LOUD.COM INTRODUCES THREE NEW SEMI-FINALISTS IN THEIR $100,000 SEARCH FOR HIP HOP’S NEXT SUPERSTAR

LOUD.COM INTRODUCES THREE NEW SEMI-FINALISTS IN THEIR $100,000 SEARCH FOR HIP HOP’S NEXT SUPERSTAR

New York, NY (October 18, 2007) – Loud.com announced the second group of semi-finalists in their $100,000 on-line rap competition today. With six of the nine semi-final spots now filled, the next ten weeks will be the final opportunity members have this year to earn a chance at the money and a deal from SRC Records.

Grabbing first place and $25,000 for his efforts, North Cak emcee Drop (http://www.loud.com/dRopHotteStnNorthCak) won over the judges with a smooth, charismatic flow and an impressive following on the site. Coming in second and earning $15,000 was South Carolina’s Dirty Rap (http://www.loud.com/DirtyRap). Hailing from the Boston-area and taking the $10,000 third place prize was The Franchise King (http://www.loud.com/TheFranchise_KingMC). All three noted that they maximized the interactive features on Loud.com and used other outside web sources to increase their exposure.

“I had mad people helping me out this time around,” Franchise said. “I won a round in the first ten weeks but didn’t get picked. This time, though, we pounded the site even harder and it worked out. To be here, you have to love the culture first, with the music as an extension of that. But you also need to realize it’s a job, too. If somebody asked you if you wanted to get paid to write raps, what would you say, you know? This is how it happens.”

The Loud.com and SRC Records A&R Department review all submissions, and music from the narrowed pool of weekly winners goes through SRC’s top brass before a decision is made. Coupled with the payout of $50,000 for each semi-final round (in addition to the grand-prize winner’s $100,000 purse), the entire process speaks to the level of commitment put forward from everyone involved with the site, be it the high-profile producers, the execs in the building, or the unsigned emcees that make the site function. Co-chairman of Loud.com and hip hop pioneer Steve Rifkind commended the contestants on their efforts. As head of SRC Records, he will be the man guiding the career of the ultimate winner.

“We had some incredible submissions this round, and these are the top three that emerged,” Rifkind said. “There was a lot of debate because the voting in-house was so close, and we’re happy about that. It is a great example of commitment on both ends and, more important, it shows the direction Loud.com is moving. This is a community-first site and we expect it to produce top-notch talent. This is an exciting time for everyone.”

All three winners were featured in exclusive interviews on their respective hometown urban radio stations this past week. The Franchise King was in-studio on WJMN JAM’N 94.5 in Boston at 3pm Monday, Dirty Rap visited KTTB Hot 103.9 in Columbia at 1pm Tuesday and Drop chopped it up on WQOK K97.5 in Raleigh at 12pm Wednesday. Loud.com is currently featuring print interviews with the latest semi-finalists.

ABOUT THE WINNERS

DROP

Hailing from North Carolina, Drop is almost a throwback to the rhymesayers that dominated the game during rap’s golden era – socially conscious, sick flow and in touch with the culture. Drop fronts the FIF GANG, with FIF standing for F.irst I.n F.light (“because North Cak niggas was the first to be fly,” he says. “My passion speaks more than my lyrics. I got a song for every occasion and I’m making enough music to live eternally. I’m socially conscious. I speak on poverty, police brutality, racism, single mothers, deadbeat fathers and lack of education (in our system). When I speak, the world listens.” Drop is associated with producers that have worked with Lil Wayne and Dipset, among others, and has a mixtape out right now, “Plead Da FIF Vol. 1,” available for sale. http://www.myspace.com/dropthugafella

DIRTY RAP

At 28, Dirty Rap is no hip hop spring chicken. Splitting time between Arizona and South Carolina, he’s been around, having opened shows for Clipse, Juelz Santana, Ying Yang Twins, Devon the Dude, Twista, Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, Mack-10 and a host of others. He’s put out three solo albums and four albums with his crew, the Gnac Boys (Yak Boys). And he’s spoken to a lot of people. But what’s interesting is his unorthodox approach and perspective in making music. It’s a mature and calculated process, yet at the same time very much in the moment. Check out more of the “deep, aggressive voice and suitcase full of hope” at http://www.myspace.com/dirtyrap.

THE FRANCHISE KING

It’s pretty arrogant to call yourself The Franchise King. But like The Game and King Tip before him, Sunny Shines is more than just swagger and flow. Repping just outside Boston in Dover, NH, Franchise is quick to point out that to make the music he makes, you have to love hip hop first. First piece of evidence – instead of a biography, he lists a set of rules (see “Commandments”) about how to go about your business. He’s opened for KRS-1, has an upcoming show with Wordsmith and Rhymeswell and is getting set to drop on Boston stages this winter. His crew’s mixtape “Everybody’s Listening Vol. 1” moved over 1,000 units independently, and Vol. 2 is on its way. Get on-board at http://www.myspace.com/lovefranchise.

ABOUT LOUD.COM

LOUD.COM is an online competition, open to all registered users. Loud.com offers users the ability to download professional beats from Hip Hop’s hottest producers for just .99 cents, use a unique on-line recording tool to overlay raps over the tracks, have the songs judged by celebrity producers and compete for $100,000 and a record deal with SRC Records, home of multi Platinum, Grammy Awarding winning artist such as Akon and David Banner. LOUD producers have made hits for The Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, The Game, Jim Jones, Lil Jon, Rick Ross, Talib Kweli, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes and many more. Log on to LOUD.COM now!