Jurassic 5 to perform benefit show

The music filling the air during Little 500 will be anything but ancient.\nCoinciding with the growing popularity of rap music, the IU Chapter of the Hip-Hop Congress and Zeta Beta Tau fraternity announced Tuesday that rap group Jurassic 5 will play April 19 at ZBT.\nMuch of the show's proceeds will go to benefit Bloomington United and Dance Marathon's fund to support Riley Children's Hospital, said sophomore Ross Edwards, ZBT's organizer for the show. He said he is confident the show will be a success.\n"People who are really into true hip-hop will really enjoy this show," Edwards said. "It's going to be entertaining and a great party."\nFormed in 1993 when Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee members decided to work on a track together, the six members -- four MCs and two DJs -- of the group released their first album in 1995 to critical acclaim and are touring in support of their latest album Quality Control, which was released in 2000.\nThe announcement of the show comes at the heels of the recently scheduled Nelly show April 18 as part of Little 500 week at the IU Auditorium. Opening for Jurassic 5 will be 4th Avenue Jones.\nJunior Ron Gubitz, an IDS staffer, said he had some personal connections in bringing Jurassic 5 to campus, as he became friends with the band when a fraternity he was involved with in Los Angeles hired the band to play a party. \n"Back then we were just looking for someone from the L.A. underground, and we found them and they were awesome," Gubitz said. "Now they're on MTV, but they're still the rawest, cutting-edge group out there." \nThe concert will be held from 6-9 p.m. in the parking lot of ZBT, 1500 N. Jordan Ave., and is expected to attract an enthusiastic crowd. \n"They're really energetic and carry a positive spirit," said junior Manny Cervantes, who has seen the group perform.\nThe IU Chapter of the Hip-Hop Congress, formed by Gubitz, co-sponsors the event. He said he hopes the concert will bring the Bloomington community together. \n"Interaction and communication are the key to bringing society together," Gubitz said. "We want to make society a better place."\nJunior Nate Ayers said he believes that Jurassic 5 illustrates this ideal, which he feels is growing in the rap community.\n"Jurassic 5, Black Eyed Peas -- all these bands believe in a movement," he said. "A band as big as this coming to a college shows that its more about the message then the money."\nThe group is also holding the first annual Hip-Hop Congress Awareness festival April 25 in Dunn Meadow. The event will feature a 32 MC battle-royal and a concert in the evening featuring local groups and possibly a national act to be named later, Gubitz said. The event is co-sponsored by TB Digital Productions and Holistic.\nTickets for the Jurassic 5 show are $10 and will be available Friday at ZBT or by calling 337-1592.\nMore information about the Hip-Hop Congress and these shows is available at www.hiphopcongress.com.