WXPN's 24-Hour Song Challenge Asking For Public Input

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's premier public radio station WXPN is inviting listeners to vote in its 24-Hour Song Challenge.

The public will choose their top three contenders from a group of 12 semi-finalists who submitted songs that they wrote and recorded in 24 hours or less.

Of the 12 semi-finalists, four finalists and one grand prize winner will be determined by the official 24-Hour Song Challenge judges.

The finalists will be announced once a day June 23, June 24, June 25, and June 27. The grand prize winner will be announced on June 30.

Voting is open now through June 18 online here. Voters will provide their email address and will be permitted to vote one time per day. They will be able to select up to three of the 12 semi-finalists to move on to the next round.

Public votes will help inform the judging for the 4 Finalists and 1 Grand Prize winner.

At 11 a.m. Monday, WXPN host Kristen Kurtis will host a “Watch Party” via live video forum on their YouTube and Facebook channels. The 12 semi-finalists will be presented alongside their original song entry videos.

The contested kicked off on May 31

Songwriters were invited to push their creative limits by crafting an original song in just 24 hours, inspired the surprise prompt, "belong."

Participants wrote, recorded, and submitted a performance video for a chance to win cash, gear, studio time, and a spot on stage at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival.

"There is an overwhelming amount of talent in the Philly music scene and we were reminded of that during last year's Song Challenge,” WXPN on-air personality Mike Vasilikos said. "Every lane - from rock, pop, soul, punk, R&B, hip-hop - is filled with incredible artistry. We can't wait to see how our community raises their creative game for the second year of our Song Challenge."

"My favorite thing about last year’s Song Challenge was all the new music I discovered because of it,” host of "The Local Show" John Vettese said. "The city is overflowing with talent, and as much as I strive to keep up with it on WXPN Local, it was truly a treat when three of last year’s finalists – Mackenzie Johnson, Yuneer Gainz, and our first Song Challenge winner Khalil Amaru – were new to me, and I heard about them because of the music they wrote in 24 hours. I can’t wait to see who I’m introduced to this year!"

The grand prize winner will get $1,000, a $500 gift card to Russo Music, 10 hours of recording time at MilkBoy Recording Studio, performance slot at the 2025 XPoNential Music Festival, one-year WXPN Program Partner Membership.

The four finalists will each get $500 honorarium, a $100 gift card to Russo Music, and a one-year WXPN Membership

The judging panel consists of:

• Mike Vasilikos – WXPN Midday Host & New Music Show
• John Vettese – Editor, XPN.org & Host of WXPN Local
• Raina Douris – Host of World Cafe
• Kristen Kurtis – WXPN Morning Show Host
• Khalil Amaru – 2024 WXPN 24-Hour Song Challenge Winner
• Sadie Dupuis – Musician, poet, and producer
• Edward Canny - 2025 WXPN Member Judge
• Mark Logsdon - 2025 WXPN Volunteer Judge