Heineken Taps Music Industry Icons to Select Heineken Independent Achiever Award Recipients

    WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Heineken announced today
 the recipients of the 2007 Heineken Independent Achiever Award, which will
 be presented during each Heineken Red Star Soul concert event. Heineken
 created Red Star Soul and the Independent Achiever Award to provide a
 platform to recognize and celebrate individual achievement in music both on
 the stage and behind the scenes. The award, established in 2006, honors
 individuals who demonstrate the hustle, integrity and drive to succeed
 while inspiring others along the way. Each recipient will be presented with
 the award at Heineken Red Star Soul concert events headlined by GRAMMY
 Award winners Alicia Keys, Common, Erykah Badu and Raphael Saadiq.
     Award recipients represent a host city of the Heineken Red Star Soul
 concert series. This year's recipients include:
     -- Antonio "AD the Voice" Delgado - Los Angeles-based Oxford-educated hip
        hop artist and Co-CEO of Statik Entertainment.
     -- DJ Jazzy Jeff - DJ and producer who achieved acclaim from his work with
        the Fresh Prince and has since become synonymous with the soulful
        sounds of South Philly through his work with Musiq Soul Child, Jill
        Scott and many others.
     -- Gerald Levert - the late legendary Cleveland-based R&B artist best
        known for his work with the trio LeVert as well as LSG, an R&B group
        comprising Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill and Levert.
     -- J. Carter - Founder of Atlanta's premier event promotion company, Sol
        Fusion.
     -- J. Dilla - the late Detroit producer served as an inspiration to a
        generation of artists and is considered by many the embodiment of
        modern music's soulful sound.
     -- No ID - Innovative Chicago producer who introduced Kanye West to the
        art of hip-hop production and who himself produced beats for Common and
        many others.
     -- Ralph McDaniels - New York-based founder of Video Music Box, the first
        TV program ever to feature hip-hop videos.
     -- W. Ellington Felton - a Modern day Renaissance man, Ellington has
        gained a cult-like following on the D.C. live music circuit.
     The award recipients were selected by a distinguished committee
 featuring three-time Grammy Award winning producer and songwriter, Bryan
 Michael Cox; Vice President of Writer Publisher Relations at BMI, Catherine
 Brewton; "industry insider" Kenny Burns; and recipients of the 2006
 Heineken Independent Achiever Awards - current musical sensation, Raheem
 DeVaughn; and founder of Atlanta's FunkJazzKafe, Jason Orr.
     "When we met to discuss the nominees for the Heineken Independent
 Achiever Award, we searched for individuals who have made a significant
 contribution to music, but who may not have received the public recognition
 and respect they deserve for their hustle, integrity and dedication," said
 Cox. "I'm proud to be associated with this program and pleased to be able
 to recognize guys like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ralph McDaniels and J. Dilla; true
 pioneers who have inspired generations."
     "Through the involvement of our selection committee, we hope to shine
 an even greater spotlight on the incredible accomplishments of this year's
 Heineken Independent Achievement Award recipients. We are honored that
 these five music luminaries believed in the vision of Heineken Red Star
 Soul and shared our passion for recognizing on-stage and behind the scenes
 talent that are have long inspired and rewarded music lovers around the
 world," said Andy Glaser, Heineken Brand Director.
     Heineken Red Star Soul
     Heineken Red Star Soul is a series of live musical concerts and events
 created by Heineken to celebrate and recognize emerging and established
 artists and individuals who have blazed independent paths to success in
 soul and R&B music. The 2007 Heineken Red Star Soul experience will feature
 performances by highly regarded artists Alicia Keys, Common, Erykah Badu
 and Raphael Saadiq.
     About Heineken's Support of Music
     Heineken Red Star Soul is a proprietary event demonstrating Heineken's
 continued commitment to bring consumers innovative and electrifying musical
 experiences. Heineken is deeply committed to bringing its consumers
 innovative music experiences. In addition to Heineken Red Star Soul,
 Heineken partnered with NARAS to roll out the "Green Carpet" at the
 GRAMMY(R) Awards. For years, Heineken has also been involved with Premiere
 Latin music events, artists and causes including the Billboard Latin Music
 Conference and Awards (7 years), the Latin GRAMMY Awards (7 years),
 Coachella and Street Scene.
     For more information about Heineken Red Star Soul concert dates,
 locations and performance lineups, as well as information about the
 Heineken Independent Achiever Award, selection committee members and each
 recipient, log on to www.heinekenredstarsoul.com.
     About Heineken USA Heineken USA Inc., the nation's premiere importer,
 is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, which is the world's most
 international brewer. Brands imported into the U.S. include: Heineken
 Lager, the world's most international beer brand; Heineken Premium Light,
 Amstel Light, the largest- selling imported light beer brand; and Buckler
 non-alcoholic brew. Heineken USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the
 Tecate, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from FEMSA Cerveza
 of Mexico. Please visit EnjoyHeinekenResponsibly.com.
 
 

SOURCE Heineken USA Inc.