Multi-Platinum Hip Hop Superstar Ice Cube has partnered with the prestigious McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota to establish an annual music scholarship. The announcement marks the first time the esteemed college has partnered with a hip hop artist for a full tuition scholarship.
The Ice Cube Scholarship will be administered by the McNally Smith College of Music and will be awarded to one student every year in the music technology department. The school, which also offers degrees in Music Performance and Music Business, is one of the leading schools for higher education in contemporary music.
The College President/Co-Founder, Jack McNally, says this partnership is evidence of Ice Cubeﾒs commitment to young musicians; “From the top of the Billboard charts to the top of the Hollywood box office, Ice Cube has proven himself to be one of the most creative and multi-talented stars in the entertainment world. Through the Ice Cube Scholarship, Cube shares the McNally Smith College of Music vision to preserve and promote American Contemporary Music. His personal involvement with the school proves his commitment to young musicians. Not every celebrity is willing to do such a rare and wonderful thing and we are grateful.”
Adds Ice Cube, “It has become a lifelong mission to give back to our youth and provide them with opportunities for a successful future. I am honored to be working with such a highly respected establishment such as the McNally Smith College of Music and look forward to reviewing the submissions by scholarship applicants in the coming months.”
Finalists will be selected based on their demonstrated ambition to pursue a music career, abilities as a producer, academic record and financial need. To win, each finalist will have to compete in the “Ice Cube Challenge.” Ice Cube will give each student a beat and hook line and they will have to fill in the bass line, arrangement and lyrics. The candidate who shows the most creativity, talent and skill in developing a song will win. Ice Cube will personally select the winner and present them with the scholarship at a surprise location.
The first Ice Cube Scholarship will be awarded for the 2007-2008 school year. Applicants should already be accepted by the McNally Smith College of Music in the Technology department and apply for the scholarship by May 1, 2007. For more information, visit McNally Smith College.
