Def Jam Rapstar, BET Networks and the Get Schooled Foundation announced today a video contest opened to all currently enrolled U.S. high school students aged 13-19. Students can submit a short rap or spoken word video about how education influences their life. Entrants are encouraged to express themselves and engage their peers with positive subjects including, but not limited to, their goals, going to college, school pride, motivation, or dedication.
The top five finalists will be determined by popular vote. A panel comprised of executives from Def Jam Enterprises, BET Networks and the Get Schooled Foundation will then select the winning video. The winner will win a trip to New York City to meet Russell Simmons and Kevin Liles, and the student will be invited to perform his/her winning rhyme on BET’s hit music countdown show, “106 & Park.”
Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam said, “A key motivating factors in creating Def Jam Rapstar was understanding that rap and spoken word are powerful forms of personal expression. They can be tools to ignite and spread positive messages about setting goals, learning, and following your dreams in a way that can create a ripple effect in schools and communities. We are excited to get behind this unique campaign that blends art and education.”
“Def Jam Rapstar, at its core, is all about self expression,” said Kevin Liles, President and CEO, Def Jam Enterprises. “It gives users the platform to perform on the biggest stage in the world. This partnership with Get Schooled and BET will provide further opportunities for young America to share their point of view on what issues are important to their communities, especially education. We are confident that students will create compelling, poignant content that further emphasize the importance of education and empowerment.”
Education has never been more important even as our graduation rates are stagnating. One third of students fail to graduate from high school and fewer than half of African-American males will graduate. Ensuring every young person gets the education they need to succeed will require engaging and inspiring young people using formats that Def Jam Rapstar, BET Networks and Get Schooled can deliver.
“This initiative is a great example of how content can play a great role in advancing our community’s next generation of leaders through education, the arts and empowerment,” said Sonya Lockett, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at BET Networks. “That is why the work of ‘Get Schooled’ and our ‘Next Level’ campaign is so important because it harnesses the power of our audience to address critical issues facing our young people in a manner that truly makes an impact.”
Marie Groark, Executive Director of the Get Schooled Foundation said, “There has been a great movement among education leaders over the last decade to improve high school graduation rates. Now is the time to build on those efforts by directly engaging and inspiring young people with the messengers and media that mean something to them. BET Networks and Def Jam Rapstar’s leadership through this initiative will have a significant impact on young people and be an example to others to join us in this work.”
