Mic Drop'd Artist Search

1. Competition Timeline

• Registration OpensJune 29, 2026
• Submission DeadlineTo be announced
• Semi-Finalists AnnouncedTo be announced
• Finalists AnnouncedTo be announced
• Winner AnnouncementTo be announced
• Recording & ProductionBeginning August 2026

Dates are subject to change at VertiStar's discretion.

2. Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Be legally eligible to work within the United States.
• Be willing and able to travel to the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area and work as a local hire if selected.
• Possess the legal right to submit their own vocal performance.
• Complete all required registration information before submitting an entry.

Employees, contractors, judges, and immediate family members directly associated with the competition may be deemed ineligible.

3. How to Enter

1. Create your free VertiStar Creator Profile.
2. Read and accept these Official Rules.
3. Download the Official Competition Kit, which includes:
   • Reference Track
   • Instrumental Track
   • Lyrics
   • Submission Guide
   • Official Hashtags
   • Branding Guidelines
4. Record your performance using the official competition instrumental.
5. Post your performance publicly on one or more approved social media platforms using the required hashtags and by tagging VertiStar.
6. Return to VertiStar.app and complete your official submission by providing:
   • Performance URL(s)
   • Original video upload (recommended)
   • Artist information
   • Creator permissions

Submissions are not considered complete until registration has been successfully submitted through VertiStar.app.

4. Performance Requirements

All submitted performances must:

• Feature the contestant's own vocal performance.
• Use the official instrumental provided by VertiStar.
• Follow all published submission guidelines.
• Be appropriate for general audiences.
• Be free from hate speech, discriminatory language, or unlawful content.

Artists may reference the official recording for stylistic guidance, but submissions should reflect their own unique performance and interpretation.

5. Human Performance Policy

VertiStar celebrates authentic artistry. Accordingly, the following are not permitted:

• AI-generated vocals
• Voice cloning
• Synthetic singing software
• Deepfake performances

Standard audio processing such as equalization, compression, pitch correction, reverb, delay, and professional mixing are permitted provided the vocal performance remains that of the contestant.

VertiStar reserves the right to request verification of authenticity from advancing participants.

6. Judging Criteria

Entries may be evaluated based upon:

• Vocal Performance
• Musicality
• Emotional Connection
• Creativity
• Stage Presence
• Professionalism
• Audience Engagement
• Overall alignment with VertiStar productions

Judging criteria may be weighted differently throughout various competition rounds. Judges' decisions are final.

7. Competition Format

1. Round OneOpen Submission
2. Round TwoSemi-Finalists
3. Round ThreeFinalists
4. Winner SelectionFinal artist chosen

VertiStar reserves the right to modify the competition format as necessary.

8. Artist Opportunities

Selected artist(s) may receive opportunities including:

• Recording up to three professionally produced songs.
• Becoming featured vocal talent for music appearing within The Deon Winters Story.
• Appearing in Mic Drop'd performance videos.
• Participating in Sweet Truths interviews.
• Promotional photography and marketing campaigns.
• Consideration for future VertiStar productions.
• Eligibility for participation within the VertiStar Prosperity Ecosystem through separate participation agreements.

No cash prize is guaranteed. Recording opportunities, compensation, participation, travel, production schedules, and additional benefits remain subject to eligibility, production needs, availability, and execution of additional agreements.

9. Winner Responsibilities

If selected, winners should expect to:

• Travel to Atlanta, Georgia.
• Work as local hires unless otherwise approved.
• Participate in professional recording sessions.
• Participate in rehearsals.
• Participate in production meetings.
• Participate in promotional activities.
• Execute additional legal agreements including recording and participation agreements.

Failure to fulfill these responsibilities may result in selection of an alternate winner.

10. Content Rights & Permissions

By submitting an entry, participants grant VertiStar a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

• Repost submitted content.
• Share submitted performances.
• Promote the competition.
• Display submissions across VertiStar-owned platforms.

Ownership of the original performance remains with the creator unless modified through future written agreements.

11. Privacy

Information collected through the registration process may be used to:

• Contact contestants.
• Administer the competition.
• Notify participants of future VertiStar opportunities.
• Provide production updates.
• Send optional promotional communications where consent has been provided.

Participants may manage communication preferences at any time. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

12. General Conditions

VertiStar reserves the right to suspend, modify, extend, cancel, or revise any portion of the competition when necessary to protect the integrity of the competition or production.

VertiStar may disqualify any submission that:

• Violates these rules.
• Contains fraudulent information.
• Infringes upon intellectual property.
• Uses prohibited AI-generated performances.
• Fails eligibility requirements.
• Attempts to manipulate voting or engagement metrics.

13. Questions

Contact Music@VertiStar.app or visit VertiStar.app/micdropped.