BMI Urban Showcase to Feature Top New Talent

Posted in News on April 19, 2006

BMI will team up with Atlanta nightclub Vision to present an urban music showcase featuring some of the country's most promising new talent. The showcase will be held on Thursday, April 27 from 8 p.m. to midnight at Vision (1068 Peachtree St. NE) and will be hosted by BME and 8th Grade Music Publishing's Lil Jon and Emperor Searcy. The festivities are open to the general public, but tickets will only be available the night of the show at the door; there are no advance sales. Party-goers must be at least 21 with valid identification.

Lil Jon and Emperor Searcy	Suga Suga

Scheduled to perform are Atlanta's own Suga Suga, California-based Leo, Atlanta's Malachi and Philadelphia band Thunderkatz. The finalists were chosen by a group of top BMI songwriters, producers and industry executives from over 300 submissions.

Leo	Malachi	Thunderkatz

The final four will perform for a panel of celebrity judges that includes multi-platinum producer DJ Toomp (T.I., Lil Jon, Ludacris), multi-platinum songwriter and producer Sean Garrett (Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige), Block Enterprises CEO Russell "Block" Spencer, Sho'Nuff/Warner Bros. recording artist Jody Breeze, and influential songwriter and producer Jazze Pha (Ciara, T.I., Outkast). The winner will receive prizes including an iPod; airfare, accommodations and two tickets to the 2006 BMI Urban Awards; and two tracks produced by BMI Grammy-nominated production duo Cool & Dre.

This showcase is an opportunity for unsigned BMI affiliates to perform before a room of industry professionals and some of Atlanta's most influential music-makers, including multi-platinum recording artist and actor Big Boi of Outkast and a special appearance by Def Jam recording artist Young Jeezy.

The night will kick off with a celebrity fashion show set to the spins of DJ Drama, featuring the latest collection from the new Karl Kani line, Live Life & Love Denim, and swimwear from Atlanta Beach. Models will include Def Jam recording artist Ne-Yo, Atlantic recording artist Trey Songz and America's Next Top Model contestant Nik.

Rounding out the evening will be the presentation of the first BMI Legends of ATL Award, recognizing songwriters and producers for their accomplishments in Atlanta's urban music community.

"This annual event is another way that BMI supports the urban music community in Atlanta and on the national scene," said BMI's Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta. "Ne-Yo is one of the hottest artists on the charts today and by merging music and fashion, this night will be filled with excitement. It's an important tribute to the impact urban music has had and continues to have on a national level, and how Atlanta has been ground-zero for much of it."

SOURCENews TAGS R&B / Hip-Hop Artists Cool & Dre Jamie Foxx Sean Garrett Jazze Pha Leo Lil Jon Trey Songz Suga Suga Thunderkatz