Loud Records Selects Finalists In Competition For Label Contract

The competition is heating up for the nine finalists in Loud.com's online search for SRC/Universal Motown's next great MC.

Whittled from a group of thousands, nine finalists have been selected by LOUD.com to compete in a six-part series of tasks that will determine who receives a $100,000 prize and a recording contract with contest partner SRC/Universal Records.

Each task is designed to reveal the musicianship, marketing and entrepreneurial skills of the finalists. Challenges for the aspiring rappers include recording a song and being charged with the promotion for the track as well as handling their own video production.

"This initiative by Loud.com is closing the entrance barrier to the music industry for talented, aspiring rappers and is a great way for SRC to recruit an artist that already has the foundation for success," Steve Rifkind, founder of Loud Records, said via statement. "LOUD.com is at the forefront of the next movement in hip-hop, giving artists the tools and resources they need to create material and be heard by influencers in the industry."

As the finalists complete their tasks, they will be evaluated by a Loud.com producer, a respected manager from the hip-hop community and Steve Rifkind (founder of Loud Records, where Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep and Big Pun released numerous recordings).

Once the board selects a winner from the nine finalists, SRC Records will sign them to the label and begin the marketing and promotion process to make the winner hip-hop's next star.

Loud.com is an online competition open to all registered users. The site offers users the ability to download beats for just .99 cents (Loud producers have tracked hits for The Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, The Game, Jim Jones, Lil Jon, Rick Ross, Mary J. Blige and Kanye West, among others), then use an online recording to lay their verses down, have songs judged by celebrity producers and compete for a $100,000 cash prize and record deal with SRC.

Be sure to visit Loud.com to learn more details on the competition.