Article published by: XXL Magazine

SRC Records CEO Steve Rifkind — who also founded Loud Records in 1992 — is launching a new “battle rap” competition for aspiring MCs on his websites Battlerap.com and Loud.com. Contestants will be able to purchase original beats by some of hip-hop’s top producers for the low price of 99 cents a piece, and create original music using online editing tools and tips provided on the two community oriented websites. User submissions will then be pitted against music from other participants in a 10-round elimination challenge that will culminate in the Battle Rap Showdown. Celebrity producers, such as Cool and Dre, Teflon and DJ Khaled, will choose the final winner who will receive a cash award of $100,000 and a recording deal with SRC Records. The competition is a joint venture between Rifkind, Loud Records co-founder Rich Isaacson and Pure Games CEO Joseph Safina. “Loud.com and Battle Rap will revolutionize the way records are made, marketed and sold,” said Safina. “Loud.com is an online community, competition, A&R site and marketing company all rolled into one. We have assembled a great team to execute our plan and are eager to get started.” Each Battle Rap contest will run for 10 weeks, with the first round kicking off on April 15.