Uniquely competitive, Waldon had carved out a niche with SF2's southwest location hosting mixers for industry players, local artists and various promotion companies all looking to gain ground in Houston. Rivera, who mostly ran the North location, felt the pressure.

"Teresa's very competitive and she'll tell employees, we'll throw an event, have something going on in the store," Rivera says. "We were intimidated, like, how do we go against Teresa?"

As the story goes, Rivera says the initial Kickback Sunday was a "chill event": Hot dogs, beer and pizza, a gathering for people to escape the work week. Rappers would come around, kick a few verses here and there. It was supposed to be a small thing to build interaction between the community at large.

"First day, we were expected 15-20 people, small," says Rivera. "Surprise, we got 80. Second Sunday 120. Third Sunday, 150. And it took off from there."

The event blossomed from its origins, becoming a fully fledged league with a signup sheet and other neat intricacies such as giveaways and prizes. The same names who dominated the list would go on to become Doughbeezy, KAB Tha Don and others, those on the next perch from perceived superstardom.

It grew to a point where it became a must-attend event on Sunday evenings for anyone connected to the industry or wanting a way in. Its preemptive break in the summer allowed for batteries to be recharged and goals to be reorganized. In the fall, Waldon took to Twitter and announced its return, finally quelling rumors of its demise.

Then she would face rumors of her own demise as well.

Come back for Part 2 on Tuesday.