Hip Hop comes to Algonquin slopes

Come Saturday, hip hop will be hitting the Algonquin slopes.

The 3rd Rail Jam, a tour that combines an amateur skiing and snowboarding contest with live graffiti art, a "Battle Below Zero" freestyle rap competition and hip hop music, will bring the noise to the Raging Buffalo snowboard and ski park.

Grammy-nominated rapper Slick Rick, known for the 1980s tunes "Children's Story," and "La Di Da Di," will perform at an after party at Sideouts Bar and Eatery in Island Lake.

Organizers say the goal of the event is to bring new people to the snow by taking the sports out of the resort and remixing them with hip-hop culture.

"My theory is that the more that we blend the two, I do think we are going to create a lot of first time riders," said Tim Grins, a snowboarder and a rapper who helped found the 3rd Rail Jam. "We bring people to the mountain that traditionally in the past have not come."

Participants will be competing on the slopes for cash prizes and a limited edition snowboard designed by graffiti artist Pose2.

While the mix may seem an unlikely combination, Raging Buffalo owner Keith Duck says it's something that should appeal to kids.

"We're primarily suburban, but if they can get an urban feel to something, they'll embrace it, whether it's fashion, music, anything that's off center from typical suburbia," Duck said.

Algonquin is the third stop on the 3rd Rail Jam's national tour, and the only one in the Midwest. After Algonquin, the tour moves to Brighton, Utah and Wrightwood, Calif.

"It's great that they recognize that anything really core to snowboarding that comes to the Midwest should include Raging Buffalo as one of their stops," Duck said.

Particpating in the competion, open to all ages, costs $20, but is free to watch. The afterparty costs $10. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the after party will be held at 9 p.m.

For more information, visit www.3rdrailjam.com or call Grins at (443) 801-4345.