the finalist


Raleigh finalist

Quezt


IG @followthequezt

Atlanta finalist

Dreek Jones


IG @thatkingroscoe

Dallas finalist

Online finalist

W.H.A.T


IG @what_theartist


The Athlete of the Mic (TAOTM) gives aspiring artists the opportunity to perform at one of the nation’s premiere concert events, Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash.


Launched in 2015 with live auditions in Atlanta, GA. Over the course of 9 years, the competition grew to include live auditions in major TAF markets such as Raleigh, New Orleans, Charlotte, Norfolk and Baltimore. The following year we introduced online auditions for those artists that cannot make it to the lives. This gave artists around the nation an opportunity to be crowned The Athlete of the Mic and win an all expense paid trip to Atlanta, GA to perform at Birthday Bash.

This year contestants will have the opportunity to audition live in Raleigh, NC on Saturday, May 4th, in Dallas on Saturday, May 18th, and in Atlanta on Saturday, June 1st. Contestants, nationwide, also can submit a video online to enter the contest beginning April 19th.

One finalist will be selected from all 4 audition outlets. The finalists will then perform LIVE in Atlanta at the Who’s Hot contest on Friday, June 21st. The first-place winner will perform on the Main Stage at Birthday Bash and crowned The Athlete of the Mic!


past winners

Digital Young Kingz

2023

marv.p

2022

lil wave daddy

2019

bobby beige

(co-winner)

2018

krook

(co-winner)


2018

meechie ro

2017

tesh

2016

guap gambino

2015


Birthday Bash is an annual festival featuring the very best urban talent from around America and is often recognized as a homecoming event for Atlanta based talent.

This event spotlights new and established artists who are

impacting Hip Hop culture in exciting ways, giving fans across the country a chance to see them LIVE.

Multi-platinum selling, two-time Grammy Award nominated

Atlanta rapper Latto will headline Birthday Bash ATL 2024. This marks the first time in Birthday Bash history that the concert will feature a female headliner.

Also announced to hit the stage on June 22nd,

three-time Grammy Award winner Killer Mike, Boosie Bad Azz, Key Glock, Hunxho, Bossman DLow, Rob49, and Tee Grizzley. Plus a salute to Atlanta’s own Big Oomp Records, featuring Big Oomp and DJ Montay. As anticipation grow, more artists will be announced.

our partners

contest rules

The Athlete of the Mic contest (“Contest”) will begin on April 19, 2024 and end on June 7, 2024 (“Contest Period”). This Contest will be conducted online and on-site. There will be a total of four (4) finalists from the Online and On-site Contest (one (1) from on-line submissions; one (1) from each on-site audition). The four (4) finalists will perform live at Hot 107.9 Who’s Hot Competition in Atlanta. One (1) grand prize winner will be selected from among the finalists. The grand prize winner will be awarded a performance spot on the main stage at the Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash at State Farm Arena. 


*Contestants must be 18 years or older to audition and enter the contest.