B-boys and B-girls of UA, unite!

Starting today at 6:30 p.m. in the Modern Languages building, the Hip-Hop Collective, whose goal is to bring a new awakening to the University of Arizona community, will start to form.

Graphic design junior Cisco Tavares, the lead organizer of the new hip-hop movement, saw a specific need and began to fulfill it.

"We see lots of kids on campus who are really into hip hop and need a voice," Tavares said. "We just saw a lack of events and shows having to do with hip-hop."

Tavares had the same vision last year, but the end of last semester stunted the club's growth.

"We did a function late in the semester last year, but it ran into finals," psychology junior Jonathan Haley, the club's treasurer said. "This semester, all the returning members are back, but we never really broke up," he said.

Tavares sees this reformation as an opportunity to draw a more diverse group of people to the club.

"We want anybody to come," Tavares said. "We want as many students as possible. We want a broad multiracial base. Kids may think, 'I'm not hip-hop enough to come.' We want anybody who is into hip-hop as long as they are willing to put in work."

Tavares said the collective will participate in activities that explore all forms of hip-hop culture. For instance, a gallery event is planned, in which hip-hop artwork such as graffiti will be on display while DJs and MCs perform live.

In addition, the collective will be putting out a hip-hop compilation album, in which songs by MCs in the group and from across the United States will be included. Putting on hip-hop shows and promoting them is also on the agenda.

Tavares said that financing has come from at least two sources.

"A lot of the funding has come out of my pocket," Tavares said. "The Associated Students of the University of Arizona is willing to pay up to 30 percent of the funding, also."

Although the collective asks for a small membership fee, Tavares instructed potential members not to worry if they can't pay it.

"We have a $20 membership fee, but it's more like a donation," Tavares said. "We are not going to kick anybody out if they can't pay it."

The Hip-Hop Collective will meet on Wednesdays in room 314 of the Modern Languages building starting tonight at 6:30. The meetings will usually run about an hour. For more information, contact Tavares at 798-1768, at hc4tu@netscape.net or at www.notwithoutopposition.com/uahiphop.