Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • Do I need to be a US resident to enter this Contest?

    • No. We accept submissions from everywhere in the world. 

  • Do my lyrics need to be in English?

    • No. But we require an English translation so that all of our judges can evaluate the lyrics. We encourage all languages! 

  • Can I submit a song that has already been released?

    • No. We only accept songs that have never been released publicly on any major song streaming or download platform or as physical units. 

  • How many songs can I submit?

    • You can submit up to three songs. 

  • What are the naming conventions for file uploads?

    • Songs: Please be sure your files are saved in the following format: Lastname.Firstname.Songname.mp3 / m4a. For example, if your name is Ann Doe and your song name is Happy, the file should be named Doe.Ann.Happy.mp3 

    • Lyrics. Please be sure your file is saved as Lastname.Firstname.Songname.doc/docx. For example, if your name is Ann Doe and your song name is Happy, the file should be named Doe.Ann.Happy.doc
       

  • If I am selected as a winner, how much time after FYR releases my song do I need to wait before I personally release the song?

    •  Please wait until FYR sends your master recording files to you.  Within 14 days of the Contest album release, FYR will send each winner his/her song's master recording along with any revised files. 

  • If I am chosen for the semi-final stage, what will I be required to submit?

    • A signed Certificate of Authorship

    • A signed Media Waiver

    • If you are US Citizen, a W-9

    • The multitrack session files of the song you submitted

  • Can I review the documents I would be required to submit if I move on to the semi-final stage?

    • Yes! Please email us at futureyouthrecords@gmail.com to request a template of these documents.

  • What happens if I don’t have multitrack session files to submit or an ability to record myself? 

    • If you have been selected as a winner, we will make reasonable efforts to help you with your master recording. But given that many factors are outside our control, we cannot promise your song will make it on the album despite being chosen by the judges. If you have previously recorded your song in a studio, we ask that you arrange to take possession of the multitrack files.

  • If I’m a winner of the Contest, what are my rights to the song that I submitted?

    • Winners and any other writers on winning compositions retain 100% of publishing rights. Winners also retain 100% rights to the master recording. If FYR adds production to a winner’s master recording, the winner keeps 100% of the copyright ownership. Winners will be required to allow FYR to use the song for its purposes, including as part of the FYR compilation album.

  • What do Contest winners receive?

    • Winners receive a cash prize payable through PayPal only (no checks, Venmo, or wire transfers), free song production support as needed for the album, and free song and artist promotion as part of the album.  

  • I can’t afford the entry fee. Can I still enter? 

    • We can arrange free entry for those that need it. See the Contest Rules, paragraph 13.

  • Will FYR notify me if I haven’t won? 

    • We will notify those entrants who have been selected for the semi-finals round. Once judges vote and select the winners, we will inform all the semi-finalists whether they have won. 

  • I’ve entered and/or won a previous Future Youth Records contest. Am I still eligible to enter?

    • Yes! You are still eligible to enter as long as you still are in the eligible age range for the contest (age 16-24 years).