Rapper Joell Ortiz will be on hand at tonight's (June 14) BET Music Matters showcase, taking place at DROM in New York City. The rapper will be performing alongside a number of hip hop acts to support the Music Matters brand, a BET initiative that highlights new artists whose musical crafts are of the highest priority.

The Slaughterhouse MC will join a list of performers that includes None, Mateo, Allen Stone, Phil Ade and a special performance by DJ Premier. Hip hop fans, however, will be paying close attention to Ortiz's performance, which will be his first public appearance since Terror Squad members Cuban Link and Tony Sunshine spoke out against his "Big Pun Back" record.

Over the weekend, Joell joined Angie Martinez and others at the Puerto Rican Day parade. Keeping busy, Ortiz's Music Matter appearance comes just a few days before he heads overseas to Norway for three days of what he refers to as the "Yaowa" tour.

(Photo:  Walik Goshorn/Retna Ltd)