The lucky eight, plus five wild cards, will showcase their work at the Alfred Sangster auditorium in the ultimate “Riddim play-off” as they compete for a slew of exciting top prizes.

 

According to O’neil Walters, Chief Executive Officer of Sretlaw Media Company- Executive Producers and conceptualizers of the competition, the grand finale will not only showcase the competing beats but will feature full blown entertainment performances around every riddim. “You will be seeing the beats come to life around music and dance as each riddim will be accompanied by some level of recording as well as a dance created to complement the piece.”

The competition has two categories – the Club Tour – for 18- 35 year olds and the School Tour – for 13-17 year olds. Five contestants from each category will vie in a “beat-off” to walk away with top prizes of an Apple Macbook Pro complete with beat-making software valued at over $300,000; while one lucky contestant will receive a $150,000 scholarship from Excelsior Community College School of the Performing Arts.

 

Also up for grabs is a record producing contract with a major music production house.

 

Marketing Manager at Pepsi, Mitchell Watson, says he’s very pleased with not only the quality work produced by the entrants but the support received from some the island’s leading musicians and producers since the competition was launched on January 28, 2016. “We’re very grateful to those lending their time and support, namely : Robert Livingstone, CEO of Big Yard Music Group who is playing a major role by allowing the contestants to utilize Big Yard’s studio facilities , Ibo Cooper and Michael Sean Harris of Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts,  TOK’S Roshaun “Bay-C” Clarke, Taurus Riley and Fambo.”

 

He continued “Pepsi has always played a role in the growth and development of music and this partnership offers us an opportunity to further cement that relationship with the local music fraternity.”

 

Although the contest is now down to the final stretch, this is only the beginning. Sretlaw Media plans to launch the television series in 2017, taking it into the living rooms of Jamaicans at home and abroad.

Other sponsors of the Pepsi Winnin’ Riddim competition include KFC, FLOW , Excelsior Community College School of the Performing Arts, Phase Three Productions  and Sretlaw Media.

 

Viewers can watch the show LIVE on FLOW TV or via live Stream on Pepsi’s Facebook Page, Winnin Riddim’s Facebook Page or 90 degrees LIVE on Saturday, March 12 , 2016 beginning at 9:00 p.m.