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Ready to take your sound to sea? The Groove Cruise Undiscovered DJ Contest is back for 2027, giving one rising artist the opportunity to perform aboard Groove Cruise Miami 2027 and take a major step toward their next chapter in dance music.
This year, Groove Cruise is teaming up with DJ Lovers Club, a leading dance music media, experiences, and community brand, to discover the next wave of talent. With a career-launching performance opportunity, industry exposure, fan support, and a prize package valued at more than $5,000, this is your chance to get your music in front of the people who can help take it further.
Whether you're an emerging DJ ready to share your sound or a Captain eager to help discover the next big name in dance music, it's time to get involved.
For more than two decades, Groove Cruise has brought unforgettable performances and rising talent to the seas. The Undiscovered DJ Contest continues that tradition by giving emerging artists an opportunity to step beyond the bedroom DJ setup and onto a major stage.
Over the years, the contest has helped artists build momentum, connect with new audiences, and turn a single opportunity into a lasting career milestone. Past winners and alumni, including Alley Kay, Doc Brown, SHAM, and 2026 winner Kindred, demonstrate the potential of a Groove Cruise breakthrough.
For 2027, the contest is entering a new chapter with DJ Lovers Club joining Groove Cruise to help discover and elevate emerging DJ talent.
And this year's format brings a fresh approach. While last year's contest expanded into producer submissions and featured the Beatport and LabelRadar partnership, the 2027 Undiscovered DJ Contest centers on a 30-minute DJ mix, a public voting round, and expert judging by Groove Cruise and DJ Lovers Club, followed by a final evaluation from a panel of Groove Cruise artists.
The goal remains the same: discover an artist with something special to share and give them a meaningful opportunity to take their career to the next level.
Think you have what it takes to join the Groove Cruise 2027 lineup?
The first step is simple: create and submit a 30-minute DJ mix that showcases your sound, technical ability, track selection, and personality as an artist.
All entries must be submitted by November 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The Groove Cruise and DJ Lovers Club teams will review submissions for the next stage. Video submissions are highly encouraged, but audio-only submissions will also be accepted.
For video submissions:
You must be 21 or older to enter. Submit Your DJ Mix Here.
Approved entries advance to a public voting round, where fans can help their favorite DJs move into the Top 20. There are two ways to support an artist:
Here's where the contest makes an impact beyond the music: donations support Whet Foundation's Destination Donation initiative, benefiting Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Boys & Girls Club of The Bahamas.
Public voting determines the Top 20 only. Free and paid votes are combined for the standings in this round, but vote totals do not carry forward into subsequent judging rounds. Entries and public voting close on November 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
Once the Top 20 are determined, Groove Cruise/Whet Travel and DJ Lovers Club will review the remaining artists to select the Top 10 finalists. A Top 10 announcement will be made on November 13, 2026.
Judging criteria include:
This stage looks beyond popularity to identify artists who demonstrate the skills, creativity, and potential to make the most of a major performance opportunity.
The Top 10 finalists will be evaluated by a panel of Groove Cruise artists, who will select the contest winner. The winner is scheduled to be announced on November 17, 2026, during State of the Ocean.
Imagine stepping aboard Allure of the Seas, joining thousands of music-loving Captains, and sharing your sound at Groove Cruise Miami 2027.
One winner will receive a prize package valued at more than $5,000, designed to support their performance and give their career a boost beyond the contest.
The grand prize includes:
The biggest prize is more than a performance slot. It's the opportunity to introduce your sound to the Groove Cruise community, gain exposure through industry partners, and become part of an experience known for its passionate music community. For an emerging artist, that kind of opportunity can be an important step toward new connections, future bookings, and continued growth.
The Undiscovered DJ Contest isn't only about finding the next artist to watch. It's also an opportunity for the dance music community to support causes that make a difference.
During the public voting round, fans can support their favorite DJs through donations that generate additional votes. Those donations benefit Whet Foundation's Destination Donation initiative, supporting Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Boys & Girls Club of The Bahamas.
“There are talented DJs in this community who just need someone to give them a shot. I want our Captains helping us discover someone they believe in, then giving that artist the opportunity to share their music with the GCFAM along with supporting Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Boys & Girls Club of The Bahamas through Whet Foundation. And I’d love this campaign to create a positive ripple beyond whoever wins. That’s the Groove Effect,” says Jason Beukema, Owner & Chief Excitement Officer of Groove Cruise and Whet Travel.
It's a chance for Captains to do what the GCFAM does best: champion talent, lift each other up, and create something meaningful together. Every donation helps support the designated charitable initiative, while every vote gives fans a way to participate in the search for the next undiscovered artist.
To enter the Groove Cruise 2027 Undiscovered DJ Contest, submit a 30-minute DJ mix by November 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The Groove Cruise and DJ Lovers Club teams will review submissions, with approved entries advancing to a public voting round. Enter the contest here.
The grand prize is valued at more than $5,000 and includes a DJ set on Groove Cruise Miami 2027, a complimentary stateroom for two (excluding taxes and fees), up to $600 in travel reimbursement, Groove Cruise and DJ Lovers Club merchandise, a DJ Lovers Club feature and promotion, Custom Pro Series Earplugs, and more.
During the public voting round, fans can vote for each DJ once per day for free. They can also make donations through Tiltify, with every $1 donated counting as two additional votes for their selected DJ. Donations support Whet Foundation's Destination Donation initiative, benefiting Ranfurly Homes for Children and the Boys & Girls Club of The Bahamas. Public voting determines the Top 20, and vote totals do not carry over into later judging rounds. Entries and public voting close on November 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
After public voting determines the Top 20, Groove Cruise/Whet Travel and DJ Lovers Club will evaluate those DJs based on technical ability, track selection, creativity, flow, energy, fit with Groove Cruise programming, professional readiness, and artist potential. The Top 10 finalists will then be judged by a panel of Groove Cruise artists, who will select the winner. The winner is scheduled to be announced on November 17, 2026, during State of the Ocean.
Visit the Groove Cruise x DJ Lovers Club Undiscovered DJ Contest for details, rules, and to submit your mix.
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