Party-planner Dame Harris rounds up fellow spitboxers for hip-hop showdowns at his weekly Make It Rain Fridays party. The contest pits freestyle rappers at least 16 years old against each other, with as much as $300 going to the first-place winner. “We’re giving out money — we’re making it rain,” says Harris. For those who just want to listen, spectators can belly up to the juice bar in the booze-free Living Room while DJ B. Ward spins for the contestants. Harris counts on the party to get potential troublemakers off the streets on weekends. “You’d think they’d have more of this in Cleveland. I guess there’s nobody that has the dedication or means to do so,” says Harris. “A lot of people want something pretty much for nothing.” The contests run from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. today at the Living Room, 4828 Lorain Avenue. Admission is free. Call 216-338-4406.
Fridays, 8 p.m.-2 a.m., 2008

This article appears in Feb 20-26, 2008.