The Grand Opening, given it’s name by FatRat, is attempting to offer fans of independent hip­hop artists, a chance to witness live performances by local and regional acts. After the success of Columbia Family Hip­Hop Day, Czar decided to take a shot at giving fans of the genre more of the same, just scaled down a bit. Who better to throw a hip­hop event than the man who has performed his craft in almost every venue the Soda City has to offer? From recording and producing, to performing and hosting ­ FatRat Da Czar is all things hip­hop when it comes to the state of South Carolina, making him the perfect candidate for promoting a hip­hop show that would draw and entertain fans alike.

Performing with FatRat at The Grand Opening is Charleston native Matt Monday, Baltimore, Maryland transplant BLVCK and Columbia’s own J. Carter. Matt (formerly Righchus) has been named four consecutive years as Charleston City Paper’s “Best Local Hip­Hop Artist,” and in 2013, he partnered with Bluroc and DD172 media collective which is owned and operated by Damon Dash (former CEO of Roc­a­fella Records). BLVCK, who was born in Columbia, has returned to South Carolina to pursue his music career. Recording at The Boom Room gave BLVCK’s unique sound and delivery a chance to be heard by FatRat, who engineered his latest full length project “See You Soon.” Czar did not hesitate to add BLVCK to the bill. J. Carter rounds out the lineup ­ an up and coming Columbia native, who is beginning to build a buzz, will open the show.