Hilltop Hoods Initiative $10000 cash incentive towards releasing your album

The HTH Initiative is a $10,000 cash incentive funded by Hilltop Hoods and APRA AMCOS to help emerging Australian Hip Hop and Soul artists to manufacture, market, and release an album. In past years the initiative was restricted to South Australian residents but since 2009 it has been made available to applicants Australia-wide. In addition to the $10,000 in funding, the winner will receive legal advice courtesy of David Vodika and Media Arts Lawyers which can be used for general legal or specific career advice, plus a Zoo York Clothing prize pack and a Love Police ATM Merch Manufacturing Start-Up Kit (to the value of $500).

via http://www.apraamcos.com.au/hth-2015

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the HTH initiative you must be:

Applicants of any age (but it is expected that you will be in the early stages of your career).
An emerging Australian based Hip Hop/Soul artist or group who has not released an album professionally/commercially
An Australian citizen or must have been a legal resident of Australia for the past two (consecutive) years.
Applicants must be an APRA member or have at least made application to join APRA AMCOS.

For more information on joining APRA AMCOS visit their join page

You are not eligible if you are:

A previous recipients of the HTH Initiative
An APRA AMCOS employee (or an immediate family member of an APRA AMCOS employee)

What is the funding for?

The grant is for costs associated with manufacturing, marketing and distributing a release of at least five original songs. This can include:

Mastering
CD artwork/design
Marketing and promotional materials
Postal and administrative costs associated directly with the project
Manufacturing

Please note, the grant does not cover:

Recording costs
Mixing costs
Merchandising (Additional $500 Love Police ATM Merch Start-Up Kit can be used for this purpose)
Equipment purchases

The Panel of Judges

A panel of judges made up of industry professionals (chosen by Hilltop Hoods) assess applications and demos then choose the recipient.

This year’s judges are:

Hau (ACT) - Artist (Koolism), Presenter (triple j’s The Hip Hop Show)
Nish (SA) - Graffiti Artist, Indigenous Community Worker, Promoter
Ran-Dee (NSW) - Manager (Def Wish Cast, NTSC), Booking Agent, Promoter
Raph (VIC) - Artist, Clothing Label Owner (Blank Clothing), Author (Behind The Beat)
Tom Thum/Tommy Illfigga (QLD) – MC, Beat Boxer, Graffiti Artist, B-boy, Producer

How do I apply?

All applications this year must be received through the online form and contain the following: :

A dropbox link with MP3 files of your demo (maximum 3 tracks)
A completed application form including bio, proposed budget and timeline.
A press shot and a group/artist logo (if applicable).

**All files must be zipped for submission and placed in a dropbox. The dropbox link will then need to be placed in your application form.
Key dates

We will begin taking applications/demos on 20 January 2015.
All applications must be received by midnight 03 March 2015.
The recipient will be announced on Tuesday 31 March 2015.

visit http://www.apraamcos.com.au/hth-2015 for more details and to apply