PH Wins Magnum Live Large Project: Pronounced “NYC MVP” by Ludacris

MCMI’s own PH took first place in TROJAN and LUDACRIS‘ rap contest called “Magnum Live Large Project 2″, which had competitions in Detroit, San Francisco, Miami and NYC. The New York one was held at Highline Ballroom, on April 4th, 2011 and pitted 16 MCs against each other, not spittin’ battle raps like they do in GrindTime, but competing in three categories: a capella verse, freestyle off the dome and performance of an original song.

For those who don’t know, PH (formerly “Pumpkinhead”) is also a GrindTimeNow battler. PH was the GrindTime East Coast President for awhile, but passed the torch to current President Poison Pen, so that he could step in the ring a few more times. He also is a 2 time Braggin’ Rites title holder, 2 time EOW MC Challenge winner, EOW Challenge of Champions winner (he went against all the other champions and came out on top), came in 2nd in the infamous BLAZE Battle and has recently won battles in the GrindTIme and KOTD (King of the DOT) leagues, so he’s versatile and can compete in multiple formats.

Trojan’s “Magnum Live Large” Project is not an MC battle, but an “EMCEE COMPETITION”. What’s cool about it is you get to freestyle and also do one of your songs. Plus you spit accapela one round, so everyone definitely hears every word of your verse, with no beat to play a factor. Whether you’re nice off the top, can write a killer verse, or are really good at putting a song together, you get a chance to put your best foot - er, rhyme – forward. Besides MCing, there also were B-Boy , Graffiti and DJ elements and even an educational panel discussion. Check out the NYC Highlights video:

The  judges for the New York event were either MC’s or C.E.O’s of reputable Hip Hop companies, from East and West, North and South, so we had people who really knew what they were listening to. There was Opio from Souls of Mischief (Cali), Prince Po from Organized Konfusion (Queens), J-Live (Philly), Danny Castro from the Legendary Lyricist Lounge (Brooklyn), Mad Illz, who reps Florida and is one of the C.E.O.’s of GrindTime, and R.A. the Rugged Man (Long Island). 14 hungry MC’s and one singer, who jumped in the contest to get some light, performed  their hearts out in hopes of winning the money and going to Miami to perform with Ludacris. The event was hosted by local host Posion Pen (GrindTime, Stronghold), and tour hosts Othello and Rahman Jamaal.

All PH’s rounds were strong, obviously, or he wouldn’t have been able to win, but the performance of his song “Oxygen” (video after the jump) really rocked the crowd. From the beat to the hook to the subject matter, the audience showed a lot of love. PH’s delivery and stage skills from years of touring the States and abroad, allowed him to tear down the stage effortlessly for the New York crowd.

Videos of PH’s song “Oxygen” that he performed live that night, plus his a capella round, both of which have not been previously released, after the jump!

Other notable artists who did their thing that night are J Ross Perrelli, Renegade, Jess James Figeroa, and Kon. All had great rounds and good audience response, but the judges felt that when all rounds were added up that PH got it. Luda came onstage and spoke congratulated all of the contestants.

“I love to see this competitiveness, it’s motivating me,” Luda told the crowd.

PH was pronounced “NYC MVP” (and given a check for $1,000) by Ludacris.

Marvwon, LMS, & Dirtbag Dan won the contest in each of the other cities. Prince EA won by online voting (people could upload a video of themselves rhyming and then there was voting on YouTube).

So, what’s next? Well, PH and the other winners will be flown out to Miami next weekend, May 28th, for  a press conference, where they will be awarded another $5,000. It will be announced that they will be opening for Ludacris and Chris Brown at SpringFest 2011 (the next day). The rest, as they say, will be history. But rest assured, MCMI cameras will follow and document PH’s Miami performance, exclusively for MCMIreport.com!

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