Official Rules
These are the official terms and conditions for voting for "2023 BET Greatest Rap Crew of All Time Voting" (the "Official Voting Rules").
1. Eligibility
At the time of voting, voters must be at least thirteen (13) years of age or older. Employees and their immediate families (i.e., parents, spouse, children, siblings, grandparents, step parents, step children and step siblings) of Black Entertainment Television LLC ("BET" or "Sponsor"), Paramount Global, Telescope, Inc. ("Telescope" or "Vote Administrator") and each of their respective parent companies, subsidiaries and other affiliated companies, sponsors, advertising agencies and third party fulfillment agencies and their respective agents, employees, officers, directors, successors and assigns (collectively, the "Promotion Entities") are not eligible to participate in the Voting Promotion (hereinafter defined). Internet connection is required.
2. Overview
The BET Greatest Rap Crew of All Time Voting is a tournament-style bracket voting promotion (the "Voting Promotion") hosted by Black Entertainment Television in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop for which the public will be invited to engage and cast votes for their favorite rap crews ("Nominees") from among 32 of the most recognized rap crews of all time over the six (6) week period commencing at or around 12:00:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time ("EDT") on May 1, 2023 and continuing through 12:00:00 PM (EDT) on June 9, 2023 (the "Voting Period"). There will be five (5) Rounds (each, a "Round') of voting to determine the winner. During each Round, the "Matchups" will be open for 48 or 72 hours. Not all Matchups in a Round will be open for voting at the same time. See Voting Period (Section 4) below.
3. Voting Methods, Availability and Limits
During the Voting Period (see Section 4), fans may submit their vote for active Matchups via the below Voting Methods. There are four (4) Voting Methods available.
- Online Bracket Voting
- Online Battle Poll Voting
- Twitter Hashtag Voting
- Instagram Hashtag Voting via Comments on a Post
The Online Bracket Voting, Online Battle Poll Voting, Twitter Hashtag Voting and Instagram Hashtag Voting via Comments on a Post, are referred to herein, collectively, as the "Voting Methods." Sponsor reserves the right to modify the Voting Methods and add or remove any of the available Voting Methods at any time during the Voting Period, at its sole discretion, with or without prior notice.
3.1 Online Bracket Voting
Fans may vote by visiting https://bet.com/grcoatvote ("Online Bracket Voting"). Once they have reached the Online Bracket Voting site, they will register by providing full name, email address, and date of birth, and confirm acceptance of the Official Voting Rules, and website Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Fans will have the ability to opt in to receive marketing communications from BET Networks and opt-in to participate in the BET Greatest Rap Crew of All Time Voting Promotion and Sweepstakes [https://bet.com/grcoat-sweepstake-rules] by checking the appropriate check boxes on the registration form.
Fans vote for their favorite Nominee from the active Matchups by clicking on the "Vote" button or by clicking on the Nominee thumbnail image on the bracket grid to open the Nominee Vote Modal. Once fans click on the "Vote" button from within the Nominee Vote Modal to cast their vote, they will see a Thank You Modal confirming their vote. Fans can return to the bracket grid to view their votes in the current Round and may continue to vote for any other active Matchups for which they have not already submitted a vote.
Fans are limited to one (1) vote per Matchup, per valid email address, per Round during the Voting Period.
3.2 Online Battle Poll Voting
Fans may vote in a Battle Poll by navigating to an article embed on BET.com featuring a Battle Poll Matchup vote, complete the registration form with full name, email address, and date of birth, and confirm acceptance of the Official Voting Rules, and website Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Fans will have the ability to opt in to receive marketing communications from BET Networks and opt-in to participate in the BET Greatest Rap Crew of All Time Voting Promotion and Sweepstakes [https://bet.com/grcoat-sweepstake-rules] by checking the appropriate check boxes on the registration form.
Fans can vote for their favorite Nominee in the Battle Poll Matchup by clicking on the button that includes the Nominee name of their choice. Fans will see a confirmation message for their vote.
Fans are limited to one (1) vote per Battle Poll Matchup, per valid email address, per Round during the Voting Period.
