Just about a year ago something very special started in Bermuda.

That was when Nash & Nash Productions staged their very first Highlander MC Battle. Now battling has been the backbone of Hip-Hop music since its humble beginnings in the early seventies, and many MCs have been catapulted to legendary status due to their dexterity on the battlefield.

Generally, battles are 'freestyle' affairs, which means that the lyrics that each warrior spits are expected to be made up' right on the spot! This, my friends, is not an easy thing to do.

Easy or not, the phenomenon has reached Bermuda, and our youth have been honing their skills assiduously. The popularity of these types of competitions has exploded over the past few years, with MC battles being featured on such cable TV mainstays as BET and HBO, and the battleground is where a lot of today's Hip-Hop superstars got their first big break.

None other than the phenomenally successful Eminem was discovered by Dr. Dre at an MC battle just like the one that will go down tomorrow night.

Tomorrow marks the third chapter in Bermuda's MC/Deejay battle saga. The battleground will be the New Clayhouse Inn, and the prospect of witnessing Bermuda's best freestyle poets in action against each other is too exciting for many to cope with.

You see, the first Highlander MC battle was won by the esteemed Chubby Tha Riddla, but Chubby was away in May, when the second battle was won by Thaao Dill in the Hip-Hop category. So technically, both MCs are defending champions... sorry, the anticipation is making me cease up.

Add to that scenario the skills of former runners up Scrappy and Scarface, as well as rugged warriors like Shomari and Omega, and needless to say, this battle should be the best thus far! Oh, and then there's that ridiculously huge buzz about this kid who calls himself Dungeon... perhaps this particular contest will be more akin to a war.

This contest will be divided into two considerably distinct styles... Hip-Hop (MCs or rappers) and Dancehall (Reggae Deejays or singers), and the competition is always quite stiff!

The first battle wasn't divided, and the pitting of Dancehall and Hip-Hop styles against each other seemed a bit ludicrous at times. So by the time the second battle came around, Nash decided to divide the spoils, the competition, and the respect that comes with being the champion of your chosen style.

On the Dancehall side we have the venerable champion Livewire, who will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with once again. Challengers like Star 45, Sassin Killa, Drifta and Marvelous should offer moderate resistance, but Wire will remain my favourite until I see him dethroned.

This event is a 'winner takes all' contest, and prizes will be awarded to only the champions of the respective categories... please don't bring your B game fellas! Nash & Nash Productions has stated that they are "calling all MCs" and that they "Wanna see what you got!! " so do I, fellas, so do I!

The deadline for sign up was yesterday, but there will be a late sign up at the Clayhouse tomorrow night. Latecomers must sign up before 8 p.m., and will be required to submit a $20 deposit (you will get it back after you bless the mic and battle your heart out! Or maybe you'll take the big prize... anything's possible). For further information call 298-8703 or 732-9328.

This event will be presented in association with Earthquake Entertainment (a New York Hip-Hop concern), and will feature post battle juggling by Outkast Movementz and Prophecy Sound. DJ Kid Fresh will provide the musical backdrop for the lyrical jousters, and it all kicks off at 10.30 p.m.... don't miss the early rounds!

Vejay Steede