C.I.P.H.E.R. Symposium 2025: Best of the Best Battles

About this Event

CSUN Center for the Interdisciplinary Pursuit of Hip-Hop Elevation and Research (C.I.P.H.E.R.)

Emcees. DJs. Producers.

Watch top talent go head-to-head in epic hip-hop battles—beats, bars, and cuts that will shake the stage. As part of the 2025 C.I.P.H.E.R. Symposium, the Best of the Best Battles showcase the art, intellect, and intensity of hip-hop’s finest voices and sound architects. This is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of the global power of hip-hop to build, challenge, and connect communities.

📍 Location: Northridge Center | University Student Union (USU) | California State University, Northridge
📅 Date: April 17. 2025
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: FREE & Open to the Public

Incredible prizes and giveaways from AVID Technologies and many more!

Think you’ve got what it takes?

CLICK HERE to Register to compete in one of the most electrifying hip-hop events on campus. Bring your skills. Bring your sound. Bring your story.

More Than Music

This symposium isn’t just about showcasing talent—it’s about pushing the culture forward. Through battles and discussions alike, we’ll explore hip-hop’s capacity to build community across local, national, and global lines. From politics and social justice to commerce and art, hip-hop continues to move the world.

Special Guest Judges

• DJ Revolution
• Ras Kas
• DJ C-Los of Beat Junkies Institute
• Ciz
• Bishop Lamont
• Other Surprise Guests

Battle Breakdown and Judging Criteria

DJ Battle – Round by Round

• First Round: 16 DJs | 3-minute sets | Judged on song selection, transitions, scratching, crowd response
• Semi-Finals: 8 DJs | 4-minute sets
• Finals: 4 DJs | 5-minute head-to-head sets
  Only one will rise above the rest.

Emcee Battle – Round by Round

• First Round: 8 Emcees | 45-second, 2-round battles | Judged on lyrical ability, delivery, stage presence, crowd response
• Semi-Finals: 4 Emcees | 60-second, 2-round battles
• Finals: 2 Emcees | 60-second, 3-round showdown
  The mic doesn’t lie—who will claim the crown?

Producer Battle – Round by Round

• First Round: 8 Producers | 2 beats per battle, 60 seconds each | Judged on creativity, sound quality, originality, crowd response
• Semi-Finals: 4 Producers | 90-second beats
• Finals: 2 Producers | 3 beats each, 90 seconds per beat
  Beats will drop. Legends will rise.

About C.I.P.H.E.R.

C.I.P.H.E.R. is an innovative and community collaborative academic center that focuses on the interdisciplinary examination of Hip-Hop with particular emphasis on promoting the elevation of the culture of Hip-Hop. Housed at California State University Northridge (CSUN) in Los Angeles, C.I.P.H.E.R. fulfills this mission through interactive events that provide critical analysis of the culture of Hip-Hop, curating the oral and visual history of Hip-Hop, and documenting the socio-political impact of Hip-Hop regionally, nationally, and globally. In addition to examining Hip-Hop linkages to social movements, C.I.P.H.E.R. explores its impact on industries ranging from sports, to fashion, beverages, to arts, architecture, transportation, and technology.

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