Rules

AFRICA.ROCKS presents Soundcheck – Official Rules

Overview

1. AFRICA.ROCKS presents Soundcheck is a video-based showcase and competition for bands based in Africa.
2. The format is built around live rehearsal, a real soundcheck or practice performances filmed specially for the project.
3. The process has two rounds:
   a. an open submission round, followed by a public vote to select 5 finalists;
   b. a final round, in which the 5 finalists submit a second video with a different song, after which a 5-person jury selects the winner.
4. The winner will receive a cash prize of USD 250.

Eligibility

5. The competition is open to bands based in Africa.
6. Unsigned bands are eligible.
7. Signed bands are also eligible, provided their current label is based in Africa.
8. A past release through an international label does not make a band ineligible, provided the band is not currently signed to a label based outside Africa.
9. Solo artists are not eligible unless they enter as a clearly defined band project approved by AFRICA.ROCKS.
10. Each band may submit one entry only in the first round.
11. Bands must provide accurate contact details and respond to reasonable requests for verification if asked by AFRICA.ROCKS.

Entry requirements – First round

12. The first-round entry must be one original song performed live in rehearsal, soundcheck, practice, or a similar band setting.
13. The ideal length is under 5 minutes. We know some genres need more time, so we will still accept longer videos, but we encourage bands to adapt the track to the Soundcheck setting and reduce its length where possible. If they choose not to, we fully respect their artistic control and whatever works best for the song.
14. The video must be newly created for Soundcheck.
15. Previously uploaded videos are not allowed.
16. Music videos, lyric videos, studio tracks placed over rehearsal footage, or any submission that does not represent a real live band performance are not allowed.
17. At the start of the video, the band must clearly say:
    “AFRICA.ROCKS presents Soundcheck”.
18. Each first-round entry must be submitted in the format and by the deadline announced by AFRICA.ROCKS.

Video and audio rules

19. The submitted video may include multiple camera shots, angles, or edits.
20. However, the audio must come from one single continuous live performance.
21. The audio may be recorded using microphones, audio interfaces, external recording devices, and computer software for enhancement, cleanup, balancing, or mixing.
22. This means bands may improve the sound technically, provided the audio still comes from one real live take.
23. The following are not allowed:
    a. stitching together multiple audio takes;
    b. replacing parts of the performance afterwards;
    c. adding studio-recorded instruments or vocals after the fact;
    d. presenting a non-live recording as if it were live.
24. AFRICA.ROCKS reserves the right to ask for clarification if there is doubt about whether a submission meets the single-take audio rule.

Public vote – Selection of finalists

25. All valid first-round entries will be published or presented by AFRICA.ROCKS for the public voting stage.
26. The public vote will take place only through the official AFRICA.ROCKS voting system or website.
27. Likes, comments, shares, reposts, views, or reactions on social media do not count as votes.
28. Bands are encouraged to promote their entries and direct supporters to the official AFRICA.ROCKS voting page.
29. Voting is open worldwide. People from any country may vote.
30. At the end of the voting period, the 5 bands with the highest valid public vote totals will become the official finalists.
31. For transparency, AFRICA.ROCKS may publish the final percentages or totals of the public vote after the voting round closes.
32. AFRICA.ROCKS may remove invalid, suspicious, duplicate, automated, manipulated, purchased, or fraudulent votes.
33. Any band found to be directly involved in vote manipulation, false traffic, bot activity, fake accounts, or other dishonest methods may be disqualified.

Final round – Second video

34. The 5 finalists must submit a second video.
35. The second video must feature a different original song from the one used in the first round.
36. The second video must also be newly filmed for Soundcheck.
37. The same general video and audio rules apply to the second video:
    a. under 5 minutes (ideal);
    b. real live performance;
    c. multiple shots allowed;
    d. audio from one single continuous live take.
38. Finalists who fail to deliver a valid second video by the stated deadline may be removed from the competition.

