Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Gunner Beckering (GunnerB) and Jack Fairbairn (FlowFanatic) eagerly await The Best Kept Secret Hip Hop Showcase at New Ulm’s American Legion, Friday. Beckering (left) and Fairbairn (right) will be joined by other hip-hop artists for the show case including The BDE Boys, Hazardos, RyPy X TaVe, Beerté and Bezy.

NEW ULM — One of the best-kept musical secrets in the region is that hip-hop music has many followers.

This Friday, a special concert will be held for these loyal fans.

The show is called “The Best Kept Secret” and will be Friday, Nov. 4 at Legion Post 132 in New Ulm. The all-ages show will feature the music of seven local hip-hop artists and groups including The BDE Boys, FlowFanatic, Hazardos, GunnerB, RyPy X TaVe, Beerté and Bezy.

The concert is organized by Gunner Beckering, who performs under the stage name GunnerB. Beckering recently moved to the area from Sioux Falls, SD and wanted to organize a concert in New Ulm.

“I wanted to have more music for the youth,” Beckering said.

Since coming to New Ulm he has heard about the city’s rich musical history. He wants to tap into the younger generation’s musical interests. Beckering believed there was a market for newer styles of music, like hip-hop. Currently, there are limited options for kids to hear live music that speaks to their generation.

The name of the show “The Best Kept Secret” came from a friend’s suggestion. Beckering asked online for what to call a hip-hop show in a smaller community and a friend suggested “The Best Kept Secret”.

The show will feature local talent. Jack Fairbairn is a native of New Ulm and will be performing under the name FlowFanatic. Fairbairn is 22 years old and has been rapping since he was 14. During the pandemic, he was able to post his music online and is starting to perform live. He’s had a few live sets in the Twin Cities, but this will be the first time Fairbairn has been able to perform live in New Ulm.

“I am really excited about this,” Fairbairn said. “This is a chance to perform in my hometown.”

Beckering said this was another reason for organizing the show, to give local musicians a venue.

American Legion Club Manager Abby Dubois said she was really excited to bring a hip-hop show to downtown New Ulm.

“This is something different that the Legion has never done before,” Debois said. “It’s for all ages, not just the 20-year-olds or the 40-year-olds.”

In addition to providing musical entertainment, the performances will raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This is an important issue for Beckering. He lost his mother to suicide and has become an outspoken proponent of mental health awareness. Every show he organizes gives back to suicide prevention and helps reduce the stigma of asking for help.

“I want to reach a younger crowd with the message,” he said. “I want them to know it is okay to talk about your feelings.”

Beckering believes music is a great way to get the message out about mental health issues. He feels hip-hop could be a great conduit to spread the message. For those who can’t make the show, he wants everyone to remember the suicide prevention lifeline is available at 1-800-273-8255. A national lifeline was recently created for those in crisis. The number 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code.

Before the show, The American Legion will host a all-you-can-eat taco bar that runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $10.

Live music begins at 8:15 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $10 for the concert. At-the-door sales cost $15. A special raffle drawing for door prizes will be held during the show.

Beckering said 20% of ticket sales, 10% of taco bar sales and 100% of raffle ticket sales will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The show is intended for all ages, but at 10 p.m., the under-18 crowd will need to depart due to curfew. The show will run until midnight.