'Worlds colliding' — Worcester Hip-Hop Congress holds court in Mechanics Hall

Sunday, the historic Mechanics Hall saw a different kind of performance to a different kind of music.  And both the venue and the performers gained a new understanding of each other.  

Up until a few weeks ago, the first meeting of the Worcester Hip-Hop Congress was originally planned for the Worcester Youth Center, which has birthed local hip-hop talent in the past, according to Megan Ross, visiting professor of music at the College of the Holy Cross and Clark University. However, when the Youth Center was flooded, she had to send up a flare, and a friend put her in contact with Kathleen Gagne, the executive director of Mechanics Hall. 

In the meeting, the director had some very fundamental questions for Ross about hip-hop — what was it, what were the core elements and what would that mean for an event held at the storied location. For Ross, this was an opportunity for an important dialogue, to dispel long-held stereotypes, further community inclusion and to explain that originally, hip-hop was a way for marginalized communities of the inner city to make themselves heard, giving them a voice on social issues.

The Hip-Hop Congress, a national movement founded in 1993, is about positive social change through hip-hop, said Ross, who is the Worcester chapter head. The WHHC, a coalition of teachers, artists and community leaders, was formed earlier this year and hopes to forge connections among colleges, the socially conscious hip-hop community and the nonprofits in Worcester.

“I want to help create a stronger narrative of hip-hop’s contribution to the culture of Worcester,” explained Ross. “Artists have been actively contributing to the positive culture, and more emphasis needs to be put on that.”

The first meeting concluded with a dance competition, where members of the local hip-hop community could show off their skills. Hosting the event was Mr. PSA, who is a “big deal in the hip-hop community,” according to Ross, and was recommended by Worcester hip-hop artist Ghost in the Machine, who serves on the board of directors.

Mr. PSA was unequivocal, “we are hip-hop — it’s a way of life, not just a thing you do, it’s not just a thing you listen to.”

Participating were 17 teams or crews with aspiring dancers of all ages. A wide circle formed where most people watched the competition. Many spectators periodically broke off to do their own moves, practicing for their time in the circle, before returning — but also because the energy was infectious. 

The competition was broken up into three rounds of five “battles” each, with the winning team moving on to the next round. Three judges, Kwikstep, Brian Pistols and Maximus, voted to decide the winner, pointing to their choice on the count of three. 

One team, 5 Deadly Venoms, was made up of mostly young kids — none older than 11 at most — and they won their battle. The overall winners of the event were a team called Floor Lords, comprising Alex El Nino Diaz, Alfred Flo Roc Hibbert, Alan A-1 Kuang, Jon Jumpz Martey and Isaiah Arsonal Ramos. Misha “Cachief” Goldy of the Sauce Squad and John "Robinhood” Robbins of Lawtown Assassins took home the prizes for footwork and originality, respectively. 

Expanding the community is a core goal for Ross and the WHHC so having the event at Mechanic’s Hall is a major step forward in breaking down misconceptions. Ross felt that it would “send a message to the community that hip-hop is fine art.” 

While it is still a very nascent organization, having begun in January 2021, WHHC is building membership, emphasized Ross. In addition to the board of directors, they are forming committees to direct new programs as well as initiating a fall internship program, with three college interns for social media, youth education and the live hip-hop archive project.

“We are really trying to be cross-generational,” Ross said, especially with the education programs such as the summer course at the Nativity School, a community-based learning project, with Jafet Muzic. 

“Hip-hop is not synonymous with rap,” Ross said, and is only one element of it. The WHHC’s mission is to make sure that all elements of hip-hop are coalesced. The four core points are MC (rap), graffiti art, DJing and breaking (dancing). At Sunday' event, the dance competition showcased all of these, with local artists performing, a DJ on stage providing music, the dancing skills of the competitors and the prize of art by a graffiti artist for the winners. 

A core theme of hip-hop is authenticity, or “about keeping it real” and retaining one’s self-identity in the face of outside pressure. Ross is encouraged by the response to the event and that makes her optimistic about the prospects of the WHHC. 

“It can be an insight into racial and social inequality and society in general.” 

As a music scholar, Ross’s academic work has long been divided between the classics and hip-hop. She described the feeling of seeing a DJ on stage and people break dancing on the polished wood floor of Mechanics Hall under the massive chandelier as “worlds colliding.”

Or maybe it’s the birth of a whole new one.