NEW YORK, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1 is celebrating Black History Month by creating extensive Black History Month campaigns that will air throughout the month of February on each of its television networks: VH1, VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and MHD. The new promotional campaigns will feature partnerships with Ebony and Jet magazines, new spots with artists such as Common and Corey Glover of Living Colour and premieres of new original programming that celebrates the African American impact on music and pop culture.

VH1

"Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash" premieres on Saturday, February 2 at 9 p.m.

VH1, Pepsi and the NFL have joined forces once again to bring the worlds of football and music together with "The VH1 Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash." Taking place in the host city of Glendale, Arizona, the concert will pay tribute to the All-American sport of football and its 42nd Super Bowl with performances by Mary J Blige, Maroon 5 and special guest Ne-Yo among other special guest appearances. Hosted by Jerry O'Connell, "The VH1 Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash" will also feature appearances by numerous NFL superstar players. "The VH1 Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash" will be simulcast on VH1 Soul and MHD.

"Rags to Riches: Akon" premieres on Monday, February 4 at 10 p.m.

VH1's documentary series, "Rags To Riches," takes a riveting look at the journey inside the American Dream and reminds us that success means little if you can't share it with those less fortunate. Internationally acclaimed superstar Akon has proven himself as both a brilliant storyteller and gifted musician. From running his own music label Konvict Music to topping the music charts with hits that include "Trouble," "I Wanna Love You," "Locked up" and "Smack that," this Senegalese born soul singer is living proof that hard work and determination does pay off. Join Akon, as he takes viewers through the streets of Newark, New Jersey for the first time to expose his troublesome past and to provide a glimpse of where it all started. "Rags to Riches: Nick Cannon" premieres Monday, February 4 at 10:30 p.m. Nick reveals a touching and personal account of early struggles and humble beginnings. Follow Nick as he takes viewers on an exclusive tour through the streets of South East San Diego, where he grew up and introduces them to the people who helped him realize his stardom. "Rags to Riches: Macy Gray" premieres Wednesday, February 27 at 11:00 p.m.

"VH1 Storytellers: Mary J. Blige" premieres on Monday, February 25 at 8 p.m.

Grammy nominated artist, Mary J. Blige treated fans to an intimate performance while taping an upcoming episode of VH1 Storytellers at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. The hour-long show will feature Blige performing songs from her critically-acclaimed and Grammy nominated album Growing Painsin addition to past hits. Following in the "Storytellers" format, viewers will get a unique opportunity to hear the inspiration and stories behind each song.

"VH1 Storytellers: Mary J. Blige" will be simulcast on VH1 Soul and MHD.

VH1 Promo Campaign: In the "Black Is ... " promo campaign, various African American luminaries, including Common, discuss the word "black" and its many meanings both personally and culturally. The promos will run as :20, :30 and :40 second pieces throughout February on VH1.

VH1 SOUL

"Soul Story: Mary J. Blige" premieres on Monday, February 11 at 9 p.m.

"Soul Story" is a one-hour show featuring the body of work of a core VH1 Soul artist. Beginning with their first video and continuing to their most recent work, "Soul Story" uses the artist's own words to offer insight into their personal journey. Driven by the artist's personal anecdotes, stories and memories "Soul Story" incorporates clips of their videos to bring a new perspective to the artist's career. Prominent videos from their catalogue serve as a backdrop as the artist opens up and discusses both their career and personal journey.

"Lenny Kravitz: Love Revolution" premieres on Thursday, February 14 "Valentines Day" at 9 p.m.

Sit back, relax and let VH1 Soul set the mood! This sexy, soulful show airs all the love songs and ballads from R&B artists. Lenny will be hosting this video block, talking about his favorites and promoting his new album "It's Time For A Love Revolution."

"Say It Loud!" premieres on Monday, February 18 - Friday, February 22 at 9 p.m.

"Say It Loud!" is a 5-part documentary that traces the evolution of black music and how it influenced and shaped aspects of America's social and political history. Each episode will delve into a different genre of music, including gospel, jazz and rock and roll and will feature artists of that genre including Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Al Green. A new episode will premiere each night throughout the week.

"SoulStage: Erykah Badu" premieres on Tuesday, February 26 at 9 p.m.

"SoulStage" gives viewers an inside look into the heart and soul of some of their favorite artists through their new music and past hits. VH1 Soul artists will share the inspirations and stories behind each soulful song and give an exclusive live performance to their most dedicated fans.

