A recent feud within the DMV Hip-Hop community has reignited the debate over "pay-to-play" open mic events. This latest skirmish pitted rapper Chris Lee against promoter Lani Veiga (Veiga Entertainment).

                                      Open Mic Controversy:

The conflict began at a recent Veiga Entertainment show where Chris Lee was scheduled to perform. According to Mr. Lee, "The event was poorly planned. Artists were required to pay $10 at the door. The venue was nearly empty, and the sound quality was absolutely atrocious." Chris was so irate about the show that he recorded a scathing track - taking shots at Lani Veiga both personally and professionally. The song was entitled "10 Dollars Make U Famous (Veiga Entertainment Diss)".

Harmony Muzik, who was also in attendance that night, backs up Chris Lee's description of the event. Harmony recalls, "It looked poorly promoted. The sound was probably the worst I have ever heard. I was disappointed to find out that the artists were charged to perform. La Vie, Lotto, DyFor, and other established artists were on the flyer."

In response to the "Veiga Diss" track, DJ Jo'Iyce - an associate of Lani Veiga - released his own song ("The Warm Up") dissing Chris Lee.

DJ Jo'Iyce explains his involvement in this situation, "Chris came to my Facebook page and posted stuff about Lani being a scam artist. I responded that what he said was wack. So then he said something about 'I'm coming for you'." DJ Jo'Iyce continues, "If Lani is a "scam artist", she's not a very good one. I work with her and I can attest that she doesn't make a lot of money on the open mic shows. In fact, Lani is actually a booking agent - she doesn't really promote shows. Everyone was complaining about the sound, but Lani didn't have anything to do about that."

A couple of days after Lee dropped "Shots Fired", all of the parties involved spoke to each other and ended their "war of words". Chris Lee states his position, "DJ Jo'Iyce said the track I wrote was wack. So I dissed him too. Lani and him are friends, so I understand him standing up for her. My entire point of the diss track was that artists should not have to pay to perform. I hope we can all learn from this."

DJ Jo'Iyce was willing to squash the beef, but he was also prepared to continue the (lyrical) battle if neccessary, "The Warm Up was basically a freestyle", he says, "I had another track that I was about to put out called "Slaughterhouse", and it was straight ether! Most of the stuff they were saying was unnecessary. I never said Chris Lee's song was wack. I said that calling Lani a scam artist was wack."

Jo'Iyce continues, "When it comes down to paying $10 to perform: rappers don't understand that our region doesn't have the market power to support underground artists. Rappers have to bring their own crowd out to see them perform. In DC, people are not going to pay to see rappers they've never heard of - it doesn't matter who the promoter is. I hear people say stuff like, 'I've been doing this for 10 years, I'm not paying $10 to perform.' Well, I say if you've been doing this for 10 years and you're still struggling, then you should be paying $10 - because what you've been doing isn't working."

Rappers and singers work very hard writing, producing, and creating their music - and they expect to be compensated. Many musicians believe that by providing the entertainment, they should not have to pay a cover charge, or help promote the event. They see the cover charge price as "paying to perform".

On the other hand, promoters also work very hard, and they also assume the financial risk in setting up a show. Promoters usually pay up front to reserve the venue, the DJ, the sound man, and sometimes the security. Depending upon the turnout, the promoter can either make or lose money.

Many promoters feel the cover charge price is justified because they are providing the artist with a chance to not only perform, but also to market themselves. When an artist walks into the venue they have an opportunity to connect and network with local media, talent scouts, A&R's, entertainment managers, and other rappers/singers.

I spoke to one promoter who said the artists who complain about paying $10 are usually the same dudes that "rap-and-roll". Or in other words they perform their set and then leave. As opposed to sticking around, passing out business cards, giving away CD's, and making contacts.