all photos: Chris Chen

The prospect of facing a day of grilling before a congressional subcommittee is enough to send most Americans into a week-long lockdown at the lawyer’s office. If you’re a hip-hop star, you throw down with a party instead.

SoundExchange hosted a small artist gathering at a private home in Chinatown on Tuesday for performers joining Nancy Sinatra in congressional testimony on Wednesday on behalf of the Performance Right Act. The Act would require FM broadcasters to grant a performance royalty for airplay. Current law grants performance royalties for cable and satellite radio, but only composer royalties for FM radio.

Hip-Hop founding legends SugarHill Gang and Whodini were among the artists at the party. Other artists included Sisqo, Dru Hill and dance divas Crystal Waters and Kristine W.

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