The time is here and now for October Next Step contest submissions! Lehdoet.

Next Step winners in 2012 have included: Annabel (lee) & Richard E for January, Krystale for February, Derek Dumont for March, Dezaray Dawn for April, Jaidene Veda for May, The Broken Orchestra for June, and Sean Haefeli for July!

The winner will receive an “Artist Spotlight” feature post on the Giant Step website, and up to $1,000 in Giant Step Marketing services!

Please note that we are accepting submissions from anyone that makes music - producers, singers, instrumentalists, rappers, and bands alike are all welcome.

This month, we are accepting submissions from today through Wednesday, October 31. That said, we are now open for October 2012 entries!

Submit your music for consideration!

Captain Planet is just continuing to knock 'em out with absolutely no shame. His most recent release, Mystery Trip Vol. 1, is quite the special one with all the goodies that come along. Firstly, we strongly advise you to listen to the entire mixtape below and get to percolating.

The globetrotting man blends together obscure cuts from around the world and original production to create glorious whirlwind of sound. On this mixtape, you'll travel across generations and continents, visiting Senegal, Jamaica, Ghana, Puerto Rico, Peru, Brazil, Italy, Korea, Guadeloupe, and Zimbabwe.

This mix will be released digitally and as limited edition cassette tapes. The limited edition sets will also come with an exclusive batch of hand-painted walkmen with one-of-a-kind designs by Captain Planet himself. You can peep those photos after the jump.

Another snazzy component to the release is Turntable Lab's sample-spotting contest, which includes the grand prize of a hand-painted Boombox (vintage 1982 Panasonic RX-5110) designed by sir Captain Planet himself - none like it exist anywhere else!

Enter the Turntable Lab contest to win a vintage boombox hand-painted by Captain Planet.

Purchase Mystery Trip Vol. 1 on Big Cartel

Facebook | Soundcloud | Bastard Jazz

Product and boombox prize images after the jump

Starting at 12:00 am next Friday 10.19, Q-Tip's Offline party will be burning the midnight oil!

The September edition of Offline saw its highest attendance yet. On 10.19, come join over a thousand people on the dance floor into the wee hours of the morning including noted celebrities such as past attendees Jarobi of A Tribe Called Quest, Just Blaze, DJ Cassidy, Busta Rhymes, Gabrielle Union and many more.

From his specially designed DJ booth, Q-Tip will  play with music genres and nostalgic memories going through a supreme selection of funk, jazz, hip hop, salsa, and Latin records.

Tickets are selling quickly, grab yours here.

Enter our contest to win tickets.

Offline with Q-Tip Powered by Giant Step
Friday, October 19
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Plaza
Doors: 10:30 PM
More info

Robert Glasper Experiment - Black Radio: Rediscovered The Remix EP

Contest Expires: November 9th, 2012 at 2:00 PM EST

Enter to win

Hella excited about this July Next Step winner of ours! Berlin based pianist, vocalist, lyricist, and composer Sean Haefeli mesmerized us with his vocal jazz that's sprinkled with welcome notes of Jose James and Gil Scott-Heron.

Others have referenced Last Poets, Roberta Flack, Michael Franti, Bobby McFerrin, and Gregory Porter when speaking about his music. Looks like dude has a pretty fail proof thing going on as far as many are concerned.

Sean's sound blends jazz, soul, hip hop, and spoken word to birth warm, honest, and intimate music perfect for cozying up to as winter approaches. RISE marks his third album, which similar to his previous two is self-produced and released. Below, you can stream the entire album and also download the title track for free!

Touring will begin in late October through November of this year. On, November 16 catch a special performance on Mijke's Middag Live on Dutch radio station Radio 6.

Facebook | Twitter | Official Site