The stars will be out in full force in Austin, Texas, when South by Southwest (SXSW) kicks off on March 13. The annual music industry gathering used to be a place for upstarts and inspiring artists to show their stuff to record execs and the like, but in recent years it has been a place where the biggest names in music (Jay-Z, Diddy, Kanye West) go to participate in the fun.

So with that in mind, BET’s Music Matters program is rolling out a star-studded line-up for its annual showcase at SXSW. Multi-platinum producer Timbaland has been tapped to host the 2012 event and he’ll be rolling out a roster of talent that includes today's hottest MCs and R&B acts.

Among the hip hop names set to hit the stage are Big Sean, MGK, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Stalley, and Don Trip. R&B will be well represented as well by Music Matters standouts Marsha Ambrosius and Miguel. This super line-up of fan favorites will be backed by the talented Jingle Punks Orchestra.

Before the showcase kicks off BET Networks will host an exclusive panel discussion on artist branding and why it is such an integral part in an artist's commerical success and longevity.

Taking the Throne: The Brand is the King will be moderated by BET's T.J. Holmes and will include panelist Kevin Liles (President & CEO KWL Management), Reggie Williams (SVP, Music Programming and Special for BET Networks), Tatiana Simonian (Twitter, Head of Music), Jana Fleishman (Roc Nation) and Kendrick Lamar (Top Dawg Entertainment and BET Music Matters Artist).

The panel discussion will be held at:

Austin Covention Center Room 16AB

500 East Cesar Chavez Street

Thursday, March 15 at 2:45PM

Stay tuned to BET.com/MusicMatters for more details.

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.

(Photo: MATT CROSSICK/PA Photos /Landov)