August 23, 2007

By By Andre Paine, London

American R&B star Amerie has linked up with Hugo Fragrances for the second year of the company's Hugo Urban Rules campaign.

From September, the Sony BMG artist will serve as ambassador for the campaign, which aims to unearth new British urban music talent.

Amerie will work alongside a team of urban music professionals, including Mervyn Lyn, RCA Label Group (U.K.) VP of A&R and business development.

Previous panel members include Amy Winehouse, Jamelia, Galaxy FM DJ Steve Sutherland and production duo the Ignorants.

Amerie will deliver a Q&A as part of a "masterclass" program of events in London, which will take place in December at the Vinyl Factory in London's Soho. The sessions will include vocal training and lessons in stagecraft.

Amerie and the panellists will choose one band or solo artist from those classes. The winner will have a single released nationwide by Hugo Urban Rules, and will join Amerie on stage at a one-off gig.

Participants are selected from tracks uploaded to the Hugo Urban Rules Web site, or mailed to the address published on the site.

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