3.3 Twitter Hashtag Voting
Fans may vote via Twitter hashtag ("Twitter Voting"). To vote via Twitter, users must have a valid Twitter account (visit Twitter.com to register for a free account) and have their account privacy settings set to public. Twitter votes must be initiated by the authorized Twitter account holder. Twitter votes will only be recognized from Twitter accounts which are public. To vote during the Voting Period, post or retweet a public Twitter message (i.e., a tweet) containing the designated campaign hashtag (#BETGreatestRapCrew), plus one (1) designated Nominee hashtag. If more than one (1) designated nominee hashtag is contained in a tweet, the tweet is considered invalid and none of the votes in that tweet will count. By utilizing Twitter to participate in this Voting Promotion, participants agree to comply with the Terms of Service of Twitter (https://twitter.com/en/tos)
Fans are limited to one (1) vote per Nominee Matchup, per Round, per Twitter ID during the Voting Period.
Example Tweet:
I am voting for #NomineeHashtag for #BETGreatestRapCrew!
3.4 Instagram Hashtag Voting via Comments on a Post
Fans may vote via Instagram ("Instagram Voting"). To vote via Instagram, users must have a valid Instagram account (visit Instagram.com to register for a free account) and have their account privacy settings set to public. Instagram votes must be initialized by the authorized Instagram account holder. Instagram votes will only be recognized from Instagram accounts which are public. To vote during the Voting Period, users must comment on a Call-To-Action Post from BET Networks (https://www.instagram.com/bet/) using the designated campaign hashtag (#BETGreatestRapCrew), plus one (1) designated Nominee hashtag. If more than one (1) designated nominee hashtag is contained in a comment, the comment is considered invalid and none of the votes in that comment will count. By utilizing Instagram to participate in this Voting Promotion, participants agree to comply with the Terms of Service of Instagram (https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870/?helpref=uf_share)
Fans are limited to one (1) vote per Nominee Matchup, per Round, per Instagram handle during the Voting Period.
Example Comment:
I am voting for #NomineeHashtag for #BETGreatestRapCrew!
Twitter and Instagram Voting Nominee Hashtags:
Nominee Full Name: Wu-Tang Clan
Nominee Hashtag: #WuTangClan
Nominee Full Name: Dreamville
Nominee Hashtag: #Dreamville
Nominee Full Name: Native Tongues
Nominee Hashtag: #NativeTongues
Nominee Full Name: Juice Crew
Nominee Hashtag: #JuiceCrew
Nominee Full Name: Bad Boy Family
Nominee Hashtag: #BadBoyFamily
Nominee Full Name: Ruff Ryders
Nominee Hashtag: #RuffRyders
Nominee Full Name: Roc-A-Fella
Nominee Hashtag: #RocAFella
Nominee Full Name: G-Unit
Nominee Hashtag: #Gunit
Nominee Full Name: G.O.O.D. Music
Nominee Hashtag: #GOODMusic
Nominee Full Name: St. Lunatics
Nominee Hashtag: #StLunatics
Nominee Full Name: Shady
Nominee Hashtag: #Shady
Nominee Full Name: Mo'Thugs/Bone Thugs
Nominee Hashtag: #MoThugs
Nominee Full Name: Soulquarians
Nominee Hashtag: #Soulquarians
Nominee Full Name: Griselda
Nominee Hashtag: #Griselda
Nominee Full Name: Hypnotize Minds
Nominee Hashtag: #HypnotizeMinds
Nominee Full Name: Collective Music Group
Nominee Hashtag: #CollectiveMusicGroup
Nominee Full Name: Deathrow Family
Nominee Hashtag: #DeathRow
Nominee Full Name: Hieroglyphics
Nominee Hashtag: #Hieroglyphics
Nominee Full Name: NWA & The Posse
Nominee Hashtag: #NWA
Nominee Full Name: Soul Assassins
Nominee Hashtag: #SoulAssassins
Nominee Full Name: TDE
Nominee Hashtag: #TDE
Nominee Full Name: Odd Future
Nominee Hashtag: #OddFuture
Nominee Full Name: Sick Wid It
Nominee Hashtag: #SickWidIt
Nominee Full Name: Dangerous Crew
Nominee Hashtag: #DangerousCrew
Nominee Full Name: Young Money/Cash Money
Nominee Hashtag: #YoungMoney
Nominee Full Name: Grand Hustle
Nominee Hashtag: #GrandHustle
Nominee Full Name: No Limit Soldiers
Nominee Hashtag: #NoLimitSoldiers
Nominee Full Name: Rap-A-Lot
Nominee Hashtag: #RapALot
Nominee Full Name: Quality Control
Nominee Hashtag: #QualityControl
Nominee Full Name: So Def
Nominee Hashtag: #SoSoDef
Nominee Full Name: Maybach Music Group
Nominee Hashtag: #MaybachMusicGroup
Nominee Full Name: Dungeon Family
Nominee Hashtag: #DungeonFamily
4. Voting Period
Voting will be available for all Voting Methods beginning at or around 12:00:00 PM (EDT) on the Vote Open Date noted below for each Round and "Matchup", except for Twitter Hashtag Voting which will be available for Rounds 1, 2, and 3 only.Voting for the "Matchups" in Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be open for forty-eight (48) hours and voting for all Matchups in Round 5 will be open for seventy-two (72) hours. closing at or around 12:00:00 PM (EDT) on the Vote Close Date. Round/"Matchup" numbers do not indicate the Matchup position in the Bracket Vote.
