Coors Light® Search For The Coldest® Returns For Third Year With Celebrity Judge, Ice Cube

CHICAGO, April 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Coors Light^® Search for the Coldest^® is back for its third year with celebrity judges, Ice Cube, Bun B, and DJ Drama, to find the Coldest MC in the country. Search for the Coldest is a national hip-hop contest that has gained nearly 150,000 online votes since its inception in 2011, giving up-and-coming MCs a national stage to showcase their talents, and a chance to win $20,000. With the addition of two new tour cities this year, Dallas and Chicago, Search for the Coldest also gives music fans the opportunity to experience live concerts, featuring some of today’s top hip-hop artists. Artists performing on the 2013 Search for the Coldest tour include: Juicy J, Pusha T, French Montana and more.

"I’m excited to partner up with Coors Light again to search for the Coldest MC in the country," said Ice Cube. "It was great to see so much talent last year and with the game evolving, I’m glad that Coors Light is staying connected and providing a platform for upcoming MCs to shine."

After traveling the country last year, hitting major cities with concerts featuring performances by Wale, Bun B, and Big K.R.I.T, Charlotte finalist, Felony Fame, was crowned the 2012 Coldest MC at the New York finale, where Def Jam recording artist Fabolous performed. This year, Bun B, of iconic southern rap duo UGK, will join Ice Cube and DJ Drama for an eight-city tour hitting Dallas, Charlotte, New Orleans, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, with semifinal events in Chicago and Atlanta. One talented lyricist will be crowned the 2013 Coldest MC at a grand finale concert in New York, and walk away with $20,000 and more.

"Coors Light, The World’s Most Refreshing Beer, is proud to recognize and reward refreshing voices in hip-hop" says Mwanza Lumumba, Brand Manager, Coors Light African American marketing. "Our goal is to refresh the most people this summer, which is why we’re taking Search for the Coldest into two new cities. We look forward to giving more fresh MCs the opportunity to showcase their talents."

In addition to the eight-city concert tour, the new Coors Light MyStudio Mobile Tour Bus – a mobile recording studio where fans can record their own tracks – will be making stops throughout the country. For MyStudio tour dates, visit SearchForTheColdest.com. Fans can also interact with Search for the Coldest at the 2013 ESSENCE Festival^™ in New Orleans, with chances to win prizes including a VIP trip to the Search for the Coldest grand finale in New York City.