In commemoration of Soul Food Cypher’s 10 Year Anniversary, on May 15, 2022, Soul Food Cypher will premier a Here For Good Films production, an original, short-form documentary entitled ‘Off The Top’: The Roots of Soul Food Cypher. The film dives into the artform of Freestyle Rap, tying it to longer standing oral traditions and exploring Soul Food Cypher’s work to preserve and celebrate Atlanta’s Freestyle legacy as a practice to connect and heal.
The evening will also feature a screening of Will Feagins, Jr film Underexposed: Indie Hip-Hop In Atlanta which won Creative Loafing’s Critics Choice Award and the Viewers Choice Award during the 2012 ATL Short Cuts Film Contest.
Soul Food Cypher Board Member Mark “Markmont” Montgomery will serve as Master of Ceremonies with Wahid “SourceOne” Khoshravani on the ones and twos. Following the screenings, there will be a panel discussion with filmmakers Katie Hawkins, Cory Locatelli, Will Feagins, Jr., and Soul Food Cypher Executive Director Alex “Cost” Acosta and Co-Founder and Board Member Eric “Zano Bathroom” Ludgood, Jr.. The event will also feature a live Cypher and performances by Soul Food Cypher Emcees.
Founded in 2012, Soul Food Cypher has welcomed thousands of aspiring emcees at over 250 cyphers, public performances, and workshops across Metro Atlanta and beyond.
Alexander Acosta, Soul Food Cypher’s Founding Executive Director, says “After a decade of professionally producing these events, I’ve come to understand freestyle rap cyphers as one of the best platforms to authentically connect individuals, educate youth, and help individuals process trauma and heal — all while enjoying music and having fun.
Ultimately, the cypher has the potential to offer us place-keeping framework to preserve history while reimagining community building and the possibilities of an equitable society. I am thankful for this opportunity to reflect on our past ten years and celebrate what is to come.“
Tickets are limited.
All proceeds will benefit Soul Food Cypher’s ongoing programming.