Kelly Griffin has taken BET’s music and programming to levels that have set trends which ultimately jump started and influenced the careers of many multi-platinum artists. Photo: supplied

Since 1999 Kelly G has taken BET’s music and programming to levels that have set trends which ultimately jump started and influenced the careers of many multi-platinum artists like Kanye West, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Drake, Trey Songz and countless others.

These are just some of the credentials that have led to Griffin being selected by the Follow The Movement (FTM) group as one of three judges for the Top 7@7 Who’s Next Finals scheduled for March 8, 2014.

Kelly G’s responsibilities once included choosing all the music videos on BET and now have expanded into areas such as developing a live events business (BET Live), a Music Library (The BET Collection), and a new music initiative (BET Music Matters).

He constantly monitors viewer response and industry trends to identify the next up and coming superstars to ensure that the network is always ahead of its competition and consistently on the pulse of its viewers. For many years he has given significant contributions to the music and production of the network’s franchise programmes including BET Awards, 106 & Park, BET’s Music Matters, BET Live, Rap City, Uncut and BET Access Granted. The response BET’s audience has had to Kelly G’s influence is clearly evidenced by the increased ratings the network’s music programming has enjoyed under his leadership. BET’s music programming is largely responsible for the network’s increased ratings in its key target market of 18 – 34 year olds by over 37% for over the past 10 seasons.

Kelly G has taken that influence even further in partnering with Live Nation to develop a live events business entitled BET Live. This franchise has launched many sold out events including The 106 & Park Tour, Music Matters Tour and Closer To My Dreams Tour.

In addition to helping program the number one rated Music video show on all of television, BET: 106 & Park Top Ten Live, Kelly has also created a BET Music Library. He has leveraged his relationships with many multi-platinum producers to develop a first in class music library with emphasis on R&B, Gospel and Jazz. This exclusive music can be heard across all BET programming including The Game, Reed Between The Lines in addition to third party networks like HBO and The NFL Network. Using his gift to indentify up and coming superstars, Kelly helped develop a ground breaking new music platform called Music Matters. The program leveraged BET’s massive on air and digital platforms (including The BET Awards) to impact record and concert ticket sales and play a critical role in launching the careers of artists like Marsha Ambrosius, Miguel and Jay-Z protégé J. Cole.

Prior to joining BET, Kelly G worked for Chicago’s Number One rated hip-hop and R&B station, WGCI. While at WGCI, Kelly G learned the ways of playing the hits from legendary program director, Elroy Smith. Shortly after joining the radio station, he began doing production for many of the shows including Steve Harvey’s Morning Show, George Wallace Show, Tom Joyner and Doug Banks. He eventually landed his own trend setting four-hour mix show called Da Bomb; a show that ultimately maintained a number one rated position for 5 years.

Under Smith’s tutelage, Kelly G learned the business of radio and programming. Kelly G took those lessons along with his Dee Jaying skills to do house remixes for major artists including India.Arie, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson, Brandy, Faith Evans, Tina Moore and countless others. In addition to his work remixing the songs of today’s top artists, Kelly G can be seen producing and scoring tracks for movies like Phunny Business and Dee Jaying special events the world over. Although his heart is playing soulful Chicago House Music, Kelly G is well experienced in rocking any Pop, Hip-Hop and R&B event. Some of his DJ appearances include opening concerts for artists, Aretha Franklin and LL Cool J and doing parties for top celebrities like Kanye West, Diddy, and Jimmy Iovine.

With less than one month remaining to the annual show on March 8, patrons can uplift tickets at Delta Gas Station and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).

The UP’s Cineplex Ballroom is expected to be lit up by performances from competitors, Sasha Wintz, Calden James, Marvin Bramble, Kassandra K. Malone, Rochel Lewis, Epik & Neeks and Kamyce Penn and showtime is 7:30PM