Off The Top Freestyle Series
These Official Rules (“Rules”) govern the operation of theCut's Off The Top Freestyle Series (“Competition”).
What is it?
One MC will be crowned the Off the Top Champ and take home $10,000! The competition hits NYC, DMV, and ATL. Each rapper gets 90 seconds to freestyle acapella style in a barber chair—just be sure to drop a bar about “theCut" for extra points.
City rounds are judged by a panel. Each city will consist of 2 rounds. 5 contestants from round 1 will be selected to particapte in a second round. Two Contestants from round 1, may be asked to face off for the final spot, if there is a tie at the end of round 1.
The second round will determine who will be announced as city finalists. The top 3 participants from the second round will be posted on our instagram for public voting. One winner will be chosen for each city by the public.
The winners of each city winners face off in the finals, voted on by the public via Instagram. The Champ will be crowned by popular vote.
Think you'll have the best bars in the shop? Lock in your spot to compete!
NYC - 4.21.2025
D.M.V. - 4.27.2025
ATL - 5.4.2025
Judging
- Competitors will be graded on a scale of 1 - 10
- Competitors will be evaluated on three categories:
- Bars: A measure of the quality of lyrics
- Flow: the rhythm, cadence, and style
- Presence: How you showcase your personality and confidence
- BONUS POINTS: Mention theCut or any of the hosts in your freestyle
How to enter
Competitors must download theCut to book and request a competition slot with the Event profile to be considered. Selected MCs will received a booking confirmation that will include details for the day of.
If there are no available spots, head to the bio section of the Event profile and text the number in the profile to get added to the waitlist.
For every region, there will be (36) pre-selected competitors. Just like a barbershops, walk-ups are welcomed.
Each competitor is invited to come at the same time, and order of participation is not determined by appointment time. You must arrive before 7pm. This is a first come, first serve event.
There will be an additional available of slots available for MCs on the waitlist either digitally or in person.
FAQs
Q: What is theCut? Do I need to download the app to enter?
A: theCut is the all-in-one platform transforming the barbershop experience. Built specifically for barbers, shop owners, and clients. Yes, you do need to download theCut to enter. Download the app and find the barber profile for the event nearest you. Then, select and book an available slot or join the waitlist.
Q: What’s included in the prize?
A: The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and an Off the Top special prize.
Q: How many times can I enter?
A: Each contestant is limited to 1 application.
Q: How will competitors be selected?
A: Each competitor will book a slot via the respective barber profile for the nearest event. Each competitor is invited to come at the same time, not determined by appointment time. You must arrive before 7pm.
Q: How is the winner selected?
A: For each region, competitors will be graded by the panel of judges. Five MC's with the highest scores will be asked to participate in a same day, second round. The top 3 scores from the second round will be considered region finalists. region finalists will be posted on instagram for public voting. The voting period will be mentioned on the post.
Based off the results of the poll, a region winner be crowned and chosen to represent their region against 2 other finalists from other cities.
The final round will be judged by the public as well. There will be 2 ways to vote for the one of the 3 finalists; via the Instagram feed post and/or directly on theCut's website. Votes on the website will count 3x an Instagram vote. The MC with the most amount of collective votes will be crowned the champ.
Q: How will the winner be notified?
A: On the entry form, there is a section to enter your phone number and email address. Once a winner is crowned, we will email, text, and call you to deliver the good news.
Q: When does the tournament end?
A: The competition kicks off on Monday, April 21, 2025 and ends on Monday, May 4, 2025.
Q: When will the winner be contacted?
A: The winner will be contacted on or around Friday, May 19th, 2025.
DEFINITIONS
In these Rules, “we”, “our”, and “us” refer to theCut and “you” and “yourself” refers to a Competition participant, or the parent/legal guardian of any minor Competition entrant. By entering you (your parent/legal guardian if you are a minor) agree to be bound by these rules.
ENTRY PERIOD
The Competition will begin with an Announcement or Scheduling period at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on Monday March 31, 2025. Selected competitors will be announced 24 hours before the Competition date for the respective region.
ELIGIBILITY
To enter, you must be a legal resident of the 50 United States (including the District of Columbia), 18 years of age or older. Minors must have consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Employees and directors of theCut Inc and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising agencies, and Sweepstakes Parties are not eligible, nor are persons involved in the execution or administration of this promotion, or the family members of each above (parents, children, siblings, spouse/domestic partners, or individuals residing in the same household). Void where prohibited.
WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Pending confirmation of eligibility, selected competitors will compete in a freestyle rap competition across 3 regions. The winner of each region will compete in the championship round. The winner of the final round will be crowned the Off the Top Champ. The grand prize winner will be notified 48 hours after the close of the competition.
The competition will end with a grand prize winner.
PRIZES
The winner will receive their Grand Prize valued at $10,000. As well as an Off the Top special prize.
The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of all prizes: $11,500
No more than the stated number of prizes will be awarded. No substitution, transfer, or assignment of prize permitted, except that theCut reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in the event the offered prize is unavailable. Prizes will be sent no later than 7 days after winner selection. Prize winners may be required to complete and return prize claim and / or tax forms (“Forms”) within the deadline stated in the winner notification. Taxes on the prize, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner, who is advised to seek independent counsel regarding the tax implications of accepting a prize. By accepting a prize, you agree that theCut may use your entry, name, video and images online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Competition without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.
GENERAL CONDITIONS AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
To the extent allowed by law, by entering you agree to release and hold harmless theCut and its respective parents, partners, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising in connection with this Competition or any prize won.
All local laws apply. The decisions of theCut are final and binding
We reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Competition for any reason, including cheating, technology failure, catastrophe, war or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that affects the integrity of this Competition, whether human or mechanical. If the integrity of the Competition cannot be restored, we may select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Sweepstakes. Rules violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and may be banned from participation in theCut Competitions.
GOVERNING LAW
This Competition will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Delaware for any disputes arising out of this Competition.
