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01/19/2004: "Black Eyed Peas to Perform At 2004 Rock the Vote Awards"

N*E*R*D and The Black Eyed Peas to Perform At 2004 Rock the Vote Awards in Honor of Patrick Lippert

Dixie Chicks, Music Industry Leader Richard Foos Among Honorees at 2004 Rock the Vote Awards

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- N*E*R*D and the Black Eyed Peas will perform live Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., when Rock the Vote and MTV present the 11th Annual Rock the Vote Awards in memory of Patrick Lippert at The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Recording artists the Dixie Chicks will be honored with the Rock the Vote Patrick Lippert Award and Richard Foos, founder of Rock the Vote and Rhino Records, will receive the 2004 Rock the Vote Founders Award. This year's Rock the Vote Awards are sponsored by Cingular Wireless and DNL, the powerful rush of green from the makers of 7UP.

"This year's honorees have used their star power to raise awareness about important issues such as freedom of expression and social activism, which lie at the heart of Rock the Vote's mission," said Jehmu Greene, president, Rock the Vote. "Their voices will help inspire a new generation of 20 million voters to find their own voices at the polls this November and ultimately change their world."

"As part of '20 Million Loud,' MTV is once again proud to partner with Rock the Vote in 2004 to reach out to young adult voters," said Ian Rowe, VP, MTV Strategic Partnerships and Public Affairs. "With more than 20 million votes up for grabs for the Presidential election, now more than ever it is important to honor and celebrate those who can motivate, activate, and inspire young voters to go to the polls on Election Day."

Tickets to the annual fundraiser are available to the public and can be purchased by calling Blue Room Entertainment at 310/491-1401 or www.rockthevote.com .

The Rock the Vote Awards in memory of Patrick Lippert commemorate Rock the Vote's first executive director who died of complications from AIDS in July of 1993. His legacy lives on, inspiring both those who knew him and those who will never have the opportunity. The awards ceremony recognizes in its honorees the activist in the artist, and the spirit that was Patrick's greatest gift -- the belief that each of us can use our talents to reach out to others and take part in creating a better future for our country and world.

Previous Rock the Vote honorees include: Dave Matthews, Destiny's Child, Neil Young, Wyclef Jean, Sting, Bono, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Queen Latifah, Hootie & the Blowfish, Sheryl Crow, L.L. Cool J., Beastie Boys, Peter Gabriel, Alanis Morissette, Chuck D, President Bill Clinton, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Aaron Sorkin.

The Dixie Chicks are receiving the 2004 Patrick Lippert Award for their enduring commitment to preserving and protecting freedom of expression. Following the controversy that surrounded them last March, the Dixie Chicks partnered with Rock the Vote in July 2003 and launched Chicks Rock, Chicks Vote, an initiative to engage and empower young women to become active in the political process by voting.

Richard Foos is the CEO of Shout! Factory and founder and former president of Rhino Entertainment, a multimedia operation as creative as it is innovative. Rhino is one of America's most socially responsible businesses, providing its employees with unique opportunities and incentives to get involved in community service work. Richard built a multi-million dollar enterprise by fostering ethical business practices and community involvement in the process.

N*E*R*D will release their highly anticipated new CD, "Fly or Die" on March 16. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo are nominated for multiple GRAMMYs for both performing and songwriting and producing work as the Neptunes, including two for Pharrell for Best Rap/Song Collaboration, for the songs, "Beautiful" and "Frontin'." Chad and Pharrell also have two nominations for Best Rap Song, with "Beautiful" and "Excuse Me Miss," as well as a being nominated for Best Producer of the year.

The Black Eyed Peas, recipients of their first-ever American Music Award, are nominated for three GRAMMYs, including Record of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Engineered Album. Their CD, "Elephunk," has gone gold and spawned the number one single "Where is the Love?"

ABOUT ROCK THE VOTE

Founded in 1990 by members of the recording industry, Rock the Vote is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and empowering young people to change their world. Over the past decade, Rock the Vote has called on young people to recognize their role in creating significant political and social change. In addition to registering over three million new young voters, Rock the Vote street teams are engaging young people as civic activists in their communities and contributors to the political process. These street teams have organized, educated and registered voters at thousands of concerts, community festivals, college campuses, pride events and coffee shops across the nation.

ABOUT CHOOSE OR LOSE

Originally launched in 1992, "Choose or Lose" is MTV's comprehensive pro-social campaign to inform young adults about the political process, voice their most urgent political concerns, compel leading Presidential candidates to address those concerns, and mobilize massive numbers of young adults aged 18-30 to register and vote. In 2004, MTV's "Choose or Lose" on-air and off-air programming will include regular news segments, issue-based specials, candidate interviews, primary and convention coverage and grass-roots events, and will culminate with an election night wrap-up.

For further information please contact: Jamie Falkowski or Kelly Sheehan, both of Porter Novelli, +1-310-444-7009, for Rock the Vote