VH1 Soul Promo Campaign: VH1 Soul has teamed with Ebony and Jet Magazines on the "Soul Influencers" campaign, which explores the artistic, emotional and soulful connection between contemporary legends and today's emerging icons. Mining the extensive Ebony/Jet Showcase (1983-91) interview archive, VH1 Soul will curate intimate moments in which beloved legends such as Stevie Wonder, George Clinton and Tina Turner offer advice and anecdotes drenched in love and honesty. The promos will air throughout February on VH1 Soul.

VH1 CLASSIC

"Classic 60 MINUTES" premieres on Sunday, February 3 and February 10 at 8 p.m.

Throughout the month of February, VH1 Classic will premiere two all-new episodes of their newest series, "Classic 60 MINUTES." Premiering on Sunday, February 3 at 8:00 PM "Classic 60 MINUTES" features the great Tina Turner. The interview will delve into her relationship with her ex-husband, the late Ike Turner and her life after her divorce. Turner also discusses her life in NiceFrance and about performing in front of a live audience. Then on Sunday, February 10, "Classic 60 MINUTES" focuses on the legendary Ray Charles. During the hour-long interview, Charles discusses creating all types of music and about being a perfectionist. Charles also discusses attending a school for the deaf and blind that was segregated and how thankful he was for the many honors he received during his lifetime, including his hit song "Georgia on my Mind" being chosen for the state song of Georgia.

"Classic in Concert: James Brown: Live from the House of Blues" airs on Friday, February 15 at 9 p.m.

This installment of VH1 Classic's original series, "Classic in Concert" features a live performance of one of music's legends, James Brown. Backed up by his famous revue, Brown entertains the audience at the House of Blues in Las Vegas where the "Godfather of Soul" performs many of his greatest hits including "Try Me," "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," "I Feel Good," "Soul Man," and "It's a Man's World."

"Marvin Gaye: The Real Thing in Performance" premieres on Monday, February 25 at 8 p.m.

This one-hour special features exclusive interviews and archival footage from some of Marvin Gaye's biggest television performances including "The Dinah Shore Show," "American Bandstand" and "Hollywood A Go-Go." It also features the long-lost live concert footage from the documentary film "Save The Children" featuring Gaye with several Funk Brothers including James Jamerson, as well as recently uncovered footage from Gaye's 1918 concert in Belgium.

VH1 Classic Promo Campaign: The "Black History Month on Classic" campaign reveals a series of spots featuring Corey Glover, lead singer of pioneering hard rock act Living Colour. The promos will air throughout February on VH1 Classic.

MHD

"Life & Rhymes Marathon" airs on Monday, February 4 at 8 p.m.

"The Life & Rhymes of..."is an intimate and revolutionary new breed of hip-hop biography that takes viewers deep inside the minds of today's hottest MCs. In tone, format, and content, the show will give vivid expression to the energy, authenticity, and electrifying attitude of hip-hop culture, and at the same time, expand the depth of the culture by exploring the creative process behind writing breakthrough rap lyrics. Artists include Kanye West, LL Cool J, Snoop, 50 Cent, and Ludacris. "Life and Rhymes Marathon" will be simulcast on VH1 and VH1 Soul.

"Storytellers: Jay-Z: Life of an American Gangster" (Special Encore) airs on Monday, February 11 at 8 p.m.

This intimate concert special features songs and stories from the album American Gangster. Inspired by the film of the same name, Jay Z takes the audience on a journey of his own experiences through music, imagery and personal stories. Followed by an encore of the Jay Z's 2004 documentary "Fade To Black" at 9:00 p.m.

"VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2007" (Special Encore) airs on Monday, February 18 at 8 p.m.

VH1 will once again honor the hip hop pioneers and legends that have made significant contributions to music and pop culture with the fourth annual "VH1 Hip Hop Honors." Hosted by Tracy Morgan, this year's honorees include A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, WHODINI, the film Wild Style, and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell for New Jack Swing.

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 90 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1 Games and extensive broadband video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.

Launched in 1997, VH1 Soul is the 24-hour network that brings music lovers the hottest, soul, neo-soul an R&B hits from the 90s and today featuring core artists such as Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, OutKast, Mary J. Blige and Usher. VH1 Soul, the premier source for all R&B and soul music, is now seen in the Top 20 U.S. markets for African-Americans and is available in over 20 million U.S. households.

Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that present videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60's, 70's and 80's, including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police and many more. Learn more at http://www.vh1classic.com.

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SOURCE VH1
02/01/2008 12:58