Freestyle rap often takes the form of a “battle,” but Atlanta community organizer Alex “Cost One” Acosta prefers to think of it as a space for equal sharing of ideas. One term for collaborative freestyle rap is “cypher,” another word for “circle.” Acosta’s Soul Food Cypher invites anyone with a message to join and participate in the free expression of rap cyphers. Acosta also owns RAPPORT, an agency connecting communities with the art of the cypher. He joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to talk about his intimate connection to rap and cyphers, with a philosophy of healing, education, and inclusive expression.
Interview highlights:
How Acosta decided to create cypher experiences with intention:
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