Time Out New York
March 10-16, 2005

War of Words
Would be rap stars go head to head at underground Fight Klub

Pure drama: Two men glaring at each other, a mic and, neatly stacked between them, $6,000, cash. Scarchild steps forward, scowls and drops a blistering, 60-second verbal assault upon his opponent, Sam Scarfo. Unfazed, Sam Scarfo fires back a one-minute rebuttal. Both address on the same themes: hustling exploits, sexual prowess and the other rapper's inadequate manhood. Round one between the two unknown rappers ends to the crowd’s chant of “Fight Klub, Fight Klub!”

Held twice a month Mondays at secret locations throughout Manhattan, Fight Klub is an underground, invite-only, MC showdown conceived and hosted by International P, a Dominican-born, South Bronx-bred 24-year-old with Russell Simmons dreams. He launched the event last spring to showcase rapping talent to the hip-hop establishment—proven MCs and record executives—and calls the show “part cockfight” and “part urban debate.” The event has already gone international, with a tour that stopped in Puerto Rico where $50,000 was on the line before heading down to Jacksonville over Super Bowl weekend. “We’re going to find the next star,” International P says confidently, “it’s a breeding ground for MCs.” (Note: Def Jam recently signed Sam Scarfo.) The battles can get pretty raw, he says, but to avoid the violence that shadows its mainstream counterpart, after each bout he makes sure opponents “shake hands in the name of hip-hop.”

The roving rap-off keeps its down-low vibe with an off-the-radar schedule—“You get the address the day it goes down,” International P says—and the only way for voyeurs to get on the list is by making a case to Dark Dimension Studios (212-279-0008). If you don’t feel like braving even a virtual velvet rope, a Fight Klub DVD will hit stores this spring and International P says he’s in talks with major record labels to put out Fight Klub CDs.

For the record, Scarchild and Sam Scarfo’s contest ends in a draw after three rounds. The judges call for overtime: Each rapper gets a turn to rhyme until he stutters or runs out of storylines. Sam Scarfo steals the show, dismissing Scar Child as “a small thug like Bushwick Bill.” He grabs the prize money and follows International P to meet some of the VIPs in attendance.—David Gerlach

© 2009 david gerlach | contact: davidgerlach at yahoo dot com