Benelux Reggae Contest 2013
“For us, entering the contest as such felt as a victory. It’s free publicity for your band, lots of people check out your music and of course there’s an opportunity to reach the final. From that moment on everything felt as a dream come true. The euphoria to win the Benelux final … an unforgettable experience and a big step forward for us as a band. It’s really rewarding to see the progress that we made over this last year. Of course, entering the Benelux Reggae Contest played a major part in our journey.” (Wahwahsda, Winner BRC 2011)
“Most of all, we would like to warmly thank the organizers of the Benelux Reggae Contest for their kindness and professionalism! By winning the 2012 edition of the contest, we met a turning point with Sunrockers, for it enabled us, not only to play at most of the major summer reggae events in the Benelux, but also to launch what we hope will be a promising future! We are also thankful for all the irie vibes we felt from most of the collaborators we came across during this summer tour. Long live the Benelux Reggae Contest!” (Sunrockers, Winner BRC 2012)
So far the words of the two previous winners of the Benelux Reggae Contest. Another proof that entering the competition is not only a great experience for every band but also a real boost for your musical career.
Who can enter the contest?
The Benelux Reggae Contest is open to all bands residing in Belgium, The Netherlands or Luxemburg. Due to requests and shown interest in participating in the past two years, the organizers have decided that bands residing in bordering regions are also given the opportunity to participate. Bordering regions include: Saarland, Rheinland-Pfalz, Nordrhein-Westfahlen and Niedersachsen in Germany; Nord Pas de Calais, Picardy, Champagne, Lorraine and Alsace in France. Please Note: only residence is required, not citizenship.
All Live bands playing the following genres are accepted for the BAND-contest: reggae, dub, original ska, rocksteady, ragga, dancehall, afro-reggae, samba-reggae and reggae-latino. Only original songs are eligible, no covers will be accepted, nor versions of pre-existing riddims.
From 2013 on there will be also a MC-contest. All MC’s (deejay, singjay or singer) who bring Their own lyrics on a roots reggae, ska, dub or dancehall riddim, can enter this MC-contest.
For both contests lyrics promoting violence or discrimination of any kind will be rejected.
Registration for the Benelux Reggae Contest 2013 is free and will be possible from 1st December onwards and has to be done via our website www.beneluxreggaecontest.eu. Closing date for registration is 20th January. Applications sent after this date will not be considered.
What to win?
The winner of Band Contest will receive a package of great prizes. Here’s the (provisional) list for the 2013 edition:
Concerts at Reggae Geel Festival (Geel, B), Future Reggae Ruigoord Festival, (Amsterdam, NL) Rastaplas Festival (Zoetermeer, NL), Zwarte Cross Festival (Lichtenvoorde, NL), Kokopelli festival (Gullegem, B), Brussels Reggae Festival (Brussels, B), Democrazy (Ghent, B), Petrol (Antwerp, B), Vk* (Brussels, B) & Mekitburn Festival (Vilvoorde, B, TBC). To top this of there are several kinds of professional support (recording time, management, CD-printing) offered by Black Star Foundation, Skinfama Agency, Not Easy At All Productions & Marley’s Mellow Mood and there wille be media-coverage at reggae.be, World a Reggae and 22tracks.
Media
Reggae.be and World-A-Reggae will promote the winner on their website. A song of the winner will be included on the Dub Vibes link of the 22tracks.com website (Brussels).
Additional info on the Benelux Reggae Contest, rules of the contest and our prize package can be found on www.beneluxreggaecontest.eu.
You can enter the contest till 20th January.
VIDEO OF THE 2012 Edition
Pictures of the Kick-off Party