Legendary Hip Hip Icon Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Sharenow.com Launch Positive Rap Lyrics Contest to find the next Kings of Rap
August 12, 2008 – New York, NY – Award winning rap artist, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels in collaboration with revolutionary social network sharenow.com is launching a competitive search for the “The Kings of Rap” – a new rap song contest asking entrants to be “CREATIVE, INNOVATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL, MOTIVATIONAL and EDUCATIONAL.” It is intended to engage and inspire young people across the country to write an original rap song without glorifying violence or using profanity.
The competition kicks off September 4, 2008 and runs through November 4, 2008 (Election Day).
Ten talented winners will be announced in December 2008 and will be given the opportunity to record their winning song at WM Studios (www.wmstudios.tv ) to be included on a new “The Kings of Rap” compilation CD to be released through Next Era/Universal Music Group in 2009. All transportation to/from studio and accommodations will be provided. In addition, each winner will be featured in the making of the new “The Kings of Rap” reality show, scheduled for release in 2009.
“There are so many talented kids out there who don’t get heard or don’t get signed because they’re not controversial enough, or they’re too positive. That amazes me. The spirit of hip hop, although at times coming from despair or from the need for social justice was always about changing the world or yourself, not with a gun or with denigrating or offensive words but by being effective with your mind. Words that change, that can uplift and make people think are powerful tools but words that just talk about how much money you have or words that glorify violence are nothing but a waste of airspace. I hear certain songs that I think are so musically innovative and then I hear the words and think; ‘That’s it? Slap this or lick that? That’s what you have to say? How can you be so talented to come up with that collection of beats and yet so dumb and not have anything more interesting to say? Of course kids boast about what they have- we (Run-DMC) talked about our sneakers in My Adidas but talked about it in a context of where you can go and what we can do with it. I believe music and especially rap music can inspire people to make a difference and change the world. I want to give people that chance. And I think the timing is perfect. The contest runs until November 4th- Election Day. This is a time when everyone is talking about change and we as a country have the opportunity to make a difference. We can start by changing what we have to say to each other, and what we say to our kids through music.”
“We are delighted that DMC has chosen to use the unique ShareNow Platform to find the new Kings Of Rap,” says Ricky St. Hilaire, Chief Marketing Officer , ShareNow.com.
Competition details:
* Rap song submission must be your own original lyrics
* Lyrics must be positive and cannot include any profanity
* Entries must be 16 Bars
* Entries must be uploaded on the www.thekingsofrap.com website between September 4, 2008 and November 4, 2008.
ABOUT DARRYL MCDANIELS
Darryl McDaniels or “DMC” has been in the public eye for the past twenty-five years since forming the now legendary group Run-DMC with Joseph (Rev. Run) Simmons and the late, great Jason (Jam Master Jay) Mizell. This multi-platinum music group sold over 30 million singles and albums worldwide. It would be hard to overstate his influence on popular culture. Run-DMC were the first rappers to earn a gold album , the first to earn a platinum album ,the first to go multi-platinum , the first to have their videos played on MTV, the first to appear on “American Bandstand” and “Saturday Night Live,” and the first rap band to grace the cover of Rolling Stone and Spin. After Jay’s untimely death on October 30, 2002, DMC, released his first solo album entitled Checks, Thugs, Rock n Roll featuring the critically acclaimed single “Just Like Me” with Sarah McLaughlin, and the touching tribute to Jam Master Jay entitled “Missing My Friend.” After discovering at the age of 35 that he was adopted, he set out to find his birth mother. His poignant personal story "DMC: My Adoption Journey" the first documentary in the VH1 Rock Docs franchise, was awarded a News & Documentary Emmy for Outstanding Arts & Culture Programming in 2007.
In addition to his musical accomplishments, he is a published author. His book “King of Rock: Respect, Responsibility and My Life with Run-DMC” (St. Martins/2001) was written with Bruce Haring, and with forward by rapper/actor Will Smith. In between recording, performing and writing, DMC has become an advocate for adoption and foster kids. He is actively involved with the Felix Organization- a nonprofit organization he co-founded that promotes adoption and works with adoptees and foster children. His realization that he was one of the lucky ones who got adopted and there are kids out there that are stuck in the foster system or in poor situations prompted him to make a difference. He is also a spokesperson for Children’s Aid & Family Services and the Adoption Institute. For more information on DMC please visit www.me-dmc.com
ABOUT SHARENOW.COM
ShareNow’s vision is to become the leading social network platform for meeting and interacting with likeminded people and friends; sharing opinions and experiences; having fun and being entertained.
ShareNow is the first Lifestyle Social NetworkingTM and File Sharing platform where users can meet new people (like on MySpace), stay in touch with friends (like on Facebook), watch cool videos (like on YouTube), share photos and videos (like on Photobucket), and much more...
To learn more about the competition, visit www.thekingsofrap.com
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