Pitchfork

How does the Wu do it? Over 15 years on, the Staten Island ruckus-bringers remain one of the most formidable forces in hip-hop, while the wide-ranging influence of RZA's distinctive production touch cannot be understated.

RZA recently played teacher to a handful of eager Wu protégés at a Hollywood Guitar Center during the unveiling of the Roland RZA/Forat MV-8800, a sampler/synthesizer custom-designed by RZA and audio technician Bruce Forat.

Now you, the Pitchfork faithful, have the opportunity to win one of these unique music-making machines. All you need do is sign up for the Pitchfork email list, which will not only guarantee you Pitchfork updates and assorted fun absolutely free of charge, but will also enter you in a drawing for one of RZA's MV-8800s-- one of only 10 in existence.

Sign up and enter to win HERE.

And that's not all! The winner will also receive round-trip airfare to Los Angeles and two nights' accommodations so that he/she may rendezvous with the RZA himself and receive a personal MV-8800 tutorial session. This sweet contest is presented by our friends at Guitar Center.

We know what you're thinking-- not another email list! But believe us, this one is well worth your while. Of course your email address will not be sold or otherwise used without your consent. Details on that and all the captivating fine print you crave lie just below the jump. And HERE.

Sign up between March 11 and March 24 to be entered to win. And click "MORE" for photos of the MV-8800 and RZA's Hollywood Guitar Center tutorial session as well.

THE ROLAND RZA/FORAT MV-8800


RZA


RZA GUITAR CENTER TUTORIAL SESSION




Contest rules and regulations:

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1. SPONSOR: Pitchfork Media, Inc., 1834 W. North Avenue, #2, Chicago, Illinois 60622 ("Sponsor"). "Sponsor" shall mean Pitchfork Media, Inc., its advertising/promotional and/or fulfillment agencies and its parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries and their respective employees, officers, directors, agents, successors and assigns. Sweepstakes Administrator shall mean Pitchfork Media.

2. ELIGIBILITY: The Pitchfork Media Sweepstakes ("Sweepstakes") is open to individuals who are legal residents of, and physically residing in, one of the contiguous 48 United States or the District of Columbia who are at least18 years of age on the date of entry. Void in Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories and possessions, U.S.-based military installations and embassies and wherever prohibited or restricted by law. Subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws. The Sweepstakes, and any web site pages and advertisements or promotional materials relating thereto, are intended for viewing only within the United States. You are not authorized to participate in the Sweepstakes if you are not physically located within the United States at the time of entry. Officers, directors, employees and agents of Sponsor, Guitar Center, Inc., Roland, Inc. and each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions and advertising and promotional agencies (collectively, the “Sweepstakes Entities”) and the immediate family members and persons of living in the same household of each (whether related or not) are not eligible to enter the Sweepstakes or win a Sweepstakes prize.

3. HOW TO ENTER: The Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 a.m. Central Time ("CT") on March 3, 2008 and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on March 17, 2008 ("Entry Period"). There is only one way to enter the Sweepstakes. Go to www.pitchforkmedia.com. Indicate your willingness to receive the Pitchfork Media e-newsletter via e-mail (it's free) and fill in the online entry form (you will be required to provide your legal name, your home mailing address (no P.O. Boxes accepted), your daytime telephone number (with area code) and your e-mail address. Submit the form in accordance with the on-screen directions during the Entry Period and you will be entered automatically into the Sweepstakes. Limit: one (1) entry per person/e-mail address during the Entry Period. No mechanically reproduced entries permitted. Additional entries by the same person/e-mail address for any Show will be disqualified. If a dispute arises regarding who submitted an on-line entry, the authorized e-mail account holder of the email address used to enter will be deemed to be the entrant. The “authorized e-mail account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address. Sponsor will not verify receipt of entries. All entries submitted become the sole property of Sponsor and will not be returned. If any information submitted on entrant's application form changes after date of entry, it is the entrant's sole responsibility to contact Sponsor with the new contact information.

