VICE Playlist Project

Submit your best track to match the vibe. Over $10,000 in prizes. Open worldwide.

Early bird entries open now. Only $5 per entry for limited time.

Soundtrack the Moment.

The VICE Playlist Project turns a night out into a series of moments, from the highs to the heartbreak to whatever comes next. Pick where your song belongs within the playlist, submit your track, and compete for cash, prizes, and global recognition.

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What is it?

– Pick a category
– Submit your original song
– Compete for cash and features on VICE

“You’re telling me I can win cash with my late-
night breakup song?”

Cash & Prizes Pool

$10,000+

Welcome to the VICE Playlist Project, a global showcase for songs that soundtrack real-life moments. No formulas. No “right” sound. Just music judged on how hard it hits and how well it captures the scenes we’ve all been a part of at some point.
Each category maps a moment from a night out, from the highs to the heartbreak to the reset. Find yours, and submit something that belongs there.
Winners take home cash, social and editorial features on VICE, and bragging rights for making something that cuts through the noise and captures a real moment.

Time Left to Enter:Deadline: June 26, 202600Days : 00Hours : 00Minutes : 00Seconds

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Early Bird Entry

VICE Playlist Project

The Playlist Project turns a night out into a set of categories you can actually enter, each one built like a playlist for a specific moment, mood, or aftermath. Pick your lane, or twist it into something new, and submit a song that belongs there.

viceplaylistproject

• $10,000+ in prizes • 10 categories • 70 days, 0 hours

prizes

Besides the bragging rights of being an inaugural Playlist Project winner, here’s what’s on the line:

Grand Prize Winner:

$2,500 Cash Prize
Showcase Interview conducted by the VICE team
Posts on VICE social channels promoting your music
Shoutout in the VICE newsletter
Collab Post with your channel, Noisey, and VICE on YouTube

Category Winners:

$500 Cash Prize
Featured in content published by the VICE team
Posts on VICE social channels promoting your music
Shoutout in the VICE newsletter
Collab post with your channel, Noisey, and VICE on YouTube

Early Bird Entry

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FAQs

If you’re still deciding whether to enter, you’re probably wondering how it all works. Here’s everything you need to know before beginning your entry process.
Have an additional question? Reach out to us directly below.

How do I choose the right category?

Each category represents a specific moment in the night. Choose the one your song feels made for, or put it somewhere unexpected if that makes it hit harder. For more detailed category descriptions, see the ‘Category Descriptions’ section below.

What kind of songs can I submit?

Any original song can be submitted, regardless of genre. As long as your submission is original and you have the rights to use everything in it, entries will be judged on how they hit and how well they capture the moment, not the tools used to make them.

How are songs evaluated?

Submissions will be evaluated by the VICE & Noisey teams based on overall artistic merit, creativity, composition, emotional impact, and how strongly they fit their chosen moment or category.

Does my song need to be fully produced?

No. Rough or polished, if it works, it works; songs are judged on creativity and how effectively they capture a moment.

Do I keep the rights to my song?

Yes. You keep ownership. We retain no rights to any song submitted.

Do I need to be a musician to enter?

No. You don’t need to be a professional musician or have formal experience. If you can create something that fits a moment and feels like it belongs, you can enter.

What is the ‘Colonizing Mars’ category?

“Colonizing Mars” is the Playlist Project’s version of an ‘Other’ category; It’s for anything that doesn’t fit a traditional genre but may fit on Mars. Experimental, weird, funny, or genre-bending tracks all belong here.

Category Descriptions

the pre-game

The Pre-Game captures the anticipation and energy before a night begins, defined by high spirits, confidence, and momentum. It often features upbeat, hype-driven production designed to set the tone and get people moving.

Last Call at the Bar

Last Call at the Bar reflects the peak of the night, where energy, chaos, and emotion collide. It includes songs that feel loud, urgent, and alive, capturing the final moments before everything shifts.

Afterparty, 5am

Afterparty, 5AM represents the blurred, late-night stretch where time loses meaning and the night continues past its limits. It often leans into hazy, atmospheric, or relentless sounds that feel both euphoric and exhausted.

Your crush leaves with someone else

This category centers on the moment of emotional impact when expectation turns into disappointment. It includes songs that capture heartbreak, jealousy, and quiet realization, often driven by vulnerability and mood.

rage quitting

Rage Quitting is defined by intensity, frustration, and emotional release. It features aggressive, high-energy songs that channel anger, defiance, or a breaking point, often with bold production and strong vocal presence.

late night drive

Late Night Drive captures movement, solitude, and reflection in motion. It includes songs that feel expansive, moody, or immersive, often suited for long drives, city lights, and introspective moments.

Sleeping Alone

The Sleeping Alone category focuses on quiet, intimate moments of solitude and emotional comedown. It features softer, slower songs that emphasize vulnerability, minimalism, and a sense of stillness.

The Morning After

The Morning After reflects the physical and emotional aftermath of the night before. It includes songs that feel reflective, subdued, or conflicted, capturing clarity, regret, or acceptance.

Revenge Arc

Revenge Arc represents transformation, confidence, and reclaiming control. It features songs that feel empowering, assertive, and forward-moving, often driven by attitude and self-assurance.

Colonizing Mars

Colonizing Mars is the Playlist Project’s version of an “other” category: an open-ended, conceptual category for songs that feel otherworldly, futuristic, detached from reality, or just don’t fit into any other conceivable vibe. The category includes experimental, unconventional, or imaginative tracks that push beyond familiar settings.

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