Online Contest Will Provide $65,000 in Prize Money, Free Recording Opportunities and Top-Notch Promotion; Winner Announced February 28

Washington, D.C. – Voting is almost complete for the two finalists in a music contest unlike any other. C2 Records, started by CEO and Washington, D.C. resident Phil Oakley, is getting close to identifying the winner in its Music Madness contest. One of the finalists is a resident of Millstone, New Jersey, and the other finalist is from Seneca, South Carolina.

Through the Music Madness contest, C2 Records is offering that “big break” that so many
undiscovered artists yearn for. This competition offers prize money of $65,000 that includes a cash prize and:

● Private recording sessions for their top songs
● Coaching, mentoring and branding from the music industry’s topnotch coaches,
executive producers and sound engineers
● 401K savings plan established in their name
● Matching donations to their charity of choice

Top 2 Artists songs (Battle Gallery) at: https://c2records.us.launchpad6.com/c2records2020/

Carious Staggers
Carious was raised in Seneca, South Carolina. He’s been interested in hip hop and rap since he was a kid, with his dad being a strong influence over him as a Christian rapper. He grew up seeing his dad pursue his dream which really encouraged Carious to follow his own passion from an early age. His inspiration also comes from the pain he endured in his childhood. He also listened to a lot of R&B growing up, and other rap artists. He says his favorite musician right now is 6lack, but his favorite of all time is Kendrick Lamar.
He says his music “comes with a message” and that message is not your typical rapper content. As he puts it, “There are plenty of people with something to say, but not many people truly saying something.” Carious believes he is blessed to have the opportunity to show the world what he has to say and describes himself as being versatile in his craft. “This competition would be huge for me as an artist and as a person. It would mean a lot to put my city on the map and to let everyone know who I am as a person.”

Jess Ricca
Jessica Ricca is from Millstone, New Jersey, where she’s been playing piano, guitar and
ukulele since she was a young girl. She writes her own songs and shares them on YouTube
and social media. She says that writing music has helped her to get through tough times and express her emotions, especially during the pandemic. When people responded positively to her music on social media, it inspired her to keep writing. Growing up, Jessica was exposed to a lot of classic and alternative rock through her parents. In fact, her father’s iPod was synced to hers at six years old. “There was little six-year-old me jamming out to Aerosmith and Van Halen.” Now her go-to musicians are Hozier, the Lumineers and Bon Iver. Jessica says winning this competition would kickstart her career of becoming a musician. “For most of my life, that was the plan but it never seemed realistic. Now that it seems within reach, I want it even more. I just want my music to be heard and enjoyed. Music is my outlet and my passion, and it’s what I want to do with my life. This has always been far more than just a hobby to me. I’m hoping to convince my family of that through this competition!”

Voting in the Music Madness contest began in September 2020. Final voting for the top two contestants is in progress, with the top winner being announced on February 28. The contest relies completely on social media for voting and artist exposure.

So far, contestants have amassed a total of more than 15,000 social media votes and more than 25,000 Fan Page votes. First place receives $25,000, second place receives $16,000, third place receives $10,000 and fourth place receives $5,000. All contestants receive additional production services and other financial benefits beyond the cash award — for a total of $65,000.