BMI PRESENTS 11TH ANNUAL
UNSIGNED URBAN SHOWCASE  IN ATLANTA
Hip-Hop heavyweight Lil’ Wayne, singer/songwriter Sean Garrett aka The Pen
& rising ingénue Teyana Taylor to headline event April 24 at Luckie Lounge

ATLANTA, April 8, 2008 - U.S. performing right organization BMI will present its 11th Annual Unsigned Urban Showcase Thursday, April 24, featuring some of the recording industry’s eminent stars and most promising unsigned talent. Held Thursday, April 24 at Atlanta’s Luckie Lounge (375 Luckie Street), the event begins at 9 p.m.; doors open at 8 p.m. The festivities are open to the public; attendees must be 21-years-old with valid identification. Admission is $20.00 until 10 p.m.

Headliners for the highly-anticipated night of music are Cash Money/Universal Records star Lil’ Wayne; hit-making wordsmith Sean Garrett, aka The Pen; and Star Trak/Interscope buzz recording artist Teyana Taylor, who will each bring their respective high-energy sounds.

Hopefuls from across the country vied for a chance to display their talent in front of Atlanta’s influential, superstar-spotting music community, and the showcase finalists were chosen by a group of top BMI songwriters, producers and industry executives from over 300 submissions. The contenders include southern-bred MC Jarren Benton (Atlanta); r&b crooner Brandon Hines (New York); genre transformers Holly Weerd (Atlanta); and East Point rapper Trimm (Atlanta).

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 Don Vito (Jermaine Dupri, Yung Joc); Universal Music Publishing Vice President Ethiopia Habtemariam; producer DJ Toomp (Kanye West, Ludacris, Rick Ross); producer DJ Montay (“Low,” Flo Rida feat. T-Pain); entertainment attorney Reid Hunter; Chrysalis Music Vice President Val Patton; entertainment attorney Sandra Brown; producer No I.D. (DMX, Janet Jackson, Jay-Z); The Clutch songwriters J. Que (Ciara, Omarion, Usher) and Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis (Mary J. Blige, Omarion, Jennifer Lopez); singer/songwriter Keri Hilson (member of creative hive The Clutch and solo artist signed to Timbaland & Polow da Don’s label Mosley Music Group/Zone 4/Interscope Records); producer Teddy Bishop (LeToya, Usher, Aaliyah); Grand Hustle producer Lil C “C Gutta” (TI, Young Jeezy, Young Dro);  lifestyle specialist Kenny Burns (Kenny Burns Show) and Bad Boy Director of A&R and songwriter/producer Slam (Diddy, Keyshia Cole, Christina Aguilera).

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

For more information on the finalists, visit:

Jarren Benton
www.myspace.com/jarrenbentonthegod

Brandon Hines
www.myspace.com/bhineslovemusic

Holly Weerd
www.myspace.com/hollyweerd

Trimm
www.myspace.com/trimumb

Pictured above are, from left to right, Sean Garret, Teyana Taylor and Lil' Wayne.