Search for hip-hop talent is back

Globally, the brand has been associated with various programmes encouraging individualism, from basketball to hip-hop. Locally, as an icon of true self-expression, it is using the hip-hop platform to unearth the country's uncontainable masters of three disciplines - dance, emcee and graffiti.

Hlukani Rikhotso, Sprite brand manager, says, "The competition affords aspiring talent an exciting and unique opportunity to engage with legends in the game and be mentored in a place which gave birth to this great art of expression. This year, we are took a new direction and went straight into auditions - in the hip-hop space, which started at the 'Back to the city' festival."

The talent search will unfold in two phases. The first phase is the national Sprite Mobile Studio activations (27 April - 20 May). These will result in the Top 24 (made up of the top eight participants in each category of the three genres), an all-encompassing mentorship workshop (16-17 July) and semi-finals, which will result in 12 semi-finalists. The South African Hip-Hop Festival in Johannesburg on 3 August 2013, will be the finals, where the three winners will be announced. The three winners will jet off to the USA in February 2014, for the annual Sprite Uncontainable Global Hip-Hop experience.

Judges return for second time

With a successful inaugural Sprite Uncontainable competition under their belts, Mernoly Simba from Masters of Rhythm, Falko the renowned graffiti artist and Reason, the award-winning rapper, will again take centre stage as experienced and talented judges.

Simba is widely recognised as the founder of the new school street dancing in South Africa. He has choreographed dance routines for the crew's performance and music videos with local and international music artist such as Hip-Hop Pantsula (HHP) and Missy Elliot.

Falko, a highly experienced graffiti artist is regarded as an integral part of the foundation and development of South Africa's graffiti scene. He created a platform in South Africa for aspiring writers.

Reason, broke into the music industry as a rapper at an early age, winning numerous street and formal rapping battles, ultimately becoming Hype Magazine's 'King of the Bedroom' and named 'Emcee of the Month' by hip-hop's first lady, Lee Kasumba in March 2006 on YFM 'Rap Activity'. He has collaborated with many of South Africa's prominent Hip-Hop artists such as AKA and Proverb.

The public will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite winners.

"Alongside every great hip-hop star is an upcoming protégé - learning the ropes of the craft in the hopes of excelling in the hip-hop School of Thought, paving a way for them," concluded Rikhotso.

For more information, go to www.spritehiphop.co.za.