We’re wrapping up the year at CPXi, which means we’re also wrapping up The Core. Better yet, we’ve “rapped” it up.
The Core was an initiative to familiarize CPXians with the company core values. Through a series of challenges and activities, employees competed for points to win a $1,000 travel voucher. And as the competition came to a close, a handful of CPXians engaged in a spontaneous Core Value rap battle. The beats were hot, but the tensions were hotter. CPXians from our New York and New Orleans (NOLA) offices battled for the best track.
Daniel Gruskin (Graphic Designer, NYC) came out of the gates first with his funky Core mix:
Then Angel Quinones (Office Services Technician, NYC) came in with the initial response:
David Fried (Team Leader of Account Management for AdReady, NYC) stepped in next. Although he initiated the core rap challenge, David stayed quiet before making his strike:
The aftershock was felt 1,300 miles away and New York could no longer contain the rhythm. Mathew Irimpen (Community Editor for Consumed Media, NOLA), Patrick Roach (Director of Media Buying for Consumed Media, NOLA) and Sean Haspel (Ad Copy and Content Specialist NOLA), a.k.a. the Hardcore Boyz, responded all the way from New Orleans with this:
Although there was technically no winner, all of the songs creatively captured the core values at CPXi and were a huge hit around the offices. When asked about his experience creating his core music, Sean Haspel said:
“I was happy to join in with Mathew and Patrick to help create the NOLA office’s rap. It all starts with our office’s (and CPXi as a whole’s) fun, open and creative atmosphere. We even exhibited the Core Value of ‘Rapid Adaptability’ in our recording of the song by improvising and playing off each other. CPXians displayed our ‘Uncommon Ability to Achieve’ by coming together to create something fun and different that speaks to the spirit of everyone involved in this special company.”
In NOLA, Sean’s music-mate, Mathew Irimpen, describes their final product, saying “the booth caught fire” when his NOLA group members “blasted a beat and recorded the track in one take on an iPhone.” “The rest is history.” But Mathew also mentioned that the need to lay down a great track was partially fueled by his group’s desire to “clap back to those inferior Nor’Eastern rappers.”
That didn’t sit well with amateur rapper, and Graphic Designer, Daniel Gruskin. He reminded the NOLA team that Nor’East rap is King: it’s the home of music icons like 50 Cent, Nas, Run D.M.C., Salt-N-Pepa, Waka Flocka Flame, Ja Rule and more. He made it clear that he and his New York co-workers didn’t have time for “those posers down South” who are “just a replication of the real deal.”
The NOLA crew wasn’t amused. They decided to respond in rhyme…
“Yall think NOLA is whack? Better watch what you’re sayin’.
Throw away the Big Apple, you know we aint playin’.”
To which the New York team answered…
“Poor little NOLA, the runt of the litter.
Stuck in Louisiana, no wonder you’re bitter.”
While there were more words shared between the groups, it was all in good fun. This organic rap battle is a testament of CPXi’s fun-loving culture and it exemplifies the company’s dedication to fostering a ‘Caring Community.’ And although The Core initiative is officially over, CPXi continues to foster it’s 6 company values every day.
To read more about the core values, follow this link to more CPXi blog posts. And if you’re interested in being apart of the CPXi family, check out the latest job postings on our site!