MTV2 Celebrates Hip-Hop History Month Throughout November with Special Sucker Free Programming and First Inaugural Sucker Free Awards

Featuring Special Performance by YMCMB Sunday, December 4th at 11pm ET/PT on MTV2

Starting Today Fans to Vote on "Must Follow Artist in Social Media,"

"Rookie of the Year," and "The Best Crew of 2011"

To vote for the Sucker Free Awards, click here.

NEW YORK, NY (November 1, 2011) - MTV2 and its longest running franchise and #1 weekly hip-hop show, Sucker Free Countdown, is putting its mark on Hip-Hop History Month with a month-long celebration, including special Sucker Free Countdown and Sucker Free Daily episodes, the second installment of Sucker Free Road to Release chronicling the journey of Maybach Music Group artist Wale, and culminating with the first-ever Sucker Free Awards.

Premiering on Sunday, December 4th at 11pm ET/PT on MTV2, the Sucker Free Awards will honor the year in hip-hop with a unique look back at the music, headline making moments and personalities that made 2011 so memorable. A total of seven categories will be voted on through a combination of fan voting online and via social media, as well as voting by tastemakers throughout the music and entertainment industry. To vote via Twitter, fans must use #SuckerFreeAwards hash-tag, list the category and their vote (e.g. "#suckerfreeawards #Bestcrew YMCMB").

Hosted by MTV's Sway Calloway, the show will feature an electric special performance from YMCMB from LIV Fontainebleau Miami Beach, as well as packages and acceptance speeches from the award-shows big winners. DJ Envy will also be on hand throughout the night to give fans the VIP treatment from the heart of the action.

Throughout the month of November, Sucker Free Countdown (Sundays, 11pm ET/PT on MTV2) will feature weekly Hip-Hop History Month segments that will highlight the historical accomplishment of hip-hop icons, including delving into the MTV archives for some of the most memorable moments from Yo! MTV Raps. In addition, Sucker Free Daily will air special segments Monday through Thursday that celebrate "Classic Producers," "Ladies First: Female Hip-Hop Legends: Lauryn Hill, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Lady of Rage" "Best of the West: NWA, Ice Cube, Snoop, E-40 and Too Short," "Tear the Club Up: Best Party Videos" and "Classic Years: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000."

Hip Hop History Month kicked off with the second installment of Sucker Free Road to Release featuring a multi-screen takeover by Wale. Throughout the week fans were granted access to exclusive behind-the-scenes content as he entered the final stretch prior to the release of his second studio effort, Ambition.

The nominees for the 2011 Sucker Free Awards include:

FAN VOTED SUCKER FREE AWARDS CATEGORIES AND NOMINEES:

Must Follow Artist in Social Media - To vote via Twitter, use #suckerfreeawards and #twitterking
· Tyler, The Creator
· 50 Cent
· Fabolous
· Chris Brown
· Lil Duval

Rookie of the Year (Best Debut Album) - To vote via Twitter, use #suckerfreeawards and #RookieoftheYear
· Tyler, The Creator
· Big Sean
· J. Cole
· Wiz Khalifa

The Best Crew of 2011 - To vote via Twitter, use #suckerfreeawards and #bestcrew
· Maybach Music Group
· Odd Future
· YMCMB
· Slaughterhouse/Shady 2.0
· GOOD Music
· Roc Nation
· Taylor Gang

TASTEMAKER VOTED SUCKER FREE AWARDS CATEGORIES AND NOMINEES:

Artist of the Year
· Jay-Z & Kanye West
· Lil Wayne
· Rick Ross
· Nicki Minaj
· Chris Brown

Certified Classic, Best Album of the Year
· Kanye West and Jay-Z - Watch the Throne
· Lil Wayne - Tha Carter IV
· Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
· MMG - Self Made, Vol. 1
· Big Sean - Finally Famous

Club Banger, Song of the Year
· I'm On One -DJ Khaled featuring Drake, Rick Ross & Lil' Wayne
· Ima Boss-Meek Mill
· Kanye West and Jay-Z
· Headlines-Drake
· Racks-Y.C. featuring Future

Who's Got Next (Best Artist without an album)
· Meek Mill
· Kendrick Lamar
· Mac Miller
· Big K.R.I.T.
· ASAP Rocky

Sucker Free has been a staple of MTV2's programming since 2002. In the past year, the series has continued to dominate on Sundays with over 300,000 total weekly viewers and 200,000+ viewers 12-34; nearly +15% above MTV2's total day average. Sucker Free Countdown airs each Sunday at 11am and 11pm.

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer for the 2011 Sucker Free Awards. Eric Conte serves as Executive Producer for MTV2. Amy Doyle and Elena Diaz serve as the Executives In Charge of Music and Talent.

For more information, visit suckerfreeawards.mtv2.com.

About MTV2:

Available in approximately 80 million homes MTV2 is man's best friend. Since its launch in 1996, the network has reflected the subversive interests and behaviors of young men with a compelling and diverse programming line-up inspired by ordinary guys who do extraordinary things. MTV2, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.