Mission Statement

Soul Food Cypher utilizes the power of speech to transform the lives of individuals and their communities. We are an organization that showcases the positive aspects of rap through our cypher events, membership program, and community outreach. Our aim is to provide Atlanta’s lyricist (rappers) community with a safe and nurturing environment where their voice and artistry can grow. In addition, we look to solidify the art of freestyling as a genuine aesthetic to the wider artistic community and carry this rich tradition to the next generation.


The Cypher

The cypher is a community - a place where lyricist, under the guidance of meter and rhyme, share stories, exchange knowledge and speak freely. Soul Food Cypher proudly celebrates and facilitates cypher culture, and emcees are challenged and rewarded for their quick-wittedness in lyrics, depth in content, and personality in presentation.

To add to the spirit of camaraderie and display of skill, cyphers consist of a series of exercises which test an emcee’s ability of teamwork, mental agility, and creativity. These segments not only add to the fun and richness of the experience, they often pair emcees together in explosive combinations, and highlight the adeptness of participants. Writing assignments also make up a big part of the cyphers, which challenge lyricists' writing techniques and encourage exploring content outside of their comfort zone to present to their audiences. (Taken from the website.)