2010 VH1 HIP HOP HONORS: THE DIRTY SOUTH Premieres On VH1 6/7

Back for its 7th year, the "2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors" will celebrate the achievements of hip hop with a little southern twist. This year, the show will celebrate the music, the influence and the artists from The South. Previously announced, Jermaine Dupri, J Prince of Rap-A-Lot Records, Luther "Luke" Campbell and The 2 Live Crew, Master P, and Organized Noize will be honored through performances in collaboration with some of today's hottest talent. With performances by Bun B, Lil' Jon, Paul Wall, Pitbull, T-Pain and Trina, to name a few, generations of hip hop will bridge the gap for one exceptional night to set it off with the original style and flavor that sparked and inspired the evolution of this now global music phenomenon. Additional talent will be announced soon. "2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South" will tape from NYC's Hammerstein Ballroom and air on VH1 on Monday, June 7 at 9:00 PM ET/PT.

Making his debut as the host of "2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors" is comedian/actor Craig Robinson, host of NBC's upcoming season of "Last Comic Standing" and star of "The Office" as well as the hit movies "Hot Tub Time Machine," "Pineapple Express," and "Zack and Miri Make a Porno." Craig joins the ranks of previous hosts of VH1's annual celebration which includes 3-time host Tracy Morgan, Vivica A. Fox and co-host MC Lyte who hosted the inaugural VH1 Hip Hop Honors show.

Previous celebrations have honored hip hop luminaries who broke new ground and propelled the genre into the true cultural phenomenon that it has become. Last year's production celebrated the 25th anniversary of Def Jam records, the label that created the stars that pushed hip hop culture forward, including LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Slick Rick, Rick Ross and Rihanna. Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, Julie Greenwald, Bill Stephany, Kevin Liles and LA Reid were honored as the architects of the legendary label.

"2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South" is the first time that the show has honored a particular geographic region for its hip hop celebration. The Southern style of music and its artists, have been significant on the NYC-born genre and helped to expand its appeal worldwide.

"In order to continue our efforts to honor the best in hip hop, it is so important that we recognize the South and the tremendous impact that it has had on hip hop music. The southern experience is one that is unique to America and while filled with its own testimony of trials and triumphs, hip hop has served as a universal medium where the journey is shared. Some of the most popular current hip hop artists are from The South. Our honorees opened the door for the southern story to be told, and it is one that continues to resonate with all people all over the world." said Lee Rolontz, Executive Vice President, Original Music Production and Development, VH1.

VH1 has launched its site dedicated to "2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South" at HipHop.VH1.com with artist profiles, exclusive online programming, show information and more. The site also houses the Hip Hop Rally Machine, a tool that allows users to hype their favorite Dirty South artists and weigh in on who they want to see at the event by socially broadcasting their picks through Twitter and Facebook. A map of the US depicts real-time user activity from around the country by graphically displaying user messages. Performances and other video elements from the event will also be available at HipHop.VH1.com and on VH1 Mobile leading up to and following the on-air premiere of the show.

VH1.com's HipHop.VH1.com, Complex.com and MissInfo.tv have created an exclusive online content partnership for "2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South". The three sites will feature the event leading up to, during and following the June 7 telecast in their own distinct way with artist interviews, show news and editorial features focused on this year's honorees and performers. Select content created by each site will be shared among the three sites and will be offered through a main content feed on HipHop.VH1.com. Additionally, Miss Info, Hot 97 radio personality and journalist will be the official "2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South" backstage host for online video interviews from the event. She will also be the video host for the event's live viewing party on HipHop.VH1.com, Complex.com and MissInfo.tv during the premiere of the show.

"2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South" is executive produced by Lee Rolontz for VH1 and Jac Benson for blacjac Entertainment. Louis J. Horvitz will direct. Nelson George, Fab 5 Freddie and Keshia Williams are co-executive producers.

*All times ET/PT

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile and extensive video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

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