Flow Lounge - $300 Weekly Rap Contest and Cypher

Think you’ve got what it takes to be the next Hip Hop star at Flow Lounge? Enter the contest for a chance to showcase your skills, compete for $300 in cash prizes, and make your voice heard on the issues that matter. We’re looking for passionate MCs ready to spit fire on social justice topics and push culture forward.

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How to enter

1. Fill out the form. Submit your stage name, short bio, and social links.
2. Notification. If selected for the contest lineup, you will be notified by email. Submission does not guarantee selection.

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Logistics & what to bring

• Check-in: Arrive before 9:00 PM to confirm your spot. Check-in opens at 9:00 PM; unconfirmed slots may be released to the waitlist.
• Doors open: 8:00 PM. Contest begins: 10:00 PM.
• Venue: Cali’s Sports Bar & Kitchen — 2367 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704.
• Prepare: Write two 16-bar verses to the weekly topic and beats (hooks/choruses allowed). Memorize if you can — it lands harder live; reading off your phone is allowed. You do not need to bring a track.
• Age: 18+ only.

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Contest format & voting

• Round One: 12 MCs perform.
• Voting: Each person in the crowd has three votes per round.
• Advancement: The top four vote-getters advance to Round Two (short break between rounds).
• Round Two: The audience selects three winners.
• Winner takes $150, second place gets $100, and third place walks away with $50—three shots to get paid for your pen.

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Content, conduct & recordings

• Original work only. Performances must be your own original material. Do not perform copyrighted material unless you hold the rights.
• Respect the room. Harassment, hate speech, or violent threats will result in disqualification and removal.
• Recorded & promoted. The event is filmed and used for promotion. If you do not want to be filmed, do not enter. By entering, you grant Flow Lounge and its affiliates the right to use your name, likeness, and performance in promotional materials (social media, website, event advertising).

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Selection, changes & liability

• Submission does not guarantee selection. Flow Lounge reserves the right to alter the lineup, rules, or event details and to make last-minute changes as necessary.
• Flow Lounge and its organizers are not responsible for lost, late, or misdirected entries, or for technical issues beyond our control. Participation is voluntary and at your own risk.

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Data use & privacy

• Personal information collected is used to manage contest entry and communications. You agree that we may also use your contact information and submission details to advertise Flow Lounge events online and promote future shows. We will not share your information with third parties for unrelated marketing without your consent.

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Acceptance

• Submitting the entry form constitutes acceptance of these rules and terms.

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