VIBE MUSICFEST PRESENTED BY BURGER KING ANNOUNCES EXPO WEEKEND EVENT SCHEDULE

SEMINARS, CELEBRITY PANELISTS, FASHION SHOWS, AND MUCH MORE!

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Chuck D, Reverend Al Sharpton, Michael Eric Dyson, T-Boz, and others

New York, NY (May 19, 2005) – VIBE President Kenard Gibbs announced an impressive line-up of celebrities, renowned speakers, authors, business leaders, and national influencers who will gather to participate in informative seminars, talent showcases, and other urban events as part of the weekend-long celebration of Black Music Month during the VIBE MusicFest Presented by BURGER KING.

Celebrities and national leaders such as Magic Johnson,Chuck D, Michael Eric Dyson,T-Boz,Latoya London, and Reverend Al Sharpton will participate in seminars scheduled during the day Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC).

Nighttime performances include the recently announced addition of hip hop's very own Lauryn Hill along with Kanye West, John Legend, Big Boi,Ludacris, Faith Evans, Amerie, 112,T.I., Tommy Davidson, Doug E Fresh, KeyshiaCole, and Free. Due to illness, Mary J. Blige is no longer scheduled to perform at the VIBE MusicFest Presented by BURGER KING.

While MusicFest nights will be filled with sounds from the nation’s hottest hip hop legends and leaders, MusicFest days will be filled with everything urban. Inside the GWCC, fest fans will be able to meet their favorite musical artists, celebrities, comedians, and sports icons face-to-face at scheduled meet and greets. From an interactive gaming lounge to a fashion show, beauty makeovers, and a car show, the expo has something for everyone to enjoy.

Outdoors on the International plaza on Saturday and Sunday, expo participants will be treated to Next: Artist Showcases, a live-music stage showcasing the hottest up-and-coming talent. Also on Sunday, festival goers will be treated to a Gospel Review with performances by gospel greats Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, and Hezikiah Walker.

Seminar and Daytime Events Schedule at GWCC:

Saturday, June 11

11:00 a.m. Ethics in Entertainment — Moderated by VIBE contributor Cheo Hodari Coker, who asks, “Where does free speech end and social responsibility begin?” With panelists Ryan Cameron, V103 personality; Pastor Taffi Dollar, inspirational speaker; Michael Eric Dyson, author; Ceasar Mitchell, council member; and Orlando McGhee, senior director of marketing, BME Recordings (Lil Jon and Lil Scrappy).

1:15 p.m. V-Politics — Moderated by OJ Lima, VIBE Editor-at-Large, discusses “Why black youth are detached from the political process.” With Chuck D, political activist; Jehmu Green, executive director of Rock the Vote; Jeff Johnson, host of BET's “Cousin Jeff Chronicles”; Cynthia McKinney, Georgia congresswoman; Kasim Reed, Georgia state senator; and Reverend Al Sharpton, activist.

2:15pm ASCAP Presents “The Hit Factory” — Panelists to be announced shortly.

3:15 pm Free Agent — T Boz will host this talent showcase that will narrow down 10 acts to three and award the winner an opportunity to open Saturday night's VIBE MusicFest concert with one song. Judges will be Kandi Burress, singer-songwriter; LaToya London, “American Idol”; and Shakir Stewart, VP of A&R, Def Jam Records.

Sunday, June 12

11:00 am V-Lit — “Is street lit the only game in town for people of color in the book industry?” Panel will be moderated by Manie Barron with Rob Kenner, Emily Rabonteau, Malaika Adero, Nia Demali, Teri Woods, and Zane as author/panelists.

12:15 pm V-Biz - VIBE music editor Eric Parker moderates “Getting into the Game: What Makes a Successful Entertainment Industry Executive?” with keynote speaker Kedar Massenburg of Kedar Entertainment and panelists Kwame, producer; Kandi Burress, singer-songwriter; Eric Nicks, Universal Records executive; Donald Woodard, attorney; Jini Thornton, business manager; and Chaka Zulu, manager for Ludacris.

2:00 pm VIBE Vixen —“What professional attributes are most necessary to succeed in a male-dominated industry?” Panelists include Laila Ali,Lisa Bonner,Brenda Freeman,Jeanine Griffin,Mimi Valdés, and Johnnie Walker.

3:15 pm Gospel Review — Will include performances by Yolanda Adams,Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, and Hezikiah Walker.

4:00 pm V-Hollywood —Asks the question “Are high grossing Black films taking over the movie mainstream?” VIBE Features Editor Serena Kim moderates with keynote address by Magic Johnson and panelists Elise Neal, actress; Will Packer, Rainforest Films; Bille Woodruff, director; and Samantha Vincent, COO of Tigon Studios & One Race Films.

Tickets to daytime events are available through Ticketmaster and will be available at the Georgia World Congress Center beginning Saturday, June 12. Tickets are $20 for both days if purchased in advance. For schedule updates and an up-to-the-minute schedule of events, please visit www.vibe.com/musicfest.

VIBE is proud topartner with BURGER KING as the festival’s presenting sponsor. Major sponsors of the VIBE MusicFest Presented by BURGER KING are Ford,SoftSheen Carson Colorflash,Moet Hennessy USA,Budweiser, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. GLUE is responsible for coordinating talent management and hospitality.

ABOUT VIBE

Founded in 1993 by music legend Quincy Jones, VIBE magazine is the preeminent brand in urban music and culture. With a guaranteed circulation of 850,000 readers, VIBE, a monthly, reaches an audience of over 8 million. Published by Vibe/Spin Ventures LLC, a leading music/lifestyle media company that also publishes Spin magazine, VIBE recently won the National Magazine Award for General Excellence in its circulation division. The win marked the first time a magazine with a primarily black readership won in the General Excellence category.