Final jury and winner selection

39. The final winner will be selected by a 5-person jury.
40. The jury will include AFRICA.ROCKS and 4 invited judges, unless AFRICA.ROCKS announces a slightly different final composition before judging begins.
41. The jury will judge only the 5 finalists.
42. Each juror will rank all 5 finalists from 1st to 5th place.
43. Points will be awarded as follows:

• 1st place = 5 points
• 2nd place = 4 points
• 3rd place = 3 points
• 4th place = 2 points
• 5th place = 1 point

44. The finalist with the highest total score across all jurors will be declared the winner.
45. In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided first by the highest number of 1st-place rankings.
46. If a tie still remains, AFRICA.ROCKS will have the deciding vote.

Judging criteria

47. The jury will judge the finalists on the basis of the band and song, not on expensive production.
48. The core judging criteria are:
    a. strength of the song
    b. tightness of the performance
    c. originality / identity
49. Production value is not a main judging criterion beyond the basic requirement that the performance can be seen and heard clearly enough.

Rights and use of submitted videos

50. By entering Soundcheck, the band confirms that it has the right to submit the video and all visual material appearing in it.
51. The band retains all rights to the song, music, lyrics, and underlying composition.
52. However, by entering, the band grants AFRICA.ROCKS the exclusive online right to upload, stream, publish, and promote the submitted contest video.
53. This applies to both the first-round video and the final-round video.
54. This means that the submitted contest video may not be uploaded or streamed elsewhere by the band or by any third party unless AFRICA.ROCKS gives permission in writing.
55. AFRICA.ROCKS may use clips, screenshots, excerpts, stills, and promotional material taken from the submitted videos to promote the competition, the finalists, the winner, and related editorial coverage.
56. The exclusivity in these rules applies to the specific submitted contest video, not to the song itself. Bands remain free to perform, record, release, or otherwise use their songs separately in other forms.

Disqualification and verification

57. AFRICA.ROCKS may reject or remove any entry that is:
    a. incomplete;
    b. false or misleading;
    c. offensive or unlawful;
    d. in breach of these rules;
    e. technically unsuitable;
    f. reasonably suspected of fraud or manipulation.
58. AFRICA.ROCKS may request reasonable proof of:
    a. band identity;
    b. country base;
    c. current label situation;
    d. ownership or authorisation relating to the submitted video.
59. Failure to provide requested verification within a reasonable timeframe may result in disqualification.

Prize payment

60. The cash prize will be paid within 30 calendar days of the official winner announcement.
61. The prize will be paid as one single payment only.
62. The winning band must nominate one official representative to receive the full prize on the band’s behalf.
63. That nomination must be confirmed in writing by the winning band using its official contact details provided during entry, or by another written method accepted by AFRICA.ROCKS.
64. By nominating a representative, the winning band confirms that the nominated person is fully authorised to receive the full prize on behalf of all band members.
65. AFRICA.ROCKS will have no responsibility for how the prize is divided, shared, or used after payment has been made to the nominated representative.
66. Payment may be made by PayPal or bank transfer, subject to availability and practicality in the winner’s country.
67. Where payment is made by PayPal, AFRICA.ROCKS will cover the PayPal transaction fees so that the nominated representative receives the full stated prize amount.
68. Where payment is made by bank transfer, AFRICA.ROCKS will send the prize to the bank account details provided by the nominated representative.
69. The winning band is responsible for providing accurate and complete payment details.
70. AFRICA.ROCKS will not be responsible for delays, failed transfers, or losses caused by incorrect or incomplete information supplied by the winner.
71. Any intermediary bank charges, receiving bank charges, currency conversion costs, or local financial charges applied outside AFRICA.ROCKS’s direct control may be deducted or borne by the recipient in the case of bank transfer.
72. If the nominated representative cannot receive the payment by PayPal or bank transfer, AFRICA.ROCKS reserves the right to request an alternative eligible representative or to agree another reasonable payment method.
73. Any dispute within the winning band regarding the nominated representative or the internal division of the prize will be a matter for the band alone and will not prevent AFRICA.ROCKS from treating payment to the nominated representative as full and final discharge of its prize payment obligation.

General

74. AFRICA.ROCKS reserves the right to interpret these rules and make final decisions on matters not expressly covered by them.
75. AFRICA.ROCKS may amend, suspend, or cancel the competition if necessary because of technical, legal, operational, or integrity-related reasons.
76. Any such change will be communicated as clearly as possible through AFRICA.ROCKS channels.
77. Entry into AFRICA.ROCKS presents Soundcheck constitutes full acceptance of these rules.