#vpciii

[vic-the-butcher]

"Whoremoans+Navi - GoodEnglish" by VPCRound2

[nerdcorenow]

VPC:Neals Feels Challenge

Introducing Neals tells the story of Neals, a hacker that has been "imprisoned by the The Syndicate for raging against the machine in the name of online privacy and net neutrality."  Neals is living in a near future dystopia where our freedoms, as we know them, are spiralling out of control in favor of corporate (monetary) interest. While the album is a work of fiction, the events that take place are somewhat a reflection of the modern world we are currently living in.  Through the eyes and life of Neals, YTCracker lays out the repercussions of sitting back complacent and not using your voice to stand up for what you believe in.  

Not only has Bryce had a huge impact on the technology front, he’s also had a huge impact on Nerdcore.  In an homage for everything that he has done for our communities, we at the VPC deciding that it would be only fitting to carry on his message in the form of a Vocalist Producer Challenge.  We present to you VPC: Neals Feels.

The objective of Neals Feels is to elaborate on the concept of Introducing Neals in your own San Secuestro themed track.  Unlike other Vocalist/Producer challenges, we’re removing all limits from you.  You’re not tied to the hip-hop genre, you’re not tied to rapping.  You can sing a pop song, or submit a blues song, as long as you give your song that Neals Feels.  Your song should clearly sound like it belongs in the San Secuestro universe, whether it’s a song you would hear playing on a jukebox in a punk club in the city, or an old standard being sang by a homeless drunk under the local freeway bridge.  If you can make it feel like it was pulled right out of the San Secuestro, than you should be submitting it for this challenge. As mentioned above, this is a challenge, and with a challenge comes rules.  We’re leaving the rules pretty loose on this one, but any entry submitted must adhere to the below guidelines: VPC:Neals Feels Challenge Criteria: All submissions must be original and composed by the individual/team/band entering the track

Tracks must overall sound like they belong in the San Secuestro universe - the “Neals Feels” are the most important aspect of this challenge

No loops, but sampled sound FX here and there are ok

In addition to the above challenge rules, we also suggest some additional “side quests” for your journey.  None of the below are required criteria, but they are specific aspects, challenges, and power ups that you should consider to make your entry stand out: Vocalist Side Quests: Use of alliteration Use of multisyllabic rhyme scheme Ad-libs Producer Side Quests: Write a bad-ass arpeggio without an arpeggiator Include a live instrument Create your own synth patches

Our judges are looking and scoring on very specific criteria for your tracks.  To give you the advantage in this challenge, we’re going to give a sneak preview of what they want, so you know to be ready and BRING IT IN FULL FORCE: Clear vocals Melodic Interesting harmonies, interplay between instruments, call and response Steady build-up of intensity from beginning to end Each instrument “having fun”, not just being stuck on one pattern Catchy hook/chorus if there is one – you don't have to follow an ABABCB-type pattern Good dynamic range – aim for DR10 or more Dynamic percussion Songs shouldn't overstay their welcome in terms of length

Also unlike any previous VPC challenge, we’re giving you the opportunity to approach one of our judges DURING THE PRODUCTION OF YOUR TRACK!  Amplitude Problem, responsible for the productions of multiple Introducing Neals tracks such as Fortune or Freedom and Barcade Date, is going above and beyond the call of duty to help you guys with your tracks.  Should you choose to do so, you can reach out to Juan at set points during the VPC round time frame for feedback on your works in progress.  Please note, restrictions do apply and will be confirmed on March 7th.   No contact is permitted until the full guidelines for pre-production feedback have been released on this date.  

We also further encourage original artwork to accompany your track for this challenge!  We want to see your Neals artwork.  This can be your own original artwork or artwork that you have commissioned to accompany your track. Show us your Neals! Full Rules and Regulations for the VPC:Neals Feels Challenge can be found at http://nerdcorenow.com/post/112379277531/rules-and-regulations-of-vpc-neals-feels-1 All submissions should be submitted via email by 3/28/2015 11:59 PST to [email protected]  Good luck in your war against the Syndicate!

