Despite the sub-zero weather and the snow blanketing campus, Legends will be heating things up this Friday night with the Chicago-based Latin group Banda Rika and on Saturday night with DJ Kidscratch.
Banda Rika, composed of a 10-person orquesta and a two-person front line, combines the styles of Merengue, Cumbia, Boleros, and Bachata to create a distinctive Latin flavor. The band uses a variety of instruments including brass, bongos, bass and piano, along with other backup instruments.
Banda Rika was formed in 1999, based out of Chicago's western suburbs, and originally opened for the Puerto Rican show "Grupo Kaos." For their second gig, they competed in the "Batalla de Merengue," a contest to decide who was Chicago's hottest merengue band of the year.
Although they did not win the contest, they finished second, and their involvement helped make their name. They quickly rose to the Chicagoland spotlight and are now performing in clubs, festivals, conventions and private events throughout the Chicago area.
Banda Rika was named "Chicago's Best Salsa/Merengue Band" in 2002 and "Best Suburban Latin Band" by Suburban Nightlife in 2003.
The band has also performed alongside famous Latin musicians Arturo Sandoval and Grupo Niche. The music of Banda Rika is fast, energized, and exciting. With the intensity and authenticity of their music and dance moves, the band is fun to watch.Banda Rika first came to Notre Dame in the winter of 2005 and is one of Chicago's premier Latin bands. They will perform at 10 p.m. on Friday.
Saturday night, Legends will feature DJ Kidscratch from Chicago's WPWX Power 92 Radio for possibly the biggest Hip Hop Nightclub to date.
Born in East Chicago, the half-Puerto Rican, half-Mexican Kidscratch has been DJ-ing and creating mixtapes for 14 years, making him a favorite of the Chicago club and party scene. In 2003, Chicago's WGCI radio station featured him on a weekend mix show. Only a year after winning WCGI's contest to become the new mixer, Kidscratch was offered a spot at WPWX, rising to fame at a much faster pace than most other DJs. Throughout his career he has created over 400 mixtapes, and he can be heard on the radio at least 10 times per week. Kidscratch has also significantly influenced the Chicago music scene by bringing the style of reggaeton to the forefront. Kidscratch was nominated for the Midwest DJ of the Year and Rookie DJ of the Year at the Mixshow Power Summit 2005.
His name is known throughout the country, and he has even shared the stage with names like DMX, Kanye West, Do or Die, 8ball & Mjg, Twista and Common.
