Pitchfork

Hell Hath No Fury was okay and all, but Malice and Pusha T are already moving on. The Virginia brothers and their label, Re-Up Gang/Jive, are holding an online contest to find an MC to guest on We Got It 4 Cheap Vol. 3: The Spirit of Competition, their "first mixtape of 2007," according to a press release. Does this mean there will be more than one?

Ambitious MCs can enter the "Clipse Golden Mic Freestyle Battle" by visiting www.clipseonline.com/micbattle, choosing to either represent one of three contest partners (HipHopDX.com, Ballerstatus.com, and CrackSpace.com) or enter independently, and uploading video freestyles. On December 20, after voters decide the top four MCs from each category, a round-robin tournament will begin. The winner will then appear on Vol. 3.

In a press release, Pusha explained the motivation for the contest by saying, "Tapping the net is a great way to reach fans because we feel that you are reaching the truest form of music lover. This promotion caters to the hungry, searching, passionate fan and gives them an outlet to express themselves and be a part of the music they love."

His advice to contestants consisted of three elements: "Honesty: if the listener can feel the honesty, you will lock them in. Metaphors: the better you draw parallels. [It] makes the verse more memorable. Cohesion: make the freestyle make sense!"

While you're uploading your own videos, make sure to watch the promotional video interview with the duo, as linked below. Yeah, they're from Virginia and know Pharrell and like the underground, but what really makes the clip worth watching is how they act when they're not talking: restless, staring intently. Please, someone give them both hugs. Maybe Young Jeezy?