MOTOWN MIC: The Spoken Word Competition

Program Details

Motown Mic: The Spoken Word was created to pay homage to Motown Records’ Black Forum Label— a Motown spoken word label created by Berry Gordy and the Motown Corporation in the ‘70s as a venue for Black expression and education. The label served to capture the voices of African American poets and orators such as Langston Hughes, Stokely Carmichael, Elaine Brown, Ossie Davis and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose moving and inspirational “I Have A Dream” speech was recorded by the label. As Motown revolutionized the music industry, its Black Forum Label documented the social consciousness of a generation— Motown Mic: The Spoken Word is a continuation of that rich legacy.

Eligibility

• Contestants must be 16 years or older. Contestants under 18 must submit a performance release for minors signed by a parent/legal guardian.
• Contestants must be solo acts.
• If selected as a finalist, contestants must be present, in person, at Hitsville NEXT for the dress rehearsal and grand finale.  
• Motown Museum expects all performances to be family-friendly. Lyrics containing profane, vulgar or explicit sexual lyrics will not be allowed.

Employees of Motown Museum and immediate family of anyone on the judges’ panel are ineligible to apply.  

In addition, please be advised that neither Motown Museum, no their successors and assigns will pay contestants to compete at this event.  

Open Auditions

• July 15 | 6:30 – 8:30PM
• July 22 | 6:30 – 8:30PM
• July 29 | 6:30 – 8:30PM

Prizes

The Grand Prize-Winning Act will receive:

• The title of 2023 Motown MIC: The Spoken Word Artist of the Year
• $3,000 Cash Prize  
• Engagement with Motown Records Black Forum Label executives
• Published on a literary broadside through Broadside Lotus Press  
• 2 hour studio session in Hitsville NEXT Stern Recording Studio  
• Be featured in a nationally released Press Release for the Grand Finale, and be taken on a Media Tour as well as continued promotion of the winners’ achievements through our social channels, website, and e-Newsletter
• Your performance featured on the Motown Museum website and YouTube Channel  
• Opportunity to perform at various events throughout the year for Hitsville NEXT and its affiliates 

The Second Place Act will receive:

• $2,000 Cash Prize  
• Be featured in a nationally released Press Release for the Grand Finale, and be mentioned on Motown Museum’s website and social media channels 
• Opportunity to perform at various events throughout the year for Hitsville NEXT and its affiliates 

The Third Place Act will receive:

• $1,000 Cash Prize  
• Be featured in a nationally released Press Release for the Grand Finale, and be mentioned on Motown Museum’s website and social media channels  
• Opportunity to perform at various events throughout the year for Hitsville NEXT and its affiliates 

Prize Redemption Rules:

All prizes must be redeemed by the winner(s) within one year (365 days) of the Grand Prize announcement. Failure to redeem within one year will result in forfeiture of any unused portion of the prize(s).

• The prize cannot be claimed by third parties on behalf of winner(s). Unless the winner(s) is under 18, then a parent/guardian must claim the prize.
• There is no substitution, transfer or cash equivalent for prizes, except at the sole discretion of Motown Museum and its affiliates.
• Each prize is expressly limited to the item(s)/service(s) listed above and does not include taxes, gratuities or any other expenses.
• Payments of all federal, state and local taxes related to the award of the above prize(s) are solely the responsibility of the winner(s). The winner(s) will be required to complete and submit an IRS Form W-9 with the winner’s full Social Security Number or the equivalent for receipt of any prize valued at $600 or more and such winnings will be reported to the IRS. Failure to submit a completed W-9 or equivalent will result in forfeiture of prize.

The Motown Museum staff will not act as representation or management for the winning act. No contract negotiations will be made on the party’s behalf.

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