Rapper Common is launching "A Minute," a new lyrical contest encouraging young people to get tested for HIV.

Common, in collaboration with It’s Your (Sex) Life, a public information partnership between the Kaiser Family Foundation and MTV, and the Common Ground Foundation, with support from Youth Speaks, is launching "A Minute" - a new lyrics contest to encourage young people to get tested for HIV. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine HIV screening for all adults and adolescents (ages 13-64) in the United States. Through this new initiative, Common, MTV and Kaiser are encouraging young people to take a minute to inform themselves and others about HIV testing.

The competition kicks off today on MTV’s TRL (Total Request Live) and is intended to engage and inspire young people across the country to learn more about HIV and the importance of knowing your HIV status. The CDC estimates that among the more than one million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, approximately 1 in 4 do not know they are infected with the virus. The "A Minute" contest offers young people the opportunity to submit an original poem, lyrics, or writing that addresses why getting tested for HIV is important. The winning entry will be performed by Common in a special public service announcement (PSA) that will premiere on National HIV Testing Day (June 27, 2008) and air throughout the summer on MTV2 and mtvU, MTV’s college network, as well as be available on demand at http://www.itsyoursexlife.com. To learn more about the contest or apply, visit http://www.itsyoursexlife.com or http://www.aminutecontest.com.

"It’s important to know your status by getting tested because HIV/AIDS is taking a lot of lives in our community and around the world. I had an uncle succumb to HIV, so I’ve personally felt the impact of the disease," said Grammy Award winning artist Common. "Your lyrics can really have an affect on people’s lives and I’ve seen it happen."

"The stigma surrounding HIV remains a barrier to many people getting tested," said Tina Hoff, Vice President and Director of Entertainment Media Partnerships at the Kaiser Family Foundation. "By normalizing HIV testing, this contest seeks to make getting tested a mark of empowerment not shame."

"This contest offers our audience an amazing way to bring their words to life - through Common’s voice - and will serve as a powerful way to drive home the importance of getting tested," said Ian Rowe, VP of Public Affairs and Strategic Partnership, MTV. "Aside from being a groundbreaking artist and notable actor, Common has proven to be a true leader in the fight to break the stigma associated with HIV testing, and we’re proud to partner with him on this cause."

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No profanity, or inaproppriate remarks.

Common Launch Lyrics Contest, by Tristan Gilbert [2008-03-03 10:48:03]

get tested rap......... let’s take the time to adrees an issue’ in which it regards ya future, and is simple as there it is in the test tube, that same test is important and detrimental to life in itself, or jus to be aware of yaself, or tell me is the fear of the truth, thats over powerin reality too, thinkin what you dont know could never hurt you, but o’ contr’ar discover there’s more than jus you, gotta think of who u contact, like who u makin love to, or who u fall and bleed around, who u given blood to, think smart about ya life, that you safe guard it the truth, get tested overcome that fear, may god bless u....check me and my group full focus out on myspace www.myspace.om/fullfocusmusik.com this is the mind that i bring to my songs,as a rapper. iam jus looking for a chance in this music industry, please give me that chance.

Common Launch Lyrics Contest, by Tristan Gilbert [2008-03-03 10:42:45]

get tested rap......... let’s take the time to adrees an issue’ in which it regards ya future, and is simple as there it is in the test tube, that same test is important and detrimental to life in itself, or jus to be aware of yaself, or tell me is the fear of the truth, thats over powerin reality too, thinkin what you dont know could never hurt you, but o’ contr’ar discover there’s more than jus you, gotta think of who u contact, like who u makin love to, or who u fall and bleed around, who u given blood to, think smart about ya life, that you safe guard it the truth, get tested overcome that fear, may god bless u....check me and my group full focus out on myspace www.myspace.om/fullfocusmusik.com this is the mind that i bring to my songs,as a rapper. iam jus looking for a chance in this music industry, please give me that chance.

Common Launch Lyrics Contest, by young king donnel [2008-02-23 09:40:49]

yes yes name is young king im 15 and still clean, its true many dont know thats why im entering mine right now

Common Launch Lyrics Contest, by Joann Barnes [2008-02-18 01:00:18]

Title : Face. I have a face but you don’t know my name. I can just show up at any given time or place. I can impact your life and cause you to stumble and be full of strife. If you only would have asked my name before you took for granted my face i would have told you that i had come for you to shorten your time space. So get tested and don’t look at my face because i’ll even lie just to get in your face.