[nerdcorenow]

Rules and Regulations of VPC:Neals Feels 1.    Team Definition and Roles

A team is comprised of any number of individuals who work together to submit a track. A team must have allocated Vocalist(s) and Producer(s) An individual may fill both roles in the competition for their team. A group/band entering must be comprised of members that working together throughout the entirety of the track, posse tracks are not allowed under the guise of a band/group The team must remain the same members through the entirety of the competition The tracks must only feature members of that team unless crediting a guest. The producer is responsible for track production and final mixing (this includes mixing vocals) The vocalist is responsible for lyrical content and delivery Roles may overlap in some instances, but there must be one person allocated to fill the primary responsibility of each role

2.    Specific Production Guidelines

No loops A small amount of sampled sound FX for effect are permitted No plagiarism*, all compositions must be original The allocated role of producer should do the final mix down including the vox The final mixdown should be as close to a professional master as possible without outsourcing All production must meet requirements of round challenge to be eligible for voting/scoring on that round All production of the track must be initiated after the announcement of that round begins No already released content will be accepted No already completed productions prior to round start will be accepted *PLEASE ENSURE YOU CLICK READ MORE FOR FULL RULES AND REGULATIONS.*

3.    Specific Vocalist Guidelines

All lyrics must be original and written and performed by team vocalist(s) unless otherwise stated in a round challenge All subject matter and round challenge requirements must be met to be eligible for voting/scoring on that round No plagiarism of lyrics will be tolerated Though this is intended to be a full song-submission challenge, each submission must have at least 16 bars (one standard verse) long to be eligible for submission All lyrical content on the track must be created after the announcement of that round begins No already released content will be accepted No already completed productions prior to round start will be accepted

4.    General Track Submission Guidelines

To be eligible for participation all teams must sign up for the competition by 3/7/2015 11:59PM PST Final tracks must be submitted by 3/28/2015 11:59PM PST Tracks should be submitted at a minimum quality of 320 kbps in both .mp3 and .wav format The failure to submit both track formats will result in disqualification from the round and no judging of the track will take place

Submission for each round should include i. Team and/or Member Names ii. Title of Track iii. Lyrics

The failure to include the above will result in your track being disqualified from judging.

Tracks must meet a minimum verse length and can be no shorter than 120 seconds as a total production No track shall be released to the public outside of the VPC approved outlets during the entirety of the competition Sharing content linking back to the VPC postings of it on your own local social media is more than encouraged.

5. General VPC III Structure

This special edition round will have a four week production period. This special edition round will have a two week judging and voting period. This special edition round will be judged by two judges with crowd vote acting as a 3rd judge. All judge scores (including the aggregated fan-vote scores) will be weighted equally and average to achieve the final score for a team on each round. Scoring will be on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest) Detailed feedback will be provided by the judges All judge scoring is final

Judges include: Bryce Case (YTCracker) Juan Irming (Amplitude Problem) Fan Vote

This is a test run VPC Round, as such, there is no official “prize” for winning this round, but hold on to your hats, our Czarina and Judges *may* have something up their sleeve for you guys later. No VPC track submissions will be allowed to be hosted on personal team member band pages (bandcamp, soundcloud, etc.) until after the release of this compilation

[nerdcorenow]

VPC III Prize Annoucement

VPCIII is coming in with a bang. For the first time in the history of the VPC, we are giving away a first, second AND third place prize!  Third place team - $250 Second place team - $500  First place team - $1000 To quote Billy Mays "BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE!"  Not only are we awarding the above three prizes, we've added an additional "Best in Round" prize. The top song from each round will earn that team a $100 prize bonus!  There you have it folks, we are giving away a grand total of $2250 to you guys, for the music you make. We are bringing you our best, now repay us by submitting absolutely nothing but yours.

[nerdcorenow]

Round One Challenge

Round One: Fandom at its Finest

Overall Theme:  Fandom is a strong part of nerdcore hip hop.  We all have our favorite movies, book series, comics, video games, etc.  As such, the first round of VPC III will be about that very fandom.  This challenge will involve you all playing in your favorite sandboxes.  Enjoy.

Work with your producer to pick your favorite game, book, comic, movie, whatever.  Your challenge is to write as either an existing character you love or an original character in a world you love.  Guidelines

This is not a biopic.  You are not performing a report on the original series of Star Wars.  You are IN the universe.  You are a part of it.  One person, whether already existing or original.  Rap from that perspective. 

This needs to be a character rap.  Think about the aspects of who you are and how you work in the universe.  What would your motivations be?  Just trying to sleep with Faye of Cowboy Beebop?  Fine, but how would she react. 

Avoid the theme of “I got transported to this place, this is crazy?” or “I’m in the Psychonauts Universe, this is what I also wanted!”  These are songs about being part of that universe, exploring its adventures and themes. 

  Producer Challenge: 

After working with your vocalist on figuring out what piece of fiction you’ll be working within, utilize aspects of that world in your production.

