Def Jam Rapstar Forms Groundbreaking Association with Atlantic Records UK & HMV

Def Jam Rapstar, the hotly-anticipated interactive Hip Hop video game, is proud to announce a groundbreaking association with Atlantic Records UK. The label, which has released world-renowned music from stars such as Flo-Rida, Jay-Z, T.I., Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B, Missy Elliott, Plan B and many more, will offer a record deal to the winner of Def Jam Rapstar’s nationwide search for Britain’s best new Rapper – The first time new music talent has ever been signed from a video game. Def Jam Rapstar is available now for the Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and WiiTM.

The search for a British Rapstar will launch January 1st 2011. Players will be invited to upload their performances to www.defjamrapstar.com using the games innovative freestyle mode, with this stage of the contest lasting one month (terms & conditions apply). The top UK rappers, as voted for by the community on www.defjamrapstar.com, will then be invited to battle it out live on Def Jam Rapstar’s freestyle mode at regional qualifiers, held at select HMV stores across the country during February 2011 and judged by the audience in attendance, ‘8 Mile style’.

The final ten hottest lyricists will then go bar for bar at a central London finale and judged by a panel of Hip Hop / Music aficionados (details to be announced). The winner will be crowned the Rapstar champ and signed by Atlantic Records who will then go on to release the Rapstar’s first single commercially.

HMV gamerbases and stores nationwide will be setting up Def Jam Rapstar freestyle stations from January 1st 2011 where aspiring rappers can hone their skills before entering the competition.

For more information of Def Jam Rapstar, including all tracks announced to date, please go to www.defjamrapstar.com.

To follow Def Jam Rapstar on Twitter please visit: www.twitter.com/defjamrapstaruk.

Good luck finding Britain’s next rapstar…