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May - October 2024

GROUNDWAVES

Since 2021, Groundwaves has gathered MCs from across the region with legendary West Coast rapper Murs for six-month seasons of community, creative collaboration, and career development. Open mics and cyphers, one-on-one mentorship with Murs, “best of” regional showcases, and national festival performance opportunities – all have combined to help Northwest Arkansas artists up their game via regular collaboration and constructive critique.


Groundwaves is free to participate in, and open to any MC or beatmaker who wants to work with mentors and peers in the hip-hop community. Audience members are also welcome to attend, even if they are not planning to perform (fair warning: some are so moved by the friendly vibe they end up performing anyway). 

Visit the Website

01.

GET TO KNOW MURS

02.

MEET THE ARTISTS

03.

2024 Groundwaves Schedule

Get to Know Murs

Murs is a West Coast rap icon and innovator. He has carved a unique path in the music industry that includes 18 solo albums, collaborations with a range of artists, from Snoop Dogg and E-40 to Mac Miller and Kendrick Lamar, and 20-plus years touring nationally and internationally. Murs is the founder of Paid Dues—the most successful independent rap festival—and of Groundwaves, a national music mentorship and artist development platform active in three states.

Hear Murs Talk About Groundwaves

Meet the Artists

“Groundwaves has helped me bring my songs to life and for them to do more than just sit on a streaming site. The community and connections have been incredible.”

Kevin Contra

Listen to the official Groundwaves Spotify Playlist

2024 Groundwaves Schedule

Sign-ups begin in person at 5 pm the day of the open mic. Performances begin at 6 pm. All open mic nights are held at The Medium.

May 7, June 4, July 9, August 6, September 3, October 1 

May 7, June 4, July 9, August 6, September 3, October 1 

Meet the Team

JOHN WAYNE PHARR

John Wayne is a Filipino-American who has spent half of his life on opposite sides of the world. But no matter where he has been, he has always had an innate desire to make sounds and capture them. He began his musical journey as an avid listener, which then progressed into learning to become a keyboardist, a choir member, and finally a self-taught guitarist.

Contact John

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