The Athlete of the Mic (TAOTM) is a competition that gives an aspiring artist the opportunity to perform at one of the nation’s premiere concert events, Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash.


TAOTM launched in 2015 with live auditions in Atlanta, GA. Over the course of 8 years, the competition grew to include live auditions in major TAF markets such as Raleigh, New Orleans, Charlotte, Norfolk and Baltimore. In 2016, launched the online auditions. This gave aspiring 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 6th, in Atlanta on Saturday, May 27th and in Dallas on Saturday, June 3rd. Contestants, nationwide, also can submit a video online to enter the contest.


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 16th. The first-place winner will perform on the Main Stage at Birthday Bash and crowned The Athlete of the Mic!

2023 winner

Atlanta Finalist

Digital Young Kingz

@‌dykingz

past winners

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.

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.


Birthday Bash ATL 2023 will celebrate its 27th year with the largest event in its history as we celebrate the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE of Hip Hop with a complete weekend of activities and VIP experiences.


This year’s lineup includes: 21 Savage & Friends, Glorilla, NLE Choppa, Finesse2Tymes, Jacquees, a salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop and many more to be announced…

our partners

contest rules

The Athlete of the Mic contest (“Contest”) will begin on April 14, 2023 and end on June 4, 2023 (“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.