LOBOTOMIX began in october 2009 with an event which was billed unassumingly as a “Hip Hop Birthday Throw-down” for founder Rashid Qandil (aka DJ Rashido). The party came together quickly after George Cowgill, owner of speakeasy agreed to let rashid have a few friends and some djs get together, play some records and celebrate his birthday.

Rashid advertised the event and invited DJs and emcees to perform and hang out. The crowd was wall to wall, and DJ Rashido and DJ Tanner performed alongside Shaheed and The Green Seed while b-boys from local crew KidsInTheCypher tore up the dance floor. When the night was over, Cowgill asked Rashid if he’d like to do it again. Eager to fulfill a need in the community as well as a personal hunger for hip hop, he agreed.

LOBOTOMIX has since evolved into a focused effort to preserve the ideals and elements of hip hop (the DJ, the emcee, the b-boy & graffiti) while fostering a historically authentic hip hop experience and providing a counter to commercial hip hop. By promoting events that showcase local and regional talent and hosting national acts on tour in the area, LOBOTOMIX provides the community with access to live emcees and DJs and provides the b-boy community with a platform to express their art.