Hip Hop Congress, a non-profit organization, will present “NIU: State of Mind,” at 7:30 p.m. today at the King Memorial Commons.

“It’s a showcase of hip-hop culture,” said adviser and former president Chet Gnet, senior occupational safety major.

The organization’s first major event of the semester is free to the public and will include six acts in a concert-style event that features various emcees and break-dance groups, including NIU’s own Groundhogs and The Kitchen.

“Hip-hop is viewed as very negative,” said SA member Joy Rios, senior corporate communication major. “We want to show there is actually a popular culture of art, dancing and DJ-ing underneath.”

Gnet said Hip Hop Congress tries to bring people together.

“We provide a community service by creating a positive atmosphere for hip-hop in DeKalb,” he said.

Rios said there will be an 18-and-older after-set when the showcase is over.

More information about Hip Hop Congress is available on the Web sites MySpace and Facebook.

Rios said anyone interested in hip-hop culture should stop by.

“We want positive people who want to have fun,” she said.