Drake to Headline BMI's 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase 4/20

U.S. performing right organization BMI will present its 13th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase Tuesday, April 20, featuring a combination of the recording industry's eminent stars and most-promising unsigned talent. Staged at the Havana Club (3112 Piedmont Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA), the event begins at 10 p.m.; doors open at 9 p.m. The festivities are open to the public; attendees must be 21 years old with valid identification. For $29.95, limited advance tickets are available; visit http://tinyurl.com/yzdhmkw. For table reservations, please call (404) 261-5151 and ask for Byron Wright or Liz VanGraafeiland.

Headliners for the highly anticipated night of music are hip-hop heir apparent Drake, who will be performing with a live band, and Atlanta-based hip-hop group Travis Porter. Attendees will be treated to a night of the high-energy performances synonymous now with BMI's annual Unsigned Urban Showcase, which has previously featured Lil Wayne, NAS, and Trey Songz. Hosting the event will be R&B recording artist Lloyd, with music by DJ Ruckus.

Aspiring artists from all urban genres, including r&b, rap, and hip-hop, were encouraged to apply for the opportunity to perform at this lauded, star-spotting annual showcase. Pulled out of the 700 submissions received, four finalists will be announced soon to compete in front of a panel of music industry heavyweights, including top executives, artists, producers, managers and attorneys. The winner will receive an array of prizes (the '09 prizes included studio time, a trip to the BMI Urban Awards, a photo shoot and much more). Last year's unsigned winner, Est. 80 (formerly 718) are currently in the studio working on their Capitol Records debut.

The night provides a unique opportunity for BMI affiliates to showcase before a room of industry professionals. The final four will perform for a panel of celebrity judges including producer Bangladesh (Ludacris, Lil Wayne); Def Jam Recording V.P. and Co-CEO of Konvict Muzik Abou Thiam; Interscope, Geffen, A&M Senior VP of A&R Shawn "Tubbie" Holiday; Sony/ATV Music Publishing's Tab Nkhereanye; attorney and manager Nova Perry; producer Damon Thomas (Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown); music consultant Lisa Vu; and producer Zaytoven (Gucci Mane, Usher).

BMI will also present the Legends of ATL Award to a community leader, recognizing his or her contributions to the Atlanta music scene. Past recipients of the prestigious honor include Big Oomp, Organized Noize, Dallas Austin and Lil' Jon.

Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 400,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI reported $905 million for its 2009 fiscal year in performing right collections. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for 70 years. The U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

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