MC Challenge: A rap competition for young people in Montréal's arts centres

Last updated November 8, 2024
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Are you between the ages of 12 and 17 and want to show off your rap talent? The «MC Challenge 12-17: The Story Begins Here» is your chance to participate in a series of preparatory workshops given by rap mentors. You can also compete in front of an audience.

Did you see the French-language rap competition “La fin des faibles” on Télé-Québec? The «MC Challenge 12-17: The Story Begins Here» is a version of this competition that will be presented at the Maisons de la culture art centres in fall 2024 and winter 2025.

Prizes totalling $5,000

This competition is divided into five challenges that highlight different facets of the art of rap:

  • Freestyle: Writing an original rap song
  • Solo: Writing a complex rap with a strong or moving message
  • Improv: Presenting a concept in a spontaneous and creative way
  • MC vs. DJ: Adapting to different musical and rhythmic styles
  • Circle: Collaborating and showing cohesiveness within a group

A total of $5,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winners.

How to participate

The MC Challenge team will visit schools and community organizations in Montréal in February and March. During these visits, you will have a chance to participate in introductory workshops. You can then choose to register for the borough finals.

Register now (in French)

This fall, the «MC Challenge 12-17: The Story Begins Here» team will visit schools and community organizations in Montréal. During these visits, you will have a chance to participate in introductory workshops. You can then choose to register for the borough finals.

The finals are open to the public. They will be held in the 6 arts centres of the following boroughs:

  • Ahuntsic-Cartierville : maison de la culture Ahuntsic
  • Anjou : Centre communautaire d’Anjou
  • Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce : maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce - Monkland
  • Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles : maison de la culture Pointe-aux-Trembles
  • Rosemont–La-Petite-Patrie: maison de la culture Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie
  • Ville-Marie : maison de la culture Janine-Sutto

If you want to attend the borough finals:

View the calendar

The winners of each borough final will participate in a series of workshops led by artists from the rap community. These workshops will help them prepare for the Montréal finals, scheduled in 2025.

New this year: A contest for the best lyrics in French

A contest for the best lyrics in French will be organized in parallel with the borough competitions. The 5 finalists will be presented at the grand finale in Montréal. The winner will receive a $1,000 bursary.

  • MC challenge dans les maisons de la culture de Montréal

Popular around the world

The “End Of the Weak MC Challenge” was launched in 2000 in New York City. It has been presented in Québec since 2011. The competition unfolds in more than 25 countries on five continents. A world final takes place each year, where a world champion is crowned
This event is staged in partnership with the organization End Of the Weak. It is part of the initiative Fous du français of the Union des municipalités du Québec in collaboration with the Québec government.

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