Chicago rappper Common and his Common Ground Foundation has teamed up with MTV and The Kaiser Family to launch a lyric contest called “A Minute” to promote HIV testing.

To be part of the contest, fans will have to visit www.aminutecontest.com to submit original poems or lyrics that address why getting tested for HIV is important.

The submissions, which can be in text, audio or video,  have to be no longer than a minute or less.

The winning entry will be performed by Common in a special public service announcement (PSA) that will premiere on National HIV Testing Day (June 27) and air throughout the summer on MTV2 and mtvU, MTV's college network, as well as be available on demand at http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/.

“It's important to know your status by getting tested because HIV/AIDS is taking a lot of lives in our community and around the world,” Common said in a statement.  “I had an uncle succumb to HIV, so I have  personally felt the impact of the disease.  Your lyrics can really have an affect on people's lives and I have  seen it happen.”