MTV ANNOUNCES 2016 CLASS OF ARTISTS TAKING AUSTIN BY STORM AT "MTV WOODIES/10 FOR 16" MUSIC FESTIVAL

Rising Stars Include Travis Scott, The Chainsmokers, CHVRCHES, Jack Garratt, Kehlani, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Jidenna, BØRNS, A$AP Ferg and Lukas Graham

Performances Airing Live From Austin on Wednesday, March 16 at 9:00 P.M. ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY (March 7, 2016) - MTV today announced the hand-picked 2016 class of artists set to take the stage at "MTV Woodies/10 for 16," MTV's annual emerging artists showcase held at the annual South by Southwest Music Festival. Airing Wednesday, March 16, 2016 LIVE from Austin, Texas at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, "MTV Woodies/10 for 16," will spotlight an eclectic roster of artists including Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, A$AP Ferg, BØRNS, The Chainsmokers, CHVRCHES, Jack Garratt, Jidenna, Kehlani, Lukas Graham and Travis Scott. In the spirit of music discovery that drives SXSW, "MTV Woodies/10 for 16" has a newly reimagined format this year with more music, less awards, and a focus on these select emerging artists, their fans, and the established artists who support them. The "Woodies" will be hosted by Harlem rapper and cultural tastemaker, A$AP Rocky. To listen to music from the "10 for 16" artists, click here.

"I did my first big performance at the 'Woodies' and I'm excited to come back this year. Get ready for the ride of your life!" - Travis Scott

"To us, the 'Woodies' represent a pinnacle in artistic recognition in music - it is truly an honor that this year we will not only be attending but also playing at this dope ass show." - The Chainsmokers

"This year, the 'Woodies' will be classic." - Jidenna

Fans are encouraged to join the conversation around their favorite emerging artists as part of an MTV Woodies' and REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups fan engagement campaign, from March 9 - March 16. During the campaign, fans will be asked to cosign their favorite rising stars of 2016 using the custom hashtag #woodiescosign on Twitter to help build a 'Perfect Combination' inspired Woodies playlist that will live on Reeses.mtv.com. The top mentioned fan cosign will be revealed on-air during the "MTV Woodies/10 for 16." Additionally, MTV and Reese's have teamed up with YouTube Star Rebecca Black, who will rally her 5MM+ fans across her social footprint to join in the Reese's and Woodies conversation, and co-sign their favorite acts of the year.

In addition to the one-hour live broadcast on MTV, the four-hour "MTV Woodies/10 for 16" festival will air live in its entirety on the newly launched network MTV Live at 4:00 p.m. CST and livestream on woodies.mtv.com.

MEET THE "MTV WOODIES/10 FOR 16" ARTISTS:

Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals

Anderson .Paak released his debut album Venice in September of 2014. Paak performed six songs on Dr. Dre's album Compton and two on The Game's The Documentary 2. Paak released his second album, Malibu this past January and recently signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment.

A$AP Ferg

A$AP Ferg hails from a block in Harlem notoriously known as "Hungry Ham (Hamilton Heights)," but it doesn't define him. He is the next member of the A$AP Mob collective to have a solo project, after his A$AP Worldwide released mixtape Trap Lord. From clothing and jewelry lines to attending art school - he constantly defies expectations.

BØRNS

After growing up in Michigan, BØRNS moved to Los Angeles where he wrote both his debut Candy EP and critically acclaimed album Dopamine. His current single "Electric Love" has over 48 million steams on Spotify to date. BØRNS kicked off 2016 with an Australian and European tour supporting Halsey and is confirmed for festivals including Coachella, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, Hangout Fest and a U.S. headline tour this summer.

CHVRCHES

CHVRCHES' sophomore album Every Open Eye was released in the fall of last year to critical acclaim. The album debuted on the charts as the #1 Alternative Album, #8 overall album on the Billboard 200, #7 Current Album, and the #1 Rock Album. The band will kick off their North American Spring tour after SXSW, playing fan favorites like "Clearest Blue" and "Leave A Trace" from the newest album as well as ones from their breakthrough debut The Bones of What You Believe.

Jack Garratt

Young British newcomer Jack Garratt released his debut album Phase on Interscope Records this past February and made his television debut with "Worry" on Conan. Garratt's music has been championed by the likes of Zane Lowe, the BBC's Annie Mac, The Fader, Complex and Interview Magazine. Garratt was the winner of the 2016 BRIT Critics' Choice Award.

Jidenna

Jidenna's #1 hit single "Classic Man" (featuring Roman GianArthur) paved the way for the first official Wondaland Records compilation EP, Wondaland Presents: THE EEPHUS, released under the revolutionary joint venture between Janelle Mon�e's Wondaland Records and Epic Records. The music video and "Classic Man" remix video featuring hip-hop titan Kendrick Lamar clocked in at over 70 million YouTube/VEVO views combined. Jidenna performed on the "American Idol" season finale, "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," and the "2015 BET Awards."

Kehlani

Oakland-born R&B singer and songwriter Kehlani released You Should Be Here in 2015 which earned her first GRAMMY(R) nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album. You Should Be Here saw success on the charts, in addition to being the top R&B debut of the week, it reached #1 on iTunes' R&B/Soul chart.

Lukas Graham

Breakout artist Lukas Graham combines soul, pop, and alternative and is topping charts all over the world with debut single "7 Years," which has been streamed over 180M times globally and is #12 at the Billboard Hot 100 and climbing. Hailing from Denmark, Lukas Graham will release their self-titled debut album on April 1st, before embarking on a rapidly selling out U.S. headline tour.

The Chainsmokers

The Chainsmokers have become the hottest young American DJ/producer duo and their latest single "Don't Let Me Down" feat. Daya has notched their third top 10 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, drawing 2.6 million U.S. streams in its first week and yielding their biggest first week sales of a new track to date.

Travis Scott

Houston-born rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Travis Scott is not only known for his musical prowess but also his rambunctious live performance experiences. Signed by two of the world's most influential superstars (Kanye West & T.I.), his critically acclaimed debut album Rodeo, received rave reviews from critics and debuted at number 3 on the US Billboard 200. It also debuted at number 1 on Billboard's Top Rap Albums chart.

Official sponsors of the "MTV Woodies/10 for16" include Cricket Wireless, Doritos(R), Pepsi(R), REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups, Taco Bell(R), University of Phoenix(R) and U.S. Army.

Garrett English and Jac Benson are the Executive Producers of the "MTV Woodies/10 for 16." Sandy Alouete is the Executive in Charge of Music & Talent for MTV and Lisa Lauricella serves as the Music Talent Executive for MTV.

About MTV:

MTV is a global media brand inspired by the freedom and passion of youth. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA).