Some might say the Collaboration's efforts are too liberated, but Atanu Bhattacharjee's (junior-economics) open nature is like a magnet that inspires hip hop fans incessantly.

Bhattacharjee, founder and coordinator of the Collaboration of Mics, has helped to bring in a variety of acts to State College through the show such as DJ J.J. Brown, who opened the Collaboration of Mics 4 Friday with an invitation for everyone to register to vote in Heritage Hall of the HUB-Robeson Center.

The session opened with anthems by Naughty by Nature, as well as Busta Rhymes. It then tapered off with old school joints by Tupac Shakur, Lost Boyz and Big Pun (Big Punisher) to name a few.

"We've lost a lot of people, we're losing way too many MC's." explained Bhattacharjee about the importance of paying respect to artists who "came before us."

While the majority of his time was spent on a stage bordered by "Rock the Vote" posters and yellow yield signs emblazoned with the phrase "Pull Over," Bhattacharjee rallied the crowd both near and from afar. He faithfully mingled with the audience the entire evening.

Shouts of "Rock the vote 2-G, ya heard?" echoed among the people.

Often, the music was overcome by shout-outs from the Collaboration's headliners, one of which was DJ Jay-Ski.

In the back of the room hung posters for gangsta rappers Trina and Rah Digga. Many students seemed comfortable leaning against pillars and casually jesting with their friends along the wall.

The registration tables were lined with advertisements for various artists and their albums under Atlantic Record's music label. Free CD's, promotional stickers and posters for LL Cool J and FUBU clothing were also available for registered voters.

Observing a dancer from afar, Mahassin Biddle (senior-hotel restaurant and institutional management) was all smiles.

"Last time I was here, I was laughing because a white guy won the rap contest. I thought it was good and I was like. . .OK, he can flow a little bit," said Biddle, reminiscing about last year's Collaboration and describing the audience as diverse.

Diversity is undoubtedly a part of the Collaboration's appeal. At about 8 p.m. Heritage Hall was three-quarters full. The crowd listened intently to MC Leo of Long Island, N.Y., better known to his Kappa Delta Rho fraternity brothers as Joseph Leo (sophomore-business administration).

The brothers of Kappa Delta Rho weren't the only ones celebrating the evening's diversity. Jordan Knott (junior-media studies) has been to two or three other Mics sessions. Knott enjoys attending the Collaboration of Mics because "usually I'm surrounded by white people. I grew up in a diverse community in Maryland."

"I'm here to see Figures of Speech. This is the only hip-hop outlet in State College. I'd like to see this be a catalyst for other groups to come like, De La Soul and Common," Knott said.

Between roll calls for people from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., Bhattacharjee encouraged the ladies to engage in hip/hop culture through dance expression. Crowd members were invited to "get loose" on stage -- and did so.

Shortly after, Glaccius, a Bronx, N.Y., artist inquired, "Where my New York heads at?" He then went on to rap about, "amazing things."

Fun seemed to be the Collaboration's focal point. Between 8:30 and 9 p.m., MC's from WPSU's Jam 91 FM radio show combined wits, talent and flavor to bust on one another's skills on and off the microphone. The audience cheered at each verbal attack.

Emil Nassar (junior-advertising-public relations) sat close by to admire his friend's performance. He scribbled his friend's name in graffiti on paper.

"The mantra of hip-hop is creating something out of nothing," he said.

Nassar, inspired by the MC Battle, explained his graffiti art as a habit.

"Hip-hop has four main elements: rapping, DJing, graffiti and break dancing."

The Collaboration's power to inspire others seemed contagious even at the voter registration tables. Soham Sen (sophomore-business administration), Penn State campus' representative for FUBU streetwear, created the "rep" position for herself.

Rap the Vote "promotes people to vote through music," said Sen, who monitored registered voters along with her friend.

Hip-hop artist Louis Logic paid his own tribute to campus life. Through his rhymes he poked fun at going to class. Although he was scheduled to perform at 8:45 p.m. he arrived an hour later and was well received by his fans.

"You know how we do the Collaboration -- ghetto style," attested a house DJ.

"We started late. It's an all night thing," said Bhattacharjee. The music kept going until 2 a.m.

Bhattacharjee was happy with the nearly 350 people who turned out for the Collaboration event.

"There will most definitely be another one in November," he said. "I would try to incorporate more females in the next show."