In a collaborative effort with hip-hop artist and actor Common, "It is Your (Sex) Life" - a public information partnership between the Kaiser Family Foundation and MTV, and the Common Ground Foundation, with support from Youth Speaks - is launching “A Minute” - a new lyrics contest to encourage young people to get tested for HIV. Through this new initiative, Common, MTV, and Kaiser are encouraging young people to take a minute to inform themselves and others about routine HIV testing, as recommended by the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for all adolescents and adults (ages 13-64).


The “A Minute” contest offers young people between the ages of 13 and 25 the opportunity to submit an original poem, lyrics, or writing that addresses why to get tested for HIV and the importance of knowing your HIV status. The winning entry will be performed by Common in a special public service announcement (PSA) that will premier on National HIV Testing Day, June 27 2008, and air throughout the summer on MTV2 and mtvU, MTV’s college network, as well as be available on demand at the "It’s Your (Sex) Life" website.


Competition details:

• Write original lyrics - spoken word, poetry, reggae, indie, or any musical voice that best represents your message.
• Entries must be one minute or less when performed.
• Entries can be submitted in text, audio, or video form. (Please include text with any audio or video entries.)

The deadline for application is March 27 2008.

Click here for more information.

Click here for an online entry form.

Click here to read the contest rules.

Click here and scroll to sample entries to hear what other lyricists have submitted.

The Kaiser Family Foundation website news release on February 14 2008.