Buma Rotterdam Beats Expands Internationally

New Yor, NY (Top40 Charts/ Buma Rotterdam Beats) The second edition of Buma Rotterdam Beats, successfully launched in 2010, takes place from the 17th-19th November this year. Featuring an array of prominent speakers and musical talent from home and abroad, this international conference and showcase festival celebrates urban music worldwide with an inspirational and comprehensive program that includes live performances, panel discussions, workshops, Q&A's, an award show, and several parties. The event's primary focus is on creating a strong international network within the urban music scene.

The first confirmed names underline Buma Rotterdam Beats' global ambitions. Keynote speaker on both conference days is Sha Money XL, the vice-president of renowned American hip-hop label Island Def Jam, whose roster includes artists such as Rick Ross, Kanye West, Nas and Rihanna. As the main business partner of hip hop mogul 50 Cent, Sha Money XL helped 'Fiddy' to reach superstar status, and, during his tenure as president of G-Unit Records, he advised him on how to grow and expand his musical empire.

Highly successful Dutch DJ Chuckie will talk about his rise to international success, and the currently enormous influence of Dutch dance music on contemporary black music in the US. Chuckie travels the globe as a DJ, has an artist contract in the US and works regularly with big names like Diddy, T-Pain and Enrique Iglesias.

The emerging Rotterdam based producer Munchi is a key figure in moombahton, a new and increasingly influential club genre based on a mix of slowed down Dutch house music and reggaeton. The new genre is growing in global popularity and Munchi, who at the tender age of 21 has worked with artists such as Diplo, M.I.A. and Dave Nada, will be talking about his career trajectory and international experiences.

Other leading names confirmed are British father and son managers Keith and Hamish Harris, who have worked for Stevie Wonder, as well as Jamie Swoon and several other Motown artists. Kees de Koning, founder of Holland's leading hip hop label Top Notch - active in South Africa and Suriname as well as Europe - will be present alongside Jiggy Dje and Blaxtar of well known Dutch independents Noah's Ark & RAEN Music. Further speakers and performers include rapper Sticks - formerly from influential Dutch hip hop group Opgezwolle - internationally renowned DJ collective Boemklatsch, reggae promoter DJ Waxfriend and Amsterdam club programmer Kees Heus (Paradiso).

"With this inspiring second edition, Buma Rotterdam Beats takes another step towards becoming the international platform that we intend it to be," said festival director Roger Brouwn. "I look forward to the numerous speakers, seminars and of course the beautiful showcases at night."

Buma Rotterdam Beats combines daytime conferences with a showcase festival, a platform for new talent and the annual presentation of the State Awards, presented by BNN and Buma. Started and organized by Buma, also the founder of the Amsterdam Dance Event, Eurosonic Noorderslag Conference, Buma NL, Toonzetters and the Jazz Day, the intention is to build Buma Rotterdam Beats into an international conference where know-how is shared, business deals are done and the best new talent is presented to an international audience.

Buma Rotterdam Beats takes place on 17, 18 & 19 November in Rotterdam and is organized by The Buma Rotterdam Beats Foundation, an initiative of Buma and De Nieuwe Oogst.

This festival is part of the Rotterdam Festivals agenda. For the complete overview visit www.rotterdamfestivals.nl

For more information on the event, including the successful previous edition: www.buma-rotterdam-beats.nl