Before heading to Austin for a star-studded throwdown at South by Southwest, the BET Music Matters program will host its monthly showcase in NYC. Tonight’s event will go down as usual at the city’s popular hotspot Santos Party House and will feature a host of up-and-coming talent including Cocoa Sarai, Rashad, Rugz D Bewler and Rob Murat.

Former Bad Boy Records singer/songwriter Cheri Dennis will jump back into the spotlight as the showcase’s headlining act. Dennis was a essential member of the Bad Boy family during the late '90s. As a songwriter she penned songs for Faith Evans, Danity Kane and Olivia among others. The Cleveland, OH native broke through as a solo act in 2006 with her hit single “I Love You,” the Ryan Leslie-produced track reached No. 38 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop charts.

Doors open at 8 p.m. for tonight’s show. The first act will hit the stage at 8:30 p.m., so get there on time.   

For more on the hottest new artists that are doing big things with their music, log onto BET.com/musicmatters and follow us on Twitter @BETMusicMatters.

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(Photo: Candice Lawler)