Video: MTN Pulse Rap Battles Launch at The Square


Latest News | 2019-09-10

MTN Uganda has launched the Pulse MTN Rap Battle (MPRB), a three months rap competition as a build up to the MTN Hip Hop awards.

The telecom giant has sponsored the MTN Hip Hop Awards for the last 3 years. However the Awards event has been an evening only engagement void of longevity and sustained engagement.

However, starting this year, The MTN Pulse Rap battles will provide a minimum of 6months engagement inclusive of production and airing of the competition that will culminate into the crowning of the overall MPRB champion and finalists.

With sponsorship rights of up to 100 million shillings,  the 12 episode televised show will be set in a battle format in various settings such as cages, streets, etc in the presence of 3 renown Hip Hop judges and super hyped host with a Hip Hop flavor with the participation of the general public especially through digital.

Commenting about the project, Hellen Kirungi, the MTN Uganda Youth segment manager said that;

“Pulse has been mainly positioned as a lifestyle proposition. Therefore, the MTN Pulse Rap Battles will further seek to inspire youth to develop their music talents as a future source of livelihood.”

Worth noting is that Uganda’s Hip Hop has grown from being only popular in High School, Karaoke and wanna-be cliques in school, to become the most loved music genre today led by the advent of Lugaflow, a type of music that accounts for almost 90% of urban music played today.

The epic rap competition will see contestants face off in the following competition categories:

Pass on the Mic: A beat is dropped in a cypher set up and each rapper is supposed to freestyle without losing the beat and passes on the mic after the given time period

Can U Handle the heat: Contestants are subjected to physical activity while rapping out

Speed TEST: Contestants are rewarded for speed and articulation

Spoke word: Contestants are challenged to write and perform spoken word

Street Concert: Challenge is set on a busy street with the objective of attracting the biggest crowds through rap

#NOFEAR challenge: Contestants are expected to rap despite physical artefacts meant to instill fear and disrupt their lyrical flow.

The MTN Hip Hop awards nite will see 16 of the competitors walk away with various prizes. The grand prize for the overall winner will be a mentorship and recording deal in addition to cash, MTN Data and talk time.

Above and beyond, the winner will be an MTN Pulse ambassador for a year and his/her music will be uploaded on to Tidal, a top music streaming app that is available to MTN customers and is owned by renowned American rapper, Jay-Z.

Aspiring rappers can take part in the competition by uploading a I minutevideo of them rapping on: pulse.mtn.co.ug/rapbattles


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MTN Uganda is regulated by the Uganda Communications Commission, reachable on 0800222777 (Toll Free)