Kendrick Lamar to Headline BET Music Matters Tour

The newly crowned prince of West Coast hip hop will host a 23-city run featuring emerging stars.

Need proof that music matters? That it can make you move, laugh, cry or think? Look no further than Compton up-and-comer Kendrick Lamar. In the wake of his acclaimed 2011 album Section.80, the 23-year-old rhyme virtuoso has ridden a tidal wave of Web-fueled fanfare to a deal with Dr. Dre's Aftermath. He's currently prepping his debut album, Good Kid., m.A.A.d. City, for an October release, and hip hop can't wait. So it's only right that K. Dot will be hosting the BET Music Matters Tour later this year.

The tour, which in past years has featured upstart stars like Marsha Ambrosius, Estelle and Melanie Fiona, will take Kendrick and a yet-to-be-announced lineup of emerging talents through 30 cities this fall. With BET airing TV spots, sending alerts and emails to the BET Live and 106 & Park audiences, and Kendrick at the top of the bill, expect packed venues — and night after night of amazing music. Check the tour dates below and stay tuned to BET.com for more details as they emerge.