Last week, the 2020 NCF Cypher Session final qualifying round took place on Instagram Live after going on hiatus in March due to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic. Completing the final 2 cypher rounds online means that we now have 14 contestants going on to compete in the NCF Cypher Finals. Keep reading for details!

Cypher #3 - 7/1/20

Reesa Renee kicked off the third cypher by asking contestants to free-flow to the beat of their choice. 

Round 1

@DCJeromeAnthony started us off by using Wale's Fashion Week Instrumental. Next up, @Da_Real_Esh spit over Outkast's So Fresh and So Clean Instrumental followed by @Selfappointed who rapped over The Recipe by Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre. Our last contestant @Cwell669 joined by accident, but she came in hot blasting Saweetie. Her unexpected appearance and great sense of humor made her (and her husband) audience favorites. 

@DCJeromeAnthony, @Da_real_esh and @Cwell669 were clear crowd favorites after Round 1, with @Selfappointed following close behind. 

Round 2

In Round 2, Reesa introduced her original instrumental "Time Flies" as the beat all contestants used for the freestyle. The topic of Round 2 was Cannabis and the Community. @DCJeromeAnthony came and spit a verse to follow his strong first round. @Da_real_Esh was second with jay in hand and was well-received with lots of fire emojis in the livestream chat. @Selfappointed returned and he was feeling the "Time Flies" beat, ending his verse perfectly as the chorus came in. @Cwell669 came back for the second round, further establishing herself as the crowd favorite for her hysterical back and forth with her husband and with Reesa. 

The Decision

After all contestants finished Round 2, Reesa Renee asked the crowd to chime in and cast votes in the comment sectionto decide who should move on to the cypher finals.

Advancing to the finals: @Dcjeromeanthony, @Da_real_esh and @Cwell669

Watch the full Cypher #3 video here.

Cypher #4 - 7/1/20

On July 17th NCF’s Toby Dyroff teamed up with Jay Mills to host our fourth cypher competition on Instagram Live.

Round 1

Toby got things started in the first round, welcoming contestants and giving them beats and themes to spit over. First up was @Selfappointed who returned to take another shot at qualifying for the finals. He performed over 21Savage’s Bank Account Instrumental. Next, @PaulyPolo joined us with the Kodak Black Roll in Peace instrumental. The third contestant was a last-minute entry, @Aleishiamae (Ace of Spades). She was worth the wait, performing to Pop by DaBaby. @Jp_Yh had a great first round, rapping to No Flockin by Kodak Black. Finally we were joined by @Forevaahunnid who came in with the heat over Plug Walk by Rich The Kid. 

Round 2

Jay Mills stepped in to host the final allowing the contestants to pick their own beats. Jay kept the show lively, freestyling between contestants and keeping the audience engaged and entertained. She also kept contestants on their toes by switching up the performance order and challenging them to identify their own beats

@PaulyPolo was up the first contestant to perform in Round 2. He started the Round with a lot of energy and setting a high bar for those who came after. The second performer was @Aleishiamae who continued her impressive streak from Round 1, getting a big response from commenters the host. @Jp_Yh. @Selfappointed and @forevaahunnid closed out the round, leaving viewers and the judge with a hard decision.

The Decision

With so much great competition, Jay Mills asked the crowd to place votes in the comment section. @AleishiaMae and @Jp_Yh  got the most votes with @PaulyPolo taking the third qualifying spot.

Watch the full Cypher #4 video here.

The Finals - October 2020 hosted by Phone Homie

The Cypher Session Finals will now take place online in October 2020 (date TBA). All 13 of our contestants will be invited back to compete for NCF swag, VIP tickets, a chance to be a judge for the 2021 Cypher Contest and most importantly, the bragging rights and title “Highest MC in the DMV.”

Advancing to the Cypher Session Finals:

• @1vsm - Round 1 (Judges: Awthentik and Jason Santos)

• @Cbarzmusic - Round 1 (Judges: Awthentik and Jason Santos)

• @90wyse - Round 1 (Judges: Awthentik and Jason Santos)

• @PapercutDope - Round 2 (Judges: Phone Homie and Pinky Killacorn)

• @DaveRob2ml2h - Round 2 (Judges: Phone Homie and Pinky Killacorn)

• @KungFuVapes - Round 2 (Judges: Phone Homie and Pinky Killacorn)

• @skinny2blkguyz - Round 2 (Judges: Phone Homie and Pinky Killacorn)

• @DCJeromeAnthony - Round 3 (Judge: Reesa Renee)

• @Da_Real_Esh - Round 3 (Judge: Reesa Renee)

• @Cwell669 - Round 3 (Judge: Reesa Renee)

• @AleishiaMae - Round 4 (Judge: Jay Mills and Toby Dyroff)

• @Jp_Yh - Round 4 (Judge: Jay Mills and Toby Dyroff)

• @PaulyPolo - Round 4 (Judge: Jay Mills and Toby Dyroff)

Thank you our amazing hosts/judges for bringing your energy and creativity to the first ever NCF Cypher Sessions Tournament: Awthentik, Jason Santos, Pinky Killacorn, Phone Homie, Reesa Renee and Jay Mills. We look forward to celebrating our finalists with our judges and all of you in October.

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