July 05, 2012 | By Gail Mitchell, Los Angeles
(L-R): BET’s Kelly Griffin, LaToya Jackson, BET’s Stephen Hill, Katherine Jackson and Rebbie Jackson. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images/BET Networks)BET Awards 2012 is now part of television history. However, music still matters at BET as soundly evidenced by the cable network’s third annual Music Matters showcase (July 2).
Featuring five emerging acts, the live showcase warmed up an unseasonable chilly evening on the rooftop of the Creative Artists Agency‘s Century City (Los Angeles) office. Performing three-song mini-sets against a sweeping view of the city were soul/alternative/folk singer/songwriter/musicianJennah Bell , R&B/electronic pop singer/songwriter Austin Brown, So So Def/ I Am Other/ Epicsinger Leah Labelle and R&B/soul singer/songwriters Charles Perry and Jessy Wilson.
(L-R): Charles Perry, BET’sGriffin and singers Austin Brown, Leah LaBelle, Jessy Wilson and Jennah Bell (bottom center). (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images/BET Networks)Spotted in the crowd of industry executives, music writers and artists were CAA managing partner/head of music Rob Light, BET president of music programming and specials Stephen Hilland senior director of music programming Kelly Griffin, managers Damien Smith ( Jennifer Hudson), Toya Hankins ( Kem) and Eli Davis ( Anthony Hamilton), Primary Violator Management executive Chauncey Bell, Boardwalk exec. VP Larry Wade, Stevie Wonder,Keyshia Cole and newly signed RCA artist Mali Magic, comedian Chris Tucker and directorSpike Lee. Also on hand were Michael Jackson family members Katherine Jackson, LaToya Jackson and Rebbie Jackson, cheering on Rebbie’s son Austin Brown.
BET’s Kelly Griffin, Rebbie Jackson and her son Austin Brown. (Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images/BET Networks)While introducing his and Pharrell Williams discovery Leah Labelle, songwriter/producerJermaine Dupri noted, “I want to thank BET for doing this. It’s important that we support live music, instrumentation and singers.”