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The Bay's Biggest Legends Want Your Remix

TIME
Submissions
Submission Starts
from
APR 08, 2025
to
APR 20, 2025
TIME
Voting
Submission Starts
from
APR 23, 2025
to
APR 30, 2025
soon
Winners Announcement
Submission Starts
TBD
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

Get Heard by Legends

P-Lo, Too $hort, and E-40 are calling on producers to flip their Bay Area anthem "Had To" into something brand new. This track is packed with energy, swagger, and iconic flows, and now it’s your turn to remix it for the NBA 2K25 soundtrack. Submit your version and get heard by the legends themselves. Share your remix with #GSERemixChallenge to climb the community vote leaderboard, or skip the line with a BeatStars Professional membership and go straight to the judges. One remix will be considered to make the game. Will it be yours?
Submission & Voting Period
May 1 to May 13
Review Period
May 13 to June 3
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

Where Gaming Meets The Bay

The Warriors dominate on the court. P-Lo, Too $hort, and E-40 dominate in the studio. Now they want to see who can dominate the remix game. "Had To" embodies the energy, swagger, and innovation that defines the Bay Area — from hyphy beats to legendary flows. Your challenge is to transform this track into something that will not only honor these artists but also energize gamers stepping onto the NBA 2K25 courts.
exclusive prizes!

Exclusive prizes
you can win

1
st
Place
  • Consideration of your remix to be featured in NBA 2K25’s official soundtrack
  • Digital copies of NBA 2K25 / 26
  • A 1-year BeatStars Professional subscription
  • $1,000 worth of BeatStars Promote credits
  • Featured promotion across BeatStars channels
2
nd
Place
  • A 6-month BeatStars Professional subscription
  • $500 worth of BeatStars Promote credits
  • Featured promotion across BeatStars channels
3
rd
Place
  • A 3-month BeatStars Professional subscription
  • $250 worth of BeatStars Promote credits
  • Featured promotion across BeatStars channels
WHERE GAMING MEETS THE BAY

Flip "Had To" into the next NBA 2K anthem

The Bay doesn’t follow trends. It creates them. "Had To" brings that raw energy straight from the streets to the studio, and now it’s your turn to take it even further. Bring your style. Push the sound. Drop a remix that slaps so hard it makes every 2K court feel like the Bay. This is your shot to make history in the game and get heard by P-Lo, Too $hort, and E-40.
Meet our partners!

The Remix Challenge Hosts

BeatStars
WORLD’S #1 MUSIC MARKETPLACE
Where hits begin. BeatStars connects 10M+ creators worldwide and powers tracks for music's biggest names like Beyoncé, Drake and Rihanna. This is your chance to work with the best producers in the industry.
Golden State Entertainment
THE WARRIORS' CUTTING-EDGE MUSIC LABEL
Golden State Entertainment, an affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, produces compelling documentaries, drops cutting-edge music, and hosts events and experiences to tell the stories of those who shape and move culture around the globe.
NBA 2K
#1 SPORTS GAMING POWERHOUSE
The sports franchise that has defined generations of gaming. With a legacy of featuring artists from Kendrick Lamar to Lil Wayne, and a reach of millions of players worldwide, NBA 2K continues to bridge the gap between gaming and music.
P-Lo
BAY AREA SOUND INNOVATOR
P-Lo is a Bay Area rapper, songwriter, and producer known for defining the modern Bay Area sound with a blend of hyphy energy and West Coast vibes. His infectious beats and collaborations with G-Eazy, Kehlani, and YG have made him an influential force in hip-hop.
Too $hort
HIP-HOP PIONEER
With a 40-year career spanning five decades, Too $hort is an Oakland legend with six platinum albums. The only artist to collaborate with Tupac, Biggie, and JAY-Z, his influence permeates through modern music, sampled by Drake, Nicki Minaj, and countless others.
E-40
LEGENDARY BAY AREA ICON
Earl "E-40" Stevens has established himself as a pioneering force in hip-hop over a career spanning more than 30 years. With a record-setting 32 Billboard 200 chart entries and collaborations with Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, and Snoop Dogg, he continues to influence the culture.

Top Voted Entries

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View all submissions

Shoot your shot!

Transform "Had To" into gaming history. Show P-Lo, Too $hort, E-40 and NBA 2K what you've got. Be sure to share your entry on socials with #GSERemixChallenge & tag us for votes — only the top 100 submissions OR Professional members will get reviewed.

frequently asked questions

What is the BPM & Key of 'Had To'?

Tempo: 90 BPM, Key: G#minor

Where do I upload my remix?

Upload your remix to YouTube.com. If you don’t know how to create a video file you can use a site like TunesToTube.com to upload your audio to YouTube. You MUST include your remix entry link in your YouTube video description to qualify!

How do I submit my remix?

Click “Submit Now!” on the main menu to enter the challenge.

How many submissions am I allowed?

Each participant may submit 1 entry only.

Can I submit a collab remix?

Yes, you can enter a collab remix, but please note that the prizes are only available to one winner.

Am I eligible to enter?

Yes, the Remix Challenge is open to everybody.

How can I vote?

Voting is open throughout the duration of the submission period. Simply select the remix you wish to vote for and click the button to place a vote. Each user is allowed 1 vote per day. Click here to see all the remix submissions.

How much does voting matter in the Remix Challenge?

Votes from the community play a major role in the Remix Challenge. ONLY the top 100 most-voted submissions will advance to the review round (with the exception of BeatStars Professional plan members, who will automatically advance). It’s recommended to leverage social media, promote your submission extensively (use #GSERemixChallenge and tag us), and engage with the online music community to gather support and votes. Users with more votes will also have a higher likelihood of being selected for free promotion via submission highlights on social media.

What happens if I don't get many votes?

If you're not a Professional plan member, your remix needs to rank in the top 100 most-voted submissions to reach the review round. Want to skip the voting process? Upgrade to the Professional plan and get your remix directly to the judges.

Is it necessary to be a Professional plan member?

No, but the Professional plan gives you two key benefits: automatic entry into the review round (no voting required) and increased chances of being featured in our social media promotional content.

Where can I download the song for the Remix Challenge?

You can download the song 'Had To' here.

How do I download the A Capella?

You must be a BeatStars member and be logged in to access and download the A Capella. Sign up/Log in here

Is there an entry fee?

No, there is no entry fee to participate in this Remix Challenge.

When is the last day to submit my remix?

The final day to submit is Tuesday, May 13th 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.

How can I increase my chances of winning?

Submit your best remix, then actively promote your submission page to gather votes. Engage with the BeatStars community and share your entry on social media using #GSERemixChallenge and tag BeatStars to maximize your visibility and support. By becoming a Professional plan member, you’ll also get automatic entry into the review round, skipping the need for votes entirely.

How will the winners be contacted?

Winners will be notified directly via email by the BeatStars team once decisions are finalized.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the Remix Challenge?

If you have any questions or concerns, please email support@beatstars.com, and the BeatStars team will assist you.

Copyright @ 2025 BeatStars. All rights reserved.