In early March, NCF hosted the first two rounds of The NCF Cypher Sessions hosted by local hip-hop tastemakers Awthentik, Pinky Killacorn, Jason Santos, cannabis celebrity Phone Homie and Grindstone Universal owner, Grindstone. 

Through the rounds of beers, beats and freestyling our hosts crowned a total of 7 winners to advance to the Cypher finals taking place at National Cannabis Festival on September 19th. 

The first seven contestants to advance to the finals were: Shmer, DaveRob, Papercut, 90wyse, Mental Stamina, 2 Skinny Blk Guys and C-Barz. 

The COVID-19 pandemic put in-person events on hold in March, but we can’t wait to showcase the talent in our community, so we’ve decided to complete the final two qualification rounds in our search for the HIGH-est emcee in the DMV on Instagram Live!

Dates:

The first NCF Instagram Live Cypher takes place on June 1st at 8:30pm.

The second NCF Instagram Live Cypher takes place on July 17th at 8:30pm.

Do you have what it takes to be the DMV’s HIGH-est Emcee? Read below for entry details: 

• To be a considered for the Instagram Live Cypher Tournament, follow @natlcannabisfest and record a 1-minute freestyle video over the beat of Method Man and Redman’s “Da Rockwilder” and post it on your Instagram Stories and page tagging NCF and using the hashtag #NCFCypherSessions.

• Next, email streetteam@nationalcannabisfestival.com with your preferred date for participation (either July 1 or July 17) and your social media handles.

• You will be notified 5 days prior to the Cypher round about being one of our 10 featured contestants

• Each Cypher Session will have 2 hosts who determine the theme for the evening and decide performers who advance to the finals at NCF. 

• Selected contestants will be invited to join the NCF livestream at an assigned time. 

• Each Cypher Session consists of 2-3 rounds.

• Viewers who tune in can show support for contestants in the Instagram Live  comment section.

• At the end of each round, judges will select 3 finalists taking into account audience opinion in the comments section on Instagram Live. The 3 selected contestants are awarded tickets to NCF to perform on the Cypher Sessions Stage for the finals at the festival in September with a chance to be crowned The HIGH-est Emcee in the DMV!

If there you have any questions regarding the cypher or submission process please email Streetteam@nationalcannabisfestival.com