This month, New Orleans’ premiere monthly beat battle, local hip hop showcase and networking event, the soundCLASH hosts one of the city’s favorite local hip hop producers, Hollygrove’s own Nesby Phips as September’s special guest on Thursday, September 19. Though he has a hefty load of diverse production under his belt going back several years, Phips is perhaps most known as the beat man behind a large part of New Orleans rapper Curren$y‘s rise to fame and an official member of the JETS crew. He has also been one of OffBeat‘s Best of the Beat nominees for Best Rap / Hip Hop Artist.

New Orleans MC/producer Nesby Phips is guest at September soundCLASH.

Not only can Phips stylings be heard on Curren$y Pilot Talk I and Pilot Talk II with “Prioritize”  & “Hold On,” but you might also catch a bit of his southern swing on collaborations with the likes of national stars Wiz Khalifa, Tabi Bonney, Stalley, and local artists such as Lil Wayne, Juvenile, Dee-1, Trombone Shorty and Aaron Neville. After relocating to Atlanta for some time following Hurricane Katrina, Phips has returned home in recent years, exhibiting his MC skills with the release of his Phipstape mixtape and launching the 0017th indy recording imprint, named for his native New Orleans neighborhood; the 17th Ward, aka Hollygrove. In fact, he will present some of the hip hop artists he is showcasing on the 0017th label at this Thursday’s soundCLASH. Reem, Jay Jones and Hollygrove Mikey will take the stage with Phips at the Hi-Ho Lounge after the beat battle contestants duke it out. As usually, DJ RQaway mans the wheels of steel and Wes Beez is master of ceremonies. With Phips at the helm this month, there should be a new bar of challenges at the soundCLASH.