Guidelines

The beat either must include audio aspects of property being rapped about (such as soundtrack, sound effects, clips from the show/game/movie).  In the case of comics with no video/audio adaptations, look for appropriate material to integrate into this (fighting sound effects, melodies that feel ‘in theme’ with the property, etc).

The beat must be originally created for this competition.  If you’ve already released a Chrono Trigger mixtape of beats, and the Vocalist wants to do a CT song, sorry but we need a new one.

 Avoid just taking the theme and putting the lightest drums over it and having the theme play through start to finish.  If you choose to sample score, main theme, or soundtrack aspects, it would be best to work the production angle and re-arrange the song within itself to optimize for hip hop.  We want to hear you in the beat, not just the X-Men theme song as it was originally scored.

  Example of where this already exists in Nerdcore

Mega Ran – Splash Woman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPEa8mWxYkQ

 With clear percussion enhancement, core song editing, and obviously lyrically presented as being from the perspective of Mega Man, this is EXACTLY the type of track we’re looking for here. Again, the track doesn't HAVE to be a remix of a theme, or part of the score of the property but utilizing effects, vocal cuts, and/or an intro with adjacent subject matter works just as well. ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY [email protected] BY 11:59 ON OCTOBER 5, 2014 TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROUND.  

If you have any concerns or question please address them to [email protected]

[nerdcorenow]

VPC III Contest Dates

VPC III Contest Dates Round 1 Challenge: Sept 15th - October 5th Round 2 Challenge: October 6th - October 26th Round 3 Challenge: October 27th - November 16th Round 4 Challenge: November 17th - December 7th Round 5 Challenge: December 8th - January 5th Judging and public voting occurs the week following the end of each round. Round 1 Winner Announcement: October 13th Round 2 Winner Announcement: November 3rd Round 3 Winner Announcement: November 24th Round 4 Winner Announcement: December 15th Round 5 Winner Announcement: January 12th VPC III Winner Announcement: January 12th

[nerdcorenow]

Rules and Regulations of the Vocalist/Producer Challenge III

Rules and Regulations of the Vocalist/Producer Challenge III

  1.    Team Definition and Roles

A team is comprised of one vocalist and one producer

The team must remain the same members through the entirety of the competition

The team must remain in the same roles through the entire competition, you cannot swap roles mid-competition

The tracks must only feature members of that team unless otherwise stated.

The producer is responsible for track production and final mixing

The vocalist is responsible for lyrical content and delivery*   *the producer may “hype” (i.e. dubs, intros, shout outs) through the track   *the producer may join the vocalist on the chorus

2.    Specific Production Guidelines

Production can be samples, live instrumentation, synths, digital constructions, or a cappella (i.e. beatboxing) or any combination there-of; unless otherwise stated in a round challenge

No plagiarism*  *Samples can be used but no straight beat theft

 All production, mixing, and mastering must be performed by producer

All production must meet requirements of round challenge to be eligible for voting/scoring on that round

All production or the track must be initiated after the announcement of that round begins*   *No already released content will be accepted   *No already completed productions prior to round start will be accepted

All lyrics must be written and performed by team vocalist unless otherwise stated in a round challenge*   *The producer may do hype vocals such as shout outs, intro skits, etc.

All subject matter and round challenge requirements must be met to be eligible for voting/scoring on that round

No plagiarism of lyrics will be tolerated

Though this is intended to be a full song-submission challenge, each submission must have at least 16 bars (one standard verse) long to be eligible for submission

All lyrical content on the track must be created after the announcement of that round begins*  *No already released content will be accepted  *No already completed productions prior to round start will be accepted

4.    General Track Submission Guidelines

All tracks must be submitted by 11:59 PM PST the day the challenge round ends to [email protected]

Tracks should be submitted in .mp3 and .wav format via email

Submission for each round should include  i.    Team and/or Member Names  ii.    Title of Track  iii.    Track attached

Tracks must meet a minimum verse length and can be no shorter than 60 seconds as a total production

No track shall be released to the public outside of the VPC approved outlets during the entirety of the competition or prior to the release of the first compilation album*   *Sharing content linking back to the VPC postings of it on your own local social media is more than encouraged.

General VPC III Structure

  The third installment of the Vocalist/Producer Challenge shall last 5 rounds.

Each round will be announced on a Monday at 12:01 AM PST

Each round will have a 3-week submission period and end on a Sunday at 11:59 PM PST

They will be posted by 11:59 PM PST the next day (Monday)

Each round will then have a 1 week voting period (it will end 11:59 PM PST the following Sunday from the deadline of submission).  This will run concurrent with the announcement of the following round.

