Hip Hop FinFest Vol. 5

Theme: Collective Care is Self Care

Submission Deadline is August 28 at 11:59pm

Grand prize is $1,000!

Will you write this year’s winning song?

But wait, there’s more…

Get entered to win a Sony ZV-1 Camera

Every student who completes a submission will be entered into a raffle to win a Sony ZV-1 Camera valued at $800!

Register for the Contest!

Get inspired by past winners!

Click on the winner’s photo to view their winning song:

Vol 4. FinFest winner DyLay (RL ByLay),
Queens NY

Vol. 3 FinFest winner !KORE,
Bronx, NY

Vol. 2 FinFest winner Breadwinna CJ, Houston, TX

Vol. 1 FinFest winner Cleo de Jay,
Los Angeles, CA

Register for the Contest!

SONY Studio in a Backpack equipment for all finalists (it’s pretty sweet):

SONY Studio in a Backpack includes:

🎶 ZV-1 Camera

🎶 Wireless Bluetooth® Shooting Grip and Tripod

🎶 WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones with Microphone

🎶 Rechargeable Battery Pack

🎶 Tough M 64GB Memory Card

🎶 Portable Bluetooth® Wireless Speaker

🎶 Shotgun Microphone

PLUS: Get entered to win

All students who complete a song submission get entered in a raffle to win a SONY ZV-1 Camera, valued at $800!

Grand Prize: $1000

PLUS:

📸 SONY Studio in a Backpack with over $1,300 of equipment

✈️ All expenses paid trip to NYC for you and a guardian, including flight, hotel, and meals

🎤Perform your winning song at the live Hip Hop FinFest Concert

🎶 Receive video feedback from our Hip Hop legend judges

2nd Place Prize: $500

PLUS:

📸 SONY Studio in a Backpack with over $1,300 of equipment

🎶 Receive video feedback from our Hip Hop legend judges

3rd Place Prize: $250

PLUS:

📸 SONY Studio in a Backpack with over $1,300 of equipment

🎶 Receive video feedback from our Hip Hop legend judges

Register for the Contest!

Contest Rules

Please reach out to smallchange@pocketschange.com if you have any questions about the contest rules below:

Must be between 12-18 years old to submit (2026 high school graduates are eligible)
Must be a resident of the United States, Canada, or Caribbean
Must submit video performance - NO audio-only submissions will be accepted.
Song must respond to one of the guiding questions provided, bonus points if the song includes content from one of the lessons
Must choose a beat provided by the competition or show proof the beat you chose is 100% original and not copywritten.
Your song must include a minimum of 2 verses and one chorus or hook.
Individual submissions only - you can put the song and music video together as a group, but it must feature a main artist who will represent the group
Absolutely no cursing or profanity allowed

Register for the Contest!

Hip Hop FinFest is:

🎵 A youth song competition where the top 3 finalists get cash prizes (1st - $1,000, 2nd - $500, and 3rd - $250) and a SONY Studio in a Backpack valued at over $1300

🎤 A community concert where the top finalist gets an all expenses paid trip to NYC and perform their song to an enthusiastic crowd

📝 A chance to have Hip Hop legends give you feedback on your music and songwriting skills

🎨 A groundbreaking arts & finance program for schools and organizations

👥 An opportunity for educators to connect with their students on a deeper level

💸 A program that puts youth front and center as the voices of tomorrow on one of the most crucial topics in our lives: MONEY