4. POTENTIAL WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: A potential winner will be selected in a random drawing on or about March 24, 2008. The potential winner will be notified by telephone, U.S. mail, and/or e-mail (as determined by Sponsor In Its sole discretion) using the contact information provided at the time of entry ("Prize Notification"). Sponsor Is not responsible for incorrect or out-dated Information provided by potential winner on winner's Sweepstakes entry application. Potential winner must respond to the Prize Notification within forty-eight (48) hours from the first notification attempt (the "Deadline"). If potential winner does not respond by the Deadline or if potential winner notifies Sponsor that winner has elected not to accept the Grand Prize, Sponsor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to choose an alternate potential winner from all remaining eligible entries received until a potential winner is declared the Winner (as defined below). In order to receive a Sweepstakes prize, potential winner must execute and return to Sponsor within two (2) days of receipt an Affidavit of Eligibility, a W-9 tax reporting form and a Liability/Publicity Release, unless otherwise prohibited (collectively, the "Sweepstakes Documents"). Provided that the Potential Winner has complied with these Official Rules and meets all of the eligibility requirements set forth herein, following Sponsor’s receipt of the signed Sweepstakes Documents, Sponsor shall declare the Potential Winner a winner ("Winner"). Return of any Sweepstakes Documents as undeliverable will result in disqualification, and an alternate Potential Winner will be selected from all eligible entries received for the original drawing.

5. PRIZE AND ODDS OF WINNING:

One (1) Grand Prize

A trip for the Grand Prize Winner to Los Angeles, California to attend a tutorial session with the RZA and other buyers of the Roland RZA/Forat MV-8800. Trip includes the following: round trip coach class airfare to Los Angeles from a major commercial airport near winner's residence (as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion); hotel accommodations in Los Angeles (as selected by Sponsor in its sole discretion) for two (2) nights (one room/single occupancy); and one (1) Roland RZA/Forat MV-8800. Tutorial session must be taken between April 1, 2008 and August 31, 2008 on a specific date to be determined by Sponsor and Prize Donor. If Winner is unable to attend the tutorial session on that date, Winner will forfeit that portion of the Grand Prize.

Total ARV of Grand Prize: $6,900.00

Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

6. PRIZE CONDITIONS: Selection and specifics of the Grand Prize will be determined in the Sponsor's sole discretion. All portions of the Grand Prize are subject to availability. No cash redemption or prize substitution allowed, except by the Sponsor, which reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute cash value or another prize it believes is of equal or greater value. Prize is non-transferable. The value of the Prize set forth above represents Sponsor's and Grand Prize donor's good faith determination of the approximate retail value thereof and cannot be challenged or appealed. If the actual value turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash. Actual value of the Grand Prize may vary depending on point of departure and airfare fluctuations. The Roland RZA/For at MV-8800 will be delivered to Winner at Winner's home address within ten (10) business days following Sponsor's receipt of all executed Sweepstakes Documents. Any expenses not specified herein related to Grand Prize travel, including meals, ground transportation, souvenirs and other merchandise, local and long-distance telephone calls, beverages, hotel room service, service charges or taxes, gratuities and any other incidental costs and expenses not identified in these Official Rules are the sole responsibility of the Winner. There is no monetary value associated with the tutorial session portion of the Grand Prize. All travel and lodging are subject to availability. Restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Reservations and airlines tickets are non-refundable for cash or credit, non-transferable and non-changeable once issued. If lost or destroyed, they will not be replaced. Sponsor and Sweepstakes Entities are not responsible for any loss or damage to baggage or any cancellations, delays, diversions or substitutions or any act or omissions whatsoever by the air carrier(s), hotel or other transportation companies or any persons providing any of these services and accommodations including any results thereof such as changes in services or accommodations necessitated by same. If Winner is a minor in his/her State of residence, the Grand Prize will be awarded In the name of the Winner's parent/legal guardian and that parent/legal guardian will be required to execute all Sweepstakes Documents before Grand Prize will be awarded. SPONSOR HAS NOT MADE ANY WARRANTY OR GUARNATEE IN WHOLE OR IN PART, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, IN RELATION TO THE USE OF THE GRAND PRIZE INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ITS QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PUROSE OR SUITABILITY FOR USE. THE GRAND PRIZE IS AWARDED "AS IS".

