Every year since its inception in 2007, hand selected startups vie for the opportunity to win $50,000, the coveted Disrupt Cup, and maximum exposure to VCs on the TechCrunch's Startup Battlefield. If you're unsure of what that is, just imagine a SharkTank for tech apps. Previous winners include the likes of Dropbox and Yammer. 

If you've seen or heard anything about this year's winner and wondering why he looks so familiar, it's because back in 2007 he was on the top of the charts with smash hit, "This Is Why I'm Hot." Rapper turned entrepreneur Shawn Mims, along with Grammy winner Winston “DJ Blackout” Thomas and Erik Mendelson teamed up and won the title with thie app, RecordGram. 

RecordGram is a mobile recording studio where users can upload original instrumentals, collaborate, sing, and create entire songs on a single platform. The silver lining is that you're able to share the finish product instantly. The company plans to generate revenue by charging producers an annual, or monthly, fee to upload up to 15 tracks on their platform. Artists are able to record on the uploaded tracks, allowing the producer to see what works best and potentially collaborate with artists and creatives they wouldn't have met. 

Best part? Producers retain 100% of the copyrights to their beats while would-be-talent get exposure. 

When asked what interested him in getting into the tech world , Thomas (Dj Blackout) stated, "There’s a lot of talent out there in search of help creating a sound and getting discovered. And there are producers trying to figure out how to make a living in a post-Spotify, post-Apple world of streaming music.”

This seems to be a lucrative and refreshing trend of rappers and athletes venturing and succeeding in the tech world and we're here for it. Congratulations, fellas!

Interested in participating in the startup battlefield? You can apply here and application is 100% free.