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Tennessee Hip-Hop artists will be the center of attention this weekend as rapper Young Buck co-hosts the first annual Tennessee Music Conference and Hip-Hop Awards.

The music networking event, which kicks off Saturday (September 6) and runs through Sunday (September 7), is designed to “honor and pay homage to the people who have helped to develop the Tennessee Hip-Hop market to what it is, and work as a state to help to continue to build the market,” according to a statement from the event’s website site.

“This event will help to establish a foundation in which the Tennessee music community can use to help grow and develop their careers in music,” the statement read.

Young Buck, along with DJ Freddy Hydro will host the conference and awards ceremony.

The conference will start at 8 a.m. Saturday at Millennium Maxwell Hotel and Resort in Nashville.

Activities planned include showcases, an A& R Power Panel that will reveal how to get signed to a major label, a media and promotions panel set up to discuss the importance of self promotion and building relationships with media outlets, an artist panel that looks at how to make money independently in the music and entertainment industry and a DJ panel which reveals what DJ’s for in a hit record.

The A&R panel will feature various music industry professionals, including “Corporate” Cory Sparks (Interscope/ KOCH A&R), Freddy Hydro (Hitz Committee/ Jive), Alvin Williams, C. Wakeley and others.

Those comprising the Media and Promotions panel include Bryan Deese (Owner/Creator Concrete Magazine), Leon Bailey “L.B.” (wordofsouth.com), Janiro Hawkins (VP of Southern Entertainment Awards), P. Brown (Streettalk Newspaper & Promotions), Julia Beverly (Ozone) and others.

Haystak, La Chat, Playa Fly, All-Star, JC (Block Ent R&B), Mr. Serv On., Young D of Hypnotized Minds, Granddaddy Souf, Trai’ D and Mr. Mack will appear on the artist panel.

DJ Freddy Hydro will be among those on the DJ panel, in addition to DJ Squeeky, DJ Infamous, Dutty Laundry, DJ C-Wiz, DJ Bryant D and DJ Trap.

The conference will conclude with an after party featuring Young Buck and fellow rapper The Game.

The event, which begins at 9 p.m., will also include an appearance Scarface, who will also perform live.

The Tennessee Hip-Hop awards will take place on Sunday at the Gaylord Convention Center in Nashville.

Veteran rap duo Eightball and MJG, Three 6 Mafia, DJ C-Wiz and DJ Squeeky will receive Special Pioneer Legend Awards during the ceremony.

Confirmed performers for the event include Young Buck as well as All-Star, Cowboy, Grafitti Boyz, Grandaddy Souf, Kinfolk Thugz, Paper, Trai’D and Young D.

For details on the Tennessee Music Conference and Hip-Hop Awards, visit http://www.tmchiphopawards.com.