For our third annual pumpkin carving contest, we asked you to mix hip-hop and Halloween and you didn’t disappoint. Our inbox was filled with some awesome carvings of Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Kanye West, and Jay-Z. But we had to whittle it down to three jack-o’-lanterns that stood out from the pack.

Mandy sent chills down our spine with her thrilling carving of Michael Jackson as a zombie from his iconic “Thriller” video. Her attention to detail and technique won her first place and a Sony Bloggie 3D camera. Congrats!

Check out second and third place and some honorable mentions below.

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Break out the knives. Rap-Up’s pumpkin carving contest is back for a third year. With Halloween around the corner, we’re once again looking for the best hip-hop-inspired jack-o’-lanterns. Past entries have included a parental advisory sticker, Michael Jackson tribute, and even a dressed up Lil Wayne. This year we’re hoping to see a Nicki Minaj or two, Tyler, the Creator, or maybe a pumpkin inspired by Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne. The best creations will win some dope products and be featured on Rap-Up.com. Check out the prizes and enter below!

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We asked you to carve up some hip-hop-inspired pumpkins for Halloween and you definitely delivered. Our inbox was flooded with Rihannas, Rick Rosses, Weezys, Nicki Minajs, and Jay-Zs. But there were three jack-o’-lanterns that stood out from the pack.

Mad Dog’s Parental Advisory pumpkin showed a high level of detail and creativity, but it came with an even better explanation: “I decided to carve something to scare all of the parents out there.” Congrats to our first place winner, who will receive a prize pack worth nearly $500 including Denon AH-D2000 advanced over-ear headphones, Logitech iPod speaker S315i, and Rihanna’s photo book.

Check out some of the other winners and runners-up below.

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Goblins, ghosts, and Gucci Mane, oh my! Rap-Up.com’s pumpkin carving contest is back by popular demand. With less than a week to go before Halloween, we’re once again looking for the best hip-hop-inspired jack-o’-lanterns. So bust out those knives and start carving! It may just win you Denon headphones, a Flip MinoHD cam, Logitech iPod speaker, and/or a copy of Rihanna’s new photo book. Enter below!

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The three winners for Rap-Up.com’s first-ever pumpkin carving contest have been revealed. Brian’s thrilling carving of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, reigns above the competition and scores a T-Mobile Dash 3G smartphone. Check out the second and third place jack-o’-lanterns below.

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Hip-hop meets Halloween with Rap-Up.com’s first-ever pumpkin carving contest. With the holiday right around the corner, we’re looking for the best hip-hop-inspired jack-o’-lanterns. So sharpen those knives and start carving! It may just win you a spooktacular prize. Details below.

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In celebration of The-Dream’s debut album LoveHate, we’re giving away 3 copies of his CD, in stores today. The album features the hit single “Shawty is a 10″ and the follow-up single, “Falsetto.” All you have to do to enter is send an email telling us your dream gift for the holidays. 50 words max. Make sure to put “Dream” in the subject. Winners will be notified by email.

THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Rap-Up.com has teamed up with T-Mobile to give away a brand new
Sidekick iD (value $299.99) plus a black bumper set (value $19.99) to one lucky reader. The Sidekick iD is all about personalization at an accessible price. Users can easily remove and replace the exterior of the device with fashionable color panels to fit their personal style, mood, or to match a certain outfit. The Sidekick iD features a large screen and a full-QWERTY keyboard, as well as voice calling, email, instant messaging, text messaging, and Web browsing.

All you have to do to enter is purchase a copy of Rap-Up‘s May/June issue and answer the following question:

Which artist asked Ciara a Pass the Mic! question? HINT: Look on page 66.

Email your answer along with your full name, age, and address to sidekick@rap-up.com. We will randomly select one winner from all correct entries. Contest ends Monday, May 28th.

The May/June issue of Rap-Up is on sale now. You can purchase your copy right here or at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Wal-Mart, Books-A-Million, Hastings, B. Dalton, and 7-Eleven.

Sidekick iD courtesy of T-Mobile.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS FOR ENTERING.

Can you guess who’s on the new cover of Rap-Up? Guess one of the two artists who will be on the cover of our May/June issue. Post your guess in the comments below. Two (2) lucky winners will be chosen from all the correct entries to receive a year’s subscription to the magazine. Make sure you post with your correct email so we can contact the winners. One entry allowed per person. Check back here on Wednesday, May 2nd, when we unveil the May/June cover. Good luck!

HINT: One artist is a male rapper and the other is a female R&B singer.