Billboard And MTN DEW Partner To Create Hip-Hop Concert Series Where Fans Control The Action

USA - English

• USA - English

LOS ANGELES, June 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Billboard and MTN DEW today announced the first-of-its-kind, interactive concert series, where fans can control the action on stage. At each event, Billboard will create a crowd-fed livestream on Twitter and Facebook that will source and integrate fan comments, hashtags, and engagements that will then be used to affect the concert in real time. For instance, fans will be able to influence the artist's opening song by voting on a Twitter poll before the performance and livestream viewers could get a shoutout from the artist during her set.

"Billboard is committed to Hip-Hop and we are thrilled to work with MTN DEW to create this unforgettable, interactive fan experience and innovative concert series," said Julian Holguin, EVP Brand Partnerships, Billboard.

Hip-Hop star Rico Nasty will headline the first concert in Long Beach, CA on June 14th before the series heads to Atlanta, GA in September and New York City in October. Rico Nasty catapulted onto the scene in 2016 with the release of her viral singles, "ICarly" and "Hey Arnold" and has since steadily amassed a cult-like following. In 2018, she released her genre-bending, debut effort "Nasty" and in 2019 she released her sophomore album "Anger Management," assisted by Kenny Beats. The events will be powered by MTN DEW and additional talent will be announced in the coming months.

"MTN DEW fans are culture drivers, so this partnership with Billboard is the perfect illustration of how fans can influence and interact with the music and artists they love," said Erin Chin, senior director, MTN DEW.

About Billboard Media Group
Billboard is the world's largest voice in music, built on the most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres. The Billboard charts define success in music. From the iconic Billboard magazine to Billboard.com, the ultimate consumer-facing destination for millions of passionate music fans, to the industry's most elite conference series and influencer events including the Power 100 and Women in Music – the Billboard brand has unmatched authority among fans, artists and the industry alike. Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Media Group is the #4 entertainment news and music publisher, reaching over 45 million people a month and garnering over 2 billion annual online views of video content. Its brands include Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Spin, Vibe, and Stereogum.

About MOUNTAIN DEW®
MOUNTAIN DEW®, a product of PepsiCo Beverages North America, is the No. 1 flavored carbonated beverage in the U.S. With its one-of-a-kind citrus taste, MOUNTAIN DEW exhilarates and quenches with every sip. In addition to the original MOUNTAIN DEW and DIET MOUNTAIN DEW®, the permanent DEW® product line includes MTN DEW ICE™, MTN DEW® KICKSTART™, MOUNTAIN DEW® CODE RED®, MOUNTAIN DEW PITCH BLACK®, MOUNTAIN DEW VOLTAGE®, MOUNTAIN DEW WHITE OUT® and MTN DEW® Label Series. For more information, check out http://www.mountaindew.com, http://www.facebook.com/mountaindew or follow on Twitter @mountaindew.

About Rico Nasty
Rico Nasty entered the rap game in 2014 with her first mixtape, SUMMER'S EVE. Since then she's secured a lane of her own, first with coining the term "Sugar Trap" which describes the perfect juxtaposition of her music + personality, then by establishing a cult following via her consistent delivery of really relatable music and electrifying live show performances!

Named among Forbes' annual "30 Under 30 2019: Music," Rico Nasty proved one of 2018's most celebrated artists. She earned a wide range of high profile media attention for "Nasty," including a cover appearance on The FADER's annual Summer Music issue and a slew of end of year accolades from Pitchfork to The Washington Post, who ranked the body of work amongst their top 10 favorites of the year.

Now with 2019 underway, Rico has no intention of slowing down. It was the FADER that claimed "the booming sentiments in her music feel almost revolutionary in a world where black women are often threatened with silence" and that is exactly why so many love Rico Nasty. Some would even argue that her latest release "Anger Management" is the epitome of what she truly stands for. She reassures you that it's ok to be yourself, to be free, to have fun + live life unapologetically. This along with her dynamic fashion sense, punk spirit, and ability to break boundaries time and time again, is what sets this 22-year-old rapper apart from the rest.

SOURCE Billboard