New York, NY – Rap Snacks and BlockWork TV are linking up for a national talent search that could put the next unsigned rapper on a chip bag next to Snoop Dogg, Migos, Lil Baby, and Rick Ross. The two brands are launching a six-city tour starting May 22 in Atlanta, with one mission: find the next hottest rapper in the country.
The initiative will select up to 25 artists per city, with one standout winner crowned at each stop. All six city winners will come together to record Mixtape Vol. 1, and from that group, one national winner will receive the ultimate co-sign: their own Rap Snacks and BlockWork TV chip bag, distributed through the same retail network that stocks Costco and Target shelves nationwide.
For Rap Snacks, this is the next chapter of a brand that has been merging hip hop and consumer culture since 1994. Founded by James Lindsay, the company made history by putting rappers on chip bags long before artist-brand partnerships were industry standard. Today, Rap Snacks is the most distributed Black-owned snack brand in the United States, named the fastest-growing C-suite brand in both 2023 and 2024, and distributes globally across the UK, Canada, and Spain.
BlockWork TV, founded by Taqone Jerido in Brooklyn, has built its reputation as one of the most trusted platforms for unsigned hip hop talent. The partnership brings BlockWork’s ear for emerging artists together with Rap Snacks’ infrastructure, retail reach, and track record of turning artists into household names on store shelves.
“We built Rap Snacks by betting on hip hop before anybody else would. Now we’re betting on the next generation. Somebody on this tour is going home with their own chip bag, and that’s just the start of what we’re building with BlockWork TV,” says James Lindsay, Founder and CEO of Rap Snacks.
“This is about taking what we built in Brooklyn and scaling it the right way. The goal has always been to give artists a real platform, and now we’re able to connect that to something bigger that helps them grow beyond just the music,” says Taqone Jerido, CEO/Founder of BlockWork TV.
“This partnership just makes sense. James built something that lives at the intersection of culture and product, and that kind of brand understanding is exactly where artists need to be thinking. This is about helping them move with intention, stay consistent, and really build something that lasts,” says Tiffany Wright, Manager of BlockWork TV.
Beyond the chip bag, each city winner receives a custom brand kit built around their identity and story, a featured content push across BlockWork TV’s platforms, and QR code integration that connects consumers directly to their music. Selected participants will receive confirmation along with shoot location, timing, and content expectations. Production begins as soon as each city’s roster is finalized. For all competition inquiries, submissions, and additional information, please contact: [email protected]
TOUR DATES
- Fri 5/22 & Sat 5/23 – Atlanta, GA
- Fri 6/6 & Sat 6/7 – Philadelphia, PA
- Fri 6/20 & Sat 6/21 – New York, NY
- Fri 7/11 & Sat 7/12 – Detroit, MI
- Fri 7/25 & Sat 7/26 – Chicago, IL
- Fri 8/8 & Sat 8/9 – Miami, FL
