In the ‘90s, streetwise record labels No Limit and Cash Money put New Orleans hip-hop on the map, hustling stars such as Master P, Lil Wayne, Mystikal and Juvenile onto the mainstream radar. But as the industry evolved, the bling faded. Though it’s no secret that the game has changed, the grind, remains the same. Today, New Orleans is home to one of the country’s richest underground hip-hop scenes, once again, a diamond in the rough.

DJ RQ Away will man the wheels of steel at Soundclash's fourth anniversary concert Thursday, October 18.

In this week’s episode of OffBeat’s Look-Ka Py Py Podcast, host Zachary Young catches up with Soundclash promoter El Williams and house DJ, DJ RQ Away. Soundclash is a monthly concert series that puts aspiring rappers and producers to the test in a winner-take-all beat battle. Current climbers 3D Na’Tee and OffBeat coverboy Dee-1 (March 2012) as well as reigning underground kingpin Curren$y and co-conspirator Nesby Phips have all thrown down on the Soundclash stage. Still, there’s more to Soundclash than the music. The event, which brings in notable industry figures to judge the evening’s duels, doubles as a networking hotspot for budding local talent.

Tomorrow night (October 18), Soundclash will celebrate its fourth anniversary at Maison on Frenchmen Street where special guest, Grammy-winning producer S1 (Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyonce) will rub elbows with attendees. Word is that a few other memorable faces will be in the house, but that secret’s on lock.

The event will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. To find out more about New Orleans’ best kept secret, listen up:
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