7. TAXES AND EXPENSES: All applicable taxes, including all federal, state, local and other taxes and any license, destination and delivery charges are the sole responsibility of Winner. Winner is advised to seek counsel regarding tax liabilities associated with the Grand Prize. All expenses and incidentals not specifically mentioned herein are not included and are solely the responsibility of Winner.

8. GENERAL CONDITIONS/LIABILITY AND PUBLICITY RELEASES: All decisions of Sponsor relating to the Sweepstakes and its administration (including, without limitation, the construction of these Official Rules) are final and binding and cannot be challenged or appealed. By participating in this Sweepstakes, participants agree: (a) to waive any ambiguity In these Official Rules; (b) to be bound by these Official Rules, the decisions of the Sponsor, and the Sponsor's Privacy Policy (located at www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/privacy, (c) to release and hold harmless Sponsor and the Sweepstakes Entities from and against any and all claims, demands, damages, losses, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, court costs and disbursements) or expenses arising, directly or Indirectly, out of, or related to their participation in the Sweepstakes (including, without limitation, the unauthorized or illegal access to personally identifiable or sensitive information), the redemption, acceptance, possession, use, misuse, loss or misdirection of the Grand Prize or any portion of the Grand Prize and participation in Sweepstakes-related activities and for any and all claims based on rights of publicity, rights of privacy and merchandise delivery and hereby waive all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and/or their participation in any Prize-related activities (including, without limitation, any property loss or damage and personal injury or death); and (c) to be contacted by Sponsor via e-mail and telephone. By accepting the Prize, Winner (or if the Winner is an eligible minor as defined in his/her state of residence, his/her parent/legal guardian) consents to the use of the Winner’s name and/or likeness (including his/her voice, image, biographical information, city and state of residence and statements) for advertising and promotional purposes without review, notice, approval or additional compensation (except if Winner is a resident of TN or where prohibited by law). Sponsor reserves the right to make changes or additions to these Official Rules and/or extend the dates of this Sweepstakes for any reason at any time. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

9. INTERNET/FORCE MAJEURE: If for any reason the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned including, without limitation, infection due to computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure, human error or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor that, In the sole judgment of Sponsor, could corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right, at Its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes without notice and to select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to the cancellation or termination. Sponsor shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds who tampers with the entry process, operation of the Sweepstakes or web site. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect or delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, problems or technical malfunctions of any computer online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of human error, technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, theft or destruction, or unauthorized access to, or tampering with or hacking of website, any combination thereof, or otherwise, including any injury or damage to any entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participation in the Sweepstakes.

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY ALTER OR DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATIONS OF THE SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Sponsor shall not be liable to winner or any other person for failure to supply the Grand Prize by reason of any act of God, any actions, regulation, orders or requests by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity, equipment failure, terrorist acts, earthquake, war, fire, flood, explosion, labor dispute, labor troubles, labor strike, labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, civil disturbance, or any similar or dissimilar event beyond Sponsor's reasonable control.

10. DISPUTES: Each entrant agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with this Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and any judicial proceeding shall take place in a federal or state court in Chicago, Illinois and entrants hereby waive any and all objections to personal jurisdiction; (2) any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes, but in no event attorneys' fees and (3) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental, and consequential damages, and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of entrant and the Sponsor in connection with this Sweepstakes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of the State of Illinois or any other jurisdiction), that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than those of the State of Illinois.

WINNER'S LIST: For a winners list, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Pitchfork Media Sweepstakes, Winner's List, c/o Pitchfork Media, 1834 W. North Avenue, #2, Chicago, IL 60622. Limit: one (1) list per person/household. Requests must be received no later than April 30, 2008. Word to your moms.