Cypher Univercity LLC

Cypher Univercity is a growing North Carolina-based movement rooted in freedom of expression, the improvisational arts, and the open exchange of knowledge. In traditional hip-hop canon, a cypher is a circle of lyricists and performers exchanging ideas in free verse form. Moving beyond traditional definitions, CyphU intermingles many musical and oratory arts with the original elements of hip-hop expression: emceeing, DJing, beatboxing, breakdancing, and graffiti. CyphU has expanded significantly since its formation in 2014. Originating with the NC State Cypher in Raleigh, Cypher Univercity now sponsor cyphers in five other cities across North Carolina: Greenville, Charlotte, Boone, Asheville, and Chapel Hill, four of which occur on university campuses: East Carolina University, UNC-Charlotte, Appalachian State, and UNC-Chapel Hill. The NC State Cypher is where the Cypher Univercity movement was born, becoming a nexus for the free exchange of knowledge and culture right in the middle of huge college campus. It has grown a lot since its inception in 2010, expanding from 10 person cyphers to crowds of 200+, and has served as inspiration for artists across the state of North Carolina to participate in the experience and kick off cyphers in their own home towns. Our goal is to expand this movement of free expression through the improvisational arts to college campuses and centers of knowledge across the world, showing how an open mind and open culture can manifest a positive impact in one's life.