Each round will have a challenge for the producer AND a challenge for the vocalist

Each round will be judged by four judges with crowd vote acting as a 5th judge.

All judge scores (including the aggregated fan-vote scores) will be weighted equally and average to achieve the final score for a team on each round.

Scoring will be on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest)

All judge scoring is final

Judges include:

C0splay of Death*Star – deathstarhiphop.com

Will Harrison – theunheardnerd.com

K-Murdock – the-sound-samurai.com

Thomas Quinlan – handsolorecords.com

Fan Vote

Each round will receive a 1st place, “Best of Round” prize

All 5 rounds will be averaged to determine our final winners

Following the finalization of the contest, a compilation album will be released for free to the public comprised of judge-selected “best of” tracks from the entirety of the competition

This album will be a free release

Producers will keep stems of each round to provide for final mastering as needed for the VPC III Compilation album

No VPC track submissions will be allowed to be hosted on personal team member band pages (bandcamp, souncloud, etc.) until the release of this compilation

[nerdcorenow]

VPC III FAQs

VPC III FAQ

Q: So can the producer sing/rap on the hook? A: Yes.  As long as the lyrics/melody are developed by the vocalist the producer CAN sing/rap on the hook, however, there must be strong (50% or more) representation of the vocalist on the hook (unless otherwise stated on the round challenge)

Q: Can we have more than 2 team members?  Can it be one member that produces AND raps?

A: No.

Q: What about sample hooks?

A: Sample hooks are allowed.

Q: Do those samples have to be cleared?

A: No, they do not.

Q: Can we do covers?

Q: Am I disqualified if I miss a round?

A: No, in fact you are encouraged to keep going which is why we have initiated “best of round” prizes for the highest scoring team on each round.

Q: What if two teams have the same exact score?  How will “best of round” be determined then?

A: In that event the fan vote will be the tie-breaker.  Whichever received the higher score from the fan vote will be considered the winner of that round.

Q: How long will it take for the results to come in on the final winners?

A: The same time as the final round 5 scores are released.

Q: Will you repeat challenges from prior years?

A: Aspects of prior year challenges may appear in the VPC III round challenges.

Q: Will there be a guest vocalist challenge?

A: Yes. Q: Will there be eliminations?

A: No.

Q: Do I have to announce my team officially?

A: No.  Your first round submission can be your team announcement.  Make sure to follow track submission guidelines.

Q: Are the judges or organizers getting paid for this? A: Absolutely not.  The judges, administrators, and support teams are volunteering their time for this competition and are not eligible to compete or receive any compensation for their participation in this competition.  Any sponsorship money, prizes, or gifts will be invested in the promotion and rewards of the VPC III event, websites, and social media.

Q: Is there an entry fee?

A: No.

Q: What if I have other questions?  Where should I ask?

A: Please submit questions via the Nerdcore Now forums.

Q: Are their lyrical/subject constrictions? A: No, there are not.  However, understand that you are submitting this track publically.  Please use personal discretion regarding hate speech, offensive subject matter, etc.  These will not get you disqualified, but unpopular topics such as racism and homophobia are not likely to score high within the community.

Q: Do all tracks have to have rapping in them?

A: No, as long as there is a single vocalist and a single producer, a track can also be purely melodic singing if you like.  However, this still has to fall into the guidelines for track submission, meet the specific challenge of the round, and be judged in what is primarily considered a hip hop competition.

Disclaimers The VPC staff/support/judges are allowed to moderate the forum of NerdcoreNow.com, their social media groups (see Facebook and YouTube comments) and all other affiliated sites at their discretion.  This can include but is not limited to:

Deletion of offensive or aggressively negative/hurtful comments.

Spam

Off-topic conversation on it’ social media sites, platforms, and forum threads.

The VPC staff/support/judges are not liable for any copyright issues incurred related to a given team’s track submissions.  Our limited control of track promotion ends 1-month after the release of the VPC III Compilation Album.

The VPC staff/support/judges reserve the right to disqualify teams for hurtful and attacking behavior outside of the content of their musical submission tracks.

The VPC staff/support/judges reserve the right to disqualify teams for violating voting rules, creating systems to hedge/cheat the voting structure within the fan voting model, or otherwise for down-voting* other teams

Down-voting is defined as simply voting positively for one team (such as a 10) and giving 1s to the majority (over 60%) of the other teams.  You are allowed to vote competitively, but not broadly.

Repeated harassment level communications directed at a specific team or teams, or an individual.

The will be warnings before disqualification, unless caught cheating.