Entries will be judged based on cleverness and innovativeness of lyrics, as well as melody and composition. “This contest will give new Hip-Hop talent the opportunity to develop their voices and style through music education,” said Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray. “We’re hoping to expose new voices in Hip-Hop that otherwise might not have been heard.”

Five winners will be selected by a celebrity panel of judges, including MC Lyte, DJ Jazzy Joyce, and ?uestlove of The Roots. Also judging talent will be Berklee professor Pat Pattison, assistant professor Michael Hamilton, Berklee graduate Michael “Raydar” Ellis and Berklee songwriting major Anjulie “Starz” Gonzalez.

Selected Grand Prize winners will be admitted into the 2006 Berklee Five-Week Summer Performance Program, which educates students in all aspects of performance, music theory, music technology, music business and songwriting. Tuition and room-and-board is included (valued at $5, 925).

One second place winner will receive a tuition-only scholarship ($3,595), and two runners-up will receive an online music course at Berkleemusic.com (valued between $595 and $1,250).

For complete contest rules and an entry form, visit www.essence.com/takebackthemusic or www.berklee.edu.