Fans of local hip-hop rejoice. The Soundclash – New Orleans’ premiere DJ battle, hip-hop showcase, and networking event – returns to the Hi-Ho Lounge this Friday, August 23. That’s right, that’s two battles this month. On Friday, the soundCLASH will feature a special edition DJ battle judged by local artists Tony Skratchere, DJ Black N Mild and Miami’s DJ Hurricane. New Orleans DJs OG Legs and Curren$y’s DJ E.F. Cuttin will host the evening’s proceedings, which begin at 9 p.m.

Top New Orleans disc jock, DJ E.F. Cuttin hosts Friday's DJ battle and hip-hop showcase.

The battle is organized for true competition: DJs will draw numbers and compete in head to head single-elimination style battles. If more than eight DJs sign up for the contest, there will be one two-minute preliminary round to pare the field down to eight competitors. DJs will spin five-minute sets in both the first round and the semifinal round, three minutes in the final round. The expert panel of judges will decide their favorite DJ based on originality, execution, and crowd appeal. The first place winner will receive a ProMix DJ Academy Prize Pack, a Soundclash trophy, and a $100 cash prize, while the second place winner will also win a ProMix DJ Academy Prize Pack and a $50 cash prize.

In addition to physical prizes, winners of the DJ battle will earn the respect of the soundCLASH’s stacked lineup of judges. Tony Skratchere is a NOLA DMC representative and one of the originators of the ever entertaining “yacht bounce” movement. Also a co-founder of the “yacht bounce” craze, DJ Black N Mild is a local turntable veteran who’s performed in just about every room in New Orleans since he got his start in 1995. Host E.F. Cuttin is a member of Curren$y’s Jet Life crew, performing as Spitta’s tour DJ, and can usually be found Wednesday nights at Curren$y’s Jet Lounge residency at home in The Parish at the House of Blues. It is undoubtedly participants like these that consistently make the soundCLASH the best hip-hop networking event in the city.

Miami's DJ Hurricane is the special guest DJ at this Friday's soundCLASH DJ battle.

Tickets to this Friday’s soundCLASH are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. The soundCLASH DJ Battle is sponsored in part by DJ Booth ProMix DJ Academy, Primal on Vinyl, Eupham, The Cookie Jar, Pont:Productions, The Rose Bush, OffBeat and WTUL FM.