The Billboard R&b/hip-hop Conference

As Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Conference gears up for its third year,the cast of participants continues to grow. Established and up-and-coming recording artists, major and independent-label executives, publishing executives and other leading industry experts will be on hand to network, exchange ideas and discuss music-business trends. Capping the festivities once again is Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Awards Show, now in its second year.

Sponsored this year by American Urban Radio Networks and presenting sponsor Heineken, the conference takes place Aug. 7-9 in Miami Beach, with events being staged at the Roney Palace Hotel and BillboardLive, a state-of-the-art venue in South Beach.

Through its partnership with American Urban Radio Networks, the conference will offer national coverage of its various events to more than 400 radio stations with a combined listenership of 20 million people. That station roster includes WBLS New York, KJLH Los Angeles, WGCI Chicago, KKDA Dallas, WHUR Washington, D.C., KMJQ Houston and WEDR Miami. AURN's scheduled network and syndicated coverage will feature artist interviews, event recaps, live broadcasts of several of its nationally syndicated shows and a portion of the awards ceremony.

A major conference highlight will be a keynote Q&A session with Usher-the first such exclusive for the conference. Usher will field questions from Gail Mitchell, Billboard's associate editor of rap and R&B, on a range of topics. The Q&A session will take place Friday, Aug. 9, at 11:30 a.m.

HONOR BOUND
With eight nominations, Usher also heads the list of finalists for the awards show, which kicks off later that evening at BillboardLive. The show will honor top names in R&B and hip-hop, including songwriter and producer of the year, as well as major and independent labels of the year.

Encompassing a total of 17 categories, the awards are determined by the actual sales and radio-airplay data that informs Billboard's weekly charts. Finalists, and the eventual winners, reflect performance of recordings on Billboard's R&B/ Hip-Hop and Rap charts. (See related finalists listing.)

Another first for the conference will be the presentation of Billboard Founder's Awards. Inaugural honorees are the Isley Brothers, featuring Ronald Isley, and Afrika Bambaataa. The Founder's Awards are designed to honor the career-long achievements and influential roles that pivotal artists have played in R&B, hip-hop and rap music.

PANEL BRIEFINGS
As in years past, the conference promises exciting dialogues and idea exchanges, thanks to thought-provoking panels on the industry's hottest issues.
"Radio Programming in the 21st Century," the first of two radio-oriented panels presented by Billboard and sponsor AURN, will address such subjects as breaking radio's formulaic bonds, seeking non-traditional revenue, cost-effective marketing/promotion and radio's social responsibility. The moderator is Derrick Brown, PD of WHQT Miami. Panelists confirmed at press time include Cedric Hollywood, PD, WEDR Miami, and Cynthia Johnson, VP of urban promotion at J Records.

"Urban Music in the Digital Age," the second Billboard/AURN radio panel, will address such subjects as online promotional opportunities, community sites (such as Okayplayer.com), wireless communications, Internet radio, satellite radio and what the future holds for on-air personalities. Panelists include Lee Bailey Communications president Lee Bailey, Music Choice director of programming Damon Williams, NuFace Entertainment CEO Rita Lee, Select Records CEO Fred Munao, Hip-Hop Nation TV producer Kevin Thomas and Untouchables Entertainment Group chief Edward "Eddie F" Ferrell. Ken Spellman, CEO of Soundcheck Inc., is the moderator.

"What's the 411? Everything You Need to Know About the Music Industry" is moderated by Billboard's Gail Mitchell. This panel will give attendees the chance to chat with and ask questions of industry experts in entertainment law, publishing, management and other areas. Among the topics up for discussion are handling label start-ups, artist contracts, copyright issues, distribution pacts, licensing for film, TV and other projects, and national ad endorsements. Panelists include attorney James E. McMillan, the Royalty Network president Frank Liwall, BMI/ Atlanta's assistant VP of writer/publisher relations Catherine Brewton, Music World Entertainment president/CEO Mathew Knowles and Darkchild Inc. CEO/producer Rodney Jerkins.

MORE TOPICS
A wide variety of topics will be discussed at "Redefining the Retail/ Record Relationship," among them, combatting CD burning and downloading, setting more effective label-release schedules and making longer commitments to releases. The moderator is Barry Beal, president of Shantinique Music in Detroit. He will be joined by George Daniels, president of retail outlet George's Music Room, and Gary Wade, president of Omni Music Distribution, among others.

The panel "A&R: What Really Happens After Signing the Dotted Line?," moderated by Billboard's Rashaun Hall, will examine how artists get signed and will also feature a workshop during which unsigned acts may have their demos critiqued. Panelists are Max Gouse, Epic Records' VP of A&R, GoodVibe Recordings' Matt Kahane, Mama's Boys Management principals Jerome Hipps and Mike McArthur and producer Mike City.

"Independent Labels: The New Auditioning Ground for the Majors or Able to Stand Alone?" will have panelists discuss what it means to be an independent label in this era of consolidation, restructuring, decreasing record sales and a slow-to-recover economy. Participants include Sound of Atlanta president Gene Griffin, Real Deal Records executive VP/GM Al Manerson, independent label consultant/
marketing specialist Jay King, Cipher Records president Parrish Johnson, independent label consultant Kevin Evans, and artist Betty Wright, who also operates Ms. B Records. Billboard contributor Rhonda Baraka will serve as moderator.

Punch Media president Lauren Coleman leads "Rhythmic Exchange Program," a discussion that will assess contemporary R&B/hip-hop's power base overseas and the opportunities that exist for further growth. Among those joining Coleman will be Def Jam International head Chonita Floyd and Gray & Co. (Manchester, England) attorney Rudi Kidd.

"The Gospel According To..." panel will be moderated by Dedrick Joyner, music director and host of Sheridan Gospel Network's Praise Party. He will examine gospel music's growing mainstream popularity and future opportunities. Panelists include Verity Records president Max Siegel, artist Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child), EMI Gospel & Dexterity Sounds director of marketing Carla Williams, operations manager for Radio One's gospel stations Jerry Smith and Verity contemporary gospel artist Deitrick Haddon.

Additional conference highlights include the pre-awards show/welcoming bash, "Salute to the Finalists," presented by AURN, artist showcases by established and unsigned artists, and various exhibits. Preceding the conference's Aug. 7 kickoff will be BMI's invitation-only Urban Music Awards on Aug. 6 at Club Tropigala in Miami's Fontainebleau Hilton Resorts & Towers.