Every Monday night, the N.C. State Cypher attracts local rap music enthusiasts, including Grammy award-winning producer, 9th Wonder.
The term cypher is commonly used in the rap world and describes a group of people who take turns freestyling, or rapping unprepared verses. While contributions at State’s Cypher include spoken word poetry and singing, the poster child of the Cypher is the freestyle competition.
The Cypher, which takes place outside the Free Expression Tunnel, is an area where attendees feel comfortable sharing their musical talent in a non-judgmental environment. The voices and taunts at the Cypher might mimic the ring at a pay-per-view boxing match, but you may be surprised to find no traces of violence.
Richard Sosa, a junior in chemical engineering, goes by the rap alias, “Da Wiz,” and views the Cypher as a constructive experience.
“We just come out here and let it all go,” Sosa said. “You’re free to be creative and express what’s on your mind with these guys, no holds-barred.”
You will see a very diverse group of people when scanning the audience at the Cypher. Toby Obi-Gwacham, junior in psychology, says the Cypher is a melting pot of musical culture and describes the audience as unpredictable.
“You see students of all kinds of races, sexes, and cultures,” Obi-Gwacham said. “It’s nothing to see girls watching or even rapping in the Cypher. I remember one night I came out and saw 9th Wonder, so you never know what to expect.”
Students say Patrick Douthit, 9th Wonder, has made several appearances at the Cypher for entertainment and to scout fresh talent in the Raleigh-Durham area. Douthit is from Durham and has worked with Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Drake, Chris Brown, Destiny’s Child, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller and Ludacris among others.
Although the Cypher is not officially recognized by the University as a club or organization, it has become a popular event despite the late-night starting time of 11 p.m.
According to Obi-Gwacham, usually there is no prior preparation. He describes freestyling as an unrestricted flow of words that a rapper says as he or she thinks of them. This leap of faith to say what is on one’s mind appears to provide the thrill that most participants enjoy the most. With participants whose next words are unpredictable, viewers stay on edge, waiting patiently to hear what creative twists and rhymes come next.
To make things more interesting, participants sometimes choose to take their on-the-spot lyrics to the next level by battling other participants. Although the solo freestyle is entertaining and warrants reasonable applause, the adrenaline levels peak during a freestyle battle.
During a freestyle battle, participants scan each other from head to toe and dish out playful insults to criticize the opponent. Participants in the N.C. State Cypher usually try to keep the insults friendly and impersonal, but every now and then opponents hit each other where it hurts, lyrically.
Cameron Isler, a junior in communication, admits that freestyle battles can often be intense and are not for the weak-hearted.
“When you step into that circle and square up with the next guy, you understand that anything can be said,” Isler said. “It takes a lot of confidence to put yourself out there.”
Students at the Cypher enjoy the face-offs but appear to share a mutual understanding that lyrics are not personal attacks. The respect Cypher participants have seems to be what keeps the group in order.
“You may notice that there’s no written set of rules or structure out here,” Sosa said. “You just understand that the guy standing next to you is here to enjoy and express himself just like you are and that builds a sense of respect. “The Cypher isn’t a group of rappers, it’s a community here on campus,” Sosa explains.
