Lincoln and Hip-Hop Superstar Common Announce the 'Lincoln Spotlight' Grand Champion Lyricist

Lincoln and Hip-Hop Superstar Common Announce the 'Lincoln Spotlight' Grand Champion Lyricist

DEARBORN, Mich., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- West Hollywood, California resident and aspiring lyricist Jael Gadsen has been chosen the grand champion of the Lincoln Spotlight online music competition by a panel that included Grammy Award-winning hip-hop superstar Common, Grammy-winning music producer Bryan Michael Cox, VIBE magazine editor-in-chief Danyel Smith, music executive Derek Dudley and renowned DJ Tony Touch.

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080509/NYF028 )

Lincoln, the fastest-growing luxury brand in America last year, and Grammy Award-winner Common began the nationwide search for the best and brightest aspiring lyricists in February. Gadsen will be presented with a prize of $10,000 and an opening spot for hip-hop superstar Common at one of his 2008 performances.

"The Lincoln Spotlight competition appealed to me because it gave me the opportunity to write about a topic that I feel very strongly about: reaching high for your dreams and the chance to encourage someone else not to give up," said Gadsen. "Making it to the top five was already the icing on the cake! Actually winning - I am still at a lost for words. All I can say is 'overwhelming excitement!' "

The Lincoln Spotlight contest was open to the public and invited aspiring lyricists to create an original song and video articulating one of Lincoln's brand truths: advancing the American dream, exploring what it means to reach higher, daring to do more and taking pride in one's history.

Contestants were to use music tracks available on www.lincolnlounge.com. Online viewer voting helped determine the top five finalists and Lincoln's panel of music industry experts selected the grand champion. Judging was based on originality and creativity, verbal technique and visual sophistication.

Said Cox, "I was happy to be part of Lincoln Spotlight because it is a great way for young aspiring artists to focus their creativity on positive themes. The contestants had uplifting, inspiring lyrics, but I gave Jael the highest score because she had a sincerity in her delivery that is equally as important as the message when artists perform. The passion that the performer has for the message is what really draws the audience in."

Lincoln Marketing Manager Tom Grill added, "We were really excited by the enthusiasm we received from the public with this contest. Spotlight allowed us the opportunity to give exposure to other talented artists and to celebrate a favorite American pastime - music."

Lyrics by Lincoln Spotlight Winner Jael Gadsen, Copywritten 2008

Song Title: Your Season

Verse 1

Have you ever heard a voice in your head?
It's the voice of your heart telling you
"That you have a higher purpose,
Don't let your life be worthless,
Come on you deserve this!"

Some say that your dreams can't come true
They laugh and they call you a fool
And then you get discouraged
And try to find excuses of why you can't do this!

Oh! You gotta reach for your dreams and you'll see!
That everything you need is within your reach!
Your purpose will take you where you need to be!
Listen to your heart and believe.

Verse 2

You decide to give your dreams a try
Deep inside you know it feels right
Then you start to make some headway!
Then all of a sudden road blocks
Keep landing in your pathway!

People talking, money short and, time is wasting, keep the pace man
Cause you gotta be head strong, keep on pushing on
Cause you're a fighter!
Keep reaching higher!

Oh! You gotta reach for your dreams and you'll see!
That everything you need is within your reach!
Your purpose will take you where you need to be!
Listen to your heart and believe.

Keep reaching higher and higher
Don't ignore your desires
You feel this way for a reason
Soon it'll be your SEASON!

Oh-oh-oh!
Listen to your Heart! Oh Oh oh! Within your reach! Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

Oh you! Keep reaching higher and higher. Oh you! Keep reaching Higher!
h-i-g-h-e-r.

Lincoln and Common

In fall of 2007, Lincoln and rising star and Grammy Award-winning performer Common announced a multifaceted marketing alliance to promote the 2008 Lincoln Navigator and other brand initiatives. The exclusive partnership includes Common's appearances in national television broadcasts, radio and print advertisements. In addition, Lincoln is working with Common to develop other cross-promotional and marketing programs. For example, Common will perform and make personal appearances on behalf of Lincoln at auto shows and dealer events, and will be an integral component of other Lincoln events.

About Lincoln

Award-winning new products, including the new Lincoln MKX crossover, Lincoln MKZ sedan, and Lincoln Navigator, are a few of the key reasons behind Lincoln's growth. In 2007, Lincoln was the market's fastest-growing luxury brand. And that momentum is set to continue in 2008, with a summer launch of an all-new flagship sedan, the Lincoln MKS.

For more information on the Lincoln products, including the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS, visit www.lincoln.com

First Call Analyst:
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Source: Lincoln Mercury

CONTACT: Shelley O'Connor, +1-212-219-7187, soconnor@uniworldgroup.com,
or Mark Schirmer, +1-313-390-8647, mschirme@ford.com, both for Lincoln
Mercury

Web site:

http://www.lincoln.com/
http://www.lincolnlounge.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Go to http://media.ford.com for news releases and high-resolution photographs.

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