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KimberlyNichole - "Music matters to me because it has played such an important role in my life," says Music Matters artist KimberlyNichole, who will be performing at the 2011 BET Awards. "Different songs represent different moments on my life's journey—moments of happiness, pain, change, struggle, evolution, etc. Music is who I am...and through it my hope is to touch, inspire and move people all over the world."  Photo: Sondra B / BET Digital

Photo By Photo: Sondra B / BET Digital

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Miguel - "Music is the entire spectrum of colors," says Miguel, a Music Matters alum who is nominated for Best New Artist at the 2011 BET Awards. "Music is language, music encompasses every emotion. Music is the great communicator, it is the great bridge. Not only does music have the power to change us as individuals, but it has the power to change our entire perspective as a society—[if] used properly." Photo: Amanda Edwards/PictureGroup

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Marsha Ambrosius - When "The Songstress" embarked on her solo mission in 2010, Music Matters was there to shine a spotlight on her incredible talents. Now the UK-bred star has been nominated for three awards at the 2011 BET Awards, including Best Female R&B Artist, Centric Award, and Video of the Year. Not too shabby. Photos by Adrian Sidney/PictureGroup

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Mali Music - The Georgia-bred singer is turning heads with his Christian-based soul music. Mali is the second Music Matters artist to be confirmed as a performer at the 2011 BET Awards. Photo: Adam Tillman-Young  

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K. Michelle - "Music matters to me because it is the only way I can truly express myself with strong meaning to the world," says Memphis-born K. Michelle. "Nowadays, there seems to be a lot of gimmicky type of music being saturated. If we as artists don't start to embrace and reinforce classic and timeless music, we will be left doing the 'stanky leg' for the rest of our lives. As artist, we must all step it up creatively, including myself."Photo: Amanda Edwards/PictureGroup

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 Jessie J - "Music is everything to me," says the British singer Jessie J, whose single "Pricetags" featuring B.o.B. has been bubbling on the charts. "It can save you, it can make a room full of strangers become friends. Music just gets me, and I love that I can give it as a gift to the world"Photo: Dave Hogan/Getty Images

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Dondria - The So So Def songstress has had a big Internet following ever since her start as a YouTube sensation. This year the Music Matters artist is doubling as an oifficial Twitter correspondent at the 2011 BET Awards. Check out her behind-the-scenes reports by following @Dondria and searching for the hashtag #BETAwardsVIP. Photo: Vince Bucci/PictureGroup

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J. Cole - Before the world tours with artists like Rihanna, Drake and Jay-Z, J. Cole was ripping stages as a Music Matters artist. Looks like all that hard work paid off: Cole's nominated in the Best New Artist category at the 2011 BET Awards. Photo: Taylor Hill/Getty Images

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Skyzoo - "Music matters because it speaks to everyone," says Music Matters artist Skyzoo. "It's literally the universal language. Music is the one element that transcends all, and for me personally, it's been my choice of expression when nothing else would do. Without the music, I'm not sure where or who I'd be right now." Photo: By Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Jordan Brand Classic

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Melanie Fiona - The Canadian-Caribbean songstress has gone on from the Music Matters spotlight to critical acclaim thanks to her potent vocals and Grammy-nominated hits. Her latest single, "Gone and Never Coming Back," hints at the power of her sophomore album, The MF Life, due to be released this summer. Photo: By Kodak Jones/PictureGroup

Photo By Photo: Kodak Jones/PictureGroup

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Kid Daytona - "Music is in everything I do, everything I breathe," says Music Matters artist Kid Daytona. "It affects culture, and defines generations. I can meet someone for the first time and start a whole hour-long conversation about the first time I heard Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, or a debate about the Top 5 greatest rappers dead or alive. And in the same conversation, [I can] talk about how Kurt Cobain, Bob Marley and Jim Morrison were such geniuses ahead of their time. Bottom line is, music is the glue to our society." Photo: www.myspace.com