Including this language, but it is up to BET if you want to announce this now or later when we are closer to the final rounds and/or to wait in case anything changes with Twitter.
Vote Open Date: Monday, May 1, 2023
Round / Matchup: R1: Matchups 1 – 4
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Vote Open Date: Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Round / Matchup: R1: Matchups 5 – 8
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023
Vote Open Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Round / Matchup: R1: Matchups 9-12
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Vote Open Date: Thursday, May 4, 2023
Round / Matchup: R1: Matchups 13 – 16
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Vote Open Date: Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Round / Matchup: R2: Matchup 1 & 2
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023
Vote Open Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Round / Matchup: R2: Matchup 3 & 4
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Friday, May 12, 2023
Vote Open Date: Monday, May 15, 2023
Round / Matchup: R2: Matchup 5 & 6
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Vote Open Date: Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Round / Matchup: R2: Matchup 7 & 8
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023
Vote Open Date:Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Round / Matchup: R3: Matchup 1 & 2
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Vote Open Date: Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Round / Matchup: R3: Matchup 3 & 4
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Friday, May 26, 2023
Vote Open Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Round / Matchup: R4: Matchup 1 & 2 (Semifinal Battle)
Vote Duration: 48 hours
Vote Close Date: Friday, June 2, 2023
Vote Open Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Round / Matchup: R5: Final Matchup
Vote Duration: 72 hours
Vote Close Date: Friday, June 9, 2023
The total number of votes submitted during the Voting Period for the Nominees will be tabulated by the Vote Administrator and the Nominee with the most votes, as determined by the Vote Administrator, will be declared the winner. If, for any reason, this Voting Promotion is interrupted for any reason, is found to have been tampered with in any way, or for any other reason that Sponsor believes in its sole discretion to be reasonably necessary, Sponsor reserves the right to select the winners at its discretion and may take into consideration the number of votes received by a Nominee up until the time of the interruption or cancelation of the Voting Promotion.
If, for any reason, any aspect of this Voting Promotion is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical or system failures or disruption, 'Acts of God' or terrorist attacks, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Voting Promotion or for any reason Sponsor deems necessary, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, amend, modify, extend or suspend the Voting Promotion and reserves the right in its sole discretion to determine the winners.
5. General Terms
You participate in this Voting Promotion at your own risk. The Promotion Entities and any other entity associated with this Voting Promotion (including, any social media platform used to submit an official vote) (collectively, the "Released Parties") are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: (a) difficulty accessing the internet; (b) errors in transmission; (c) service outage or delays or for any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email or players on account of any technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site or combination thereof; (d) any incomplete, lost, late, delayed, misdirected or garbled votes or failure to receive votes; (e) injury or damage to you or to any other person's computer or mobile phone related to or resulting from participating in, or downloading materials or software, or attempts to participate in or download materials or software related to this Voting Promotion; or (f) failures or malfunctions of phones (including wireless phones/handsets), phone lines or telephone systems, cellular equipment towers, telephone systems or wireless services or other communications malfunctions. The Released Parties are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: (i) any condition caused by events beyond the control of the Released Parties that may cause the voting to be disrupted or corrupted; (ii) typographical or other errors in the printing, the offering, or the administration of these Official Voting Rules or the Voting Promotion; or (iii) any errors in the announcement of winners.
Participants assume all liability for any injury or damages caused or claimed to be caused by his or her participation in the voting opportunity described in these Official Voting Rules, and release the Released Parties from any such claim or liability.
By participating in this Voting Promotion, you agree to be bound by these Official Voting Rules. Failure to comply with the Official Voting Rules may result in a voter's disqualification solely at the discretion of Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right to modify these Official Voting Rules at any time in its sole discretion.
All interpretations of these Official Voting Rules and the decisions of Sponsor relating to this Voting Promotion are final.