Issue #107 – Digital Cover

Published on October 17th, 2017 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

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Live Session with #freestyle50 Challenge winner Y.K Supe

#freestyle50 hashtag challenge is a partnership between Kevin Liles of 300 Entertainment and Verizon. The Challenge is in its second season and is a unique “find a needle in a haystack” competition using social media as the platform from which auditions are presented and finalists selected. The finalists are then gathered together for the finale and a LIVE competition in front of judges and audience.

SEE Kevin Liles and London On Da Track talk #freestyle50 Challenge in New York City (Jason Bourne/The Hype Magazine)

Last year’s winner was 29-year-old rapper from Annapolis, Maryland, Tre Da Kid who beat out thousands of other lyricists to win the 2016 #freestyle50 grand prize. Tre recorded his single “Run It” – with London On Da Track and hit the stage Hot 97’s Summer Jam in New York.

#freestyle50 Challenge Winner, Y.K Supe (Photo: Verizon)

This year’s winner Y.K Supe (Twitter: @Yo_Supewas attending Alabama A&M University as a sociology and Psych major. His music dreams caused him to travel back and forth from school in Alabama to Chicago, IL to perform and shoot music videos. He also found time to work in the community working at the Boys and Girls Club and others in Huntsville.

No matter what he was doing though, he never lost focus on his music…this cat is the multi-tasker of the century in my book!

Supe entered the #freestyle50 challenge and when he found out he was selected as one of the finalists, he borrowed a car and drove for eight hours from Huntsville to the WGCI radio station in Chicago. He barely made it to the station in time to compete. That’s the official line…I can’t make this up.

Supe of course went on to win…10 Grand cash, a single deal with 300 Entertainment, the single is produced by the amazing London On Da Track and an opening spot on the label’s development tour.

Smack, Sway, Winner, Jessica, London, Kevin, Check Photo

L to R: Smack White (URL Battle League), Sway Calloway, Winner Y.K Supe, Jessica Cecile Thorpe (Verizon), London On Da Track, Kevin Liles Center: That CHECK (Photo courtesy of Verizon)

What’s his stance on his career?

Having been actively pursuing music since 2013, he truly believes that music is his calling. He wasn’t nervous at the competition because he “didn’t drive eight hours to lose.” He has been around music his whole life and remembers that, as a young boy, his mother introduced him to all the top hip-hop artists and he has been hooked ever since.

A selfless winner

Y.K Supe will give some of his earnings to his mother and invest some back into his music, using the single record opportunity to further his career. Having been actively pursuing music since 2013, he truly believes that music is his calling. He wasn’t nervous at the competition because he “didn’t drive eight hours to lose.” He has been around music his whole life and remembers that, as a young boy, his mother introduced him to all the top hip-hop artists and he has been hooked ever since.

300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles spoke via an official statement on the winner

“Y.K Supe clearly had a story to tell,” said 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles. “He surprised the judges with his talent and creativity and we look forward to welcoming him to the 300 family.”

Yup, he DOES have a story to tell and The Hype Magazine got Y.K Supe on the line to fill us in on the whole experience, his high points and the thrill of victory, etc. He’s quite inspirational as he discusses the borrowed car situation and his submission for the challenge was equally so. It’s an amazing conversation equals any other “Cinderella Story” as the reigning #freestyle50 challenge champ gets ready to step out of the tunnel to an arena eagerly awaiting fans. Tune in:

Here’s the OFFICIAL winners announcement released by 300 and Verizon:

Music Mogul Kevin Liles’ Latest Discovery Found Through National Hashtag Challenge

Chicago rapper battles 9,000 emcees to win a record deal with 300 Entertainment, $10,000 and more through Verizon’s #freestyle50challenge

Kevin Liles’ iconic hip hop label 300 Entertainment, home to such multi-platinum acts as Migos and Fetty Wap, has found its newest artist – through social media.

Chicago rapper Y.K Supe, 23, defeated eight of the nation’s top emcees at the #freestyle50 cypher, a freestyle battle tournament, in Hollywood last night to be crowned the winner of Verizon’s #freestyle50 challenge.

Y.K Supe will receive a record deal with 300, where his debut single will be produced by London On Da Track (Drake, 50 Cent), as well as $10,000 and an opening slot on the label’s upcoming Artist Development Tour.

A hashtag challenge in search of the next voice of hip hop, #freestyle50 is a partnership between Liles and Verizon that celebrates the art of freestyle rap. Launched in July, the competition became a viral phenomenon over the summer; receiving over 9,000 submissions from aspiring emcees from across the country.

“Y.K Supe clearly had a story to tell,” said 300 Entertainment CEO Kevin Liles. “He surprised the judges with his talent and creativity and we look forward to welcoming him to the 300 family.”

“The goal of #freestyle50 was to discover that one artist with the potential to be the new voice for hip hop and support them with all the tools they need to see it through,” said London On Da Track. “Y.K Supe proved he has the talent and drive. I am excited to hit the studios with him.”

Hosted by Sway Calloway and Smack White, the #freestyle50 cypher featured eight national finalists – each representing one of the country’s top hip hop cities — battling across various rounds for a shot at the grand prize.

Judges for the tournament were comprised of a panel of music industry experts including radio legend Big Boy, Tuma Basa (Spotify’s Global Programming Head of Hip Hop) and Real 92.3’s DJ A-Oh. The exclusive, invite-only event featured special performances by rising stars OMB Peezy and Cyhi the Prynce and special guest appearances by Lyor Cohen and others. The night ended with a surprise performance by rap icon Redman and Tee Grizzley. Music was provided by DJ Amen, DJ Carisma and DJ Dre Sinatra.

Redman (Photo Verizon)

Redman #freestyle50 Challenge (Photo Verizon)

Tee Girzzley #freestyle50 (Photo: Verizon)

Tee Girzzley (Photo: Verizon)

Now in its second year, the #freestyle50 challenge was inspired by Verizon’s 8GB for $50 prepaid offer available exclusively at Walmart. This year, Samsung joined #freestyle50 as an official sponsor with their J3 smartphones. Additional partners included World Star Hip Hop and Sneakercon. To enter the competition, the public was asked to post a video of themselves freestyling to Tee Grizzley’s ‘No Effort’ to Instagram or Twitter with #freestyle50challenge and @verizon and @300Ent.

Jessica Cecile Thorpe, Verizon Corporate Communications Manager, Cultural Engagement and CSR (Photo: Verizon)

“We’re excited to celebrate this lyrical art form and, through the use of technology, reinvigorate and transform lives,” said Jessica Cecile Thorpe, Verizon Corporate Communications Manager, Cultural Engagement and CSR. “After this second year, #freestyle50 continues to transcend cultures and empower communities.” Among the 7 other national finalists for Verizon’s #freestyle50 challenge were:

Finalists, Smack, London, Kevin (Photo Verizon)

Finalists, Smack White, London On Da Track, Kevin Liles (Photo Verizon)

2018 should be quite the exciting year for Y.K Supe as well, there’s magic in the halls of 300 Entertainment. Bonus: Y.K Supe – Left Hollywood (Official Video) Shot By @BjKProductions

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About the Author

Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.


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