FloLab - $300 Weekly Rap Contest and Cypher

FloLab is a weekly Hip Hop open mic and live rap writing contest in Berkeley created to rebuild space for real Hip Hop culture.

In an era where algorithms shape the music industry and corporate formulas dominate the airwaves, FloLab brings the culture back to the room. Every Wednesday, MCs, freestylers, writers, and Hip Hop fans gather for a live event where artists write and perform in real time, and the crowd decides who wins.

No industry gatekeepers. No algorithm chasing.

Just bars, beats, and community.

Whether you’re an MC looking for a stage or a Hip Hop fan searching for something real to do in Berkeley on a Wednesday night, FloLab is where the culture shows up.

Every week, artists compete in a live rap writing competition.

MCs receive a topic and beat, write their verse on the spot, and perform for the crowd. The audience decides who advances until one artist wins the night.

Cash Prizes
🥇 1st Place — $150
🥈 2nd Place — $100
🥉 3rd Place — $50

Win the crowd — win the money.

Want to compete?

How to enter the Flow Lounge rap contest:

1. Follow @HipHopForTheFutureSPC on Instagram
2. Check IG posts for the weekly topics and beats
3. Register to reserve your spot at HipHopForTheFuture.org
4. Read the full contest rules on the website
5. Write one verse per beat (hooks and choruses allowed)
6. Memorize your verses for the strongest performance
7. Arrive by 9 PM on ,Wednesday to secure your spot
8. Perform for the crowd — their vote decides the winner

Only 12 MC contest slots are available each week.

Looking for things to do in Berkeley on a Wednesday night?

FloLab is more than an open mic — it’s a live Hip Hop experience.

Watch artists write and perform under pressure, discover emerging rappers before they blow up, and be part of the crowd that decides who advances through each round.

Expect:
• live rap performances
• freestyle cyphers
• open mic artists
• crowd voting
• real Hip Hop culture

If you love Hip Hop, this is the place to see it live, not online.on

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cali's Sports Bar & Kitchen, 2367 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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