MONTREAL and SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitlab, Inc. has entered into a partnership with The Recording Academy^® — internationally known for The GRAMMY Awards^® — to give unsigned, up-and-coming artists or bands the chance to perform at the 4th Annual Social Media Rock Stars Summit (SMRSS), an official GRAMMY^® Week event.

The Emerging Artist Competition was launched on Nov. 26, 2012, and after original music was submitted to the contest Web page (www.hitlab.com), Hitlab is pleased to announce the following 10 finalists: Ashley Martinez (Bradford, ON, Canada), Beaux Saunders (London, United Kingdom), Jade Novah (Atlanta, GA), James David (Los Angeles, CA), John Thomas (Stratford, CT), Melissa Fuller (Nashville, TN), Miss Mary (Bucharest, Romania), Pamela Lajoie (Sainte Sophie, QC, Canada), Sarah Solovay (New York, NY), and Savera and The Tapes (Los Angeles, CA).

Fans can vote for their favorite artist at http://contests.hitlab.com/. Prize winners, selected using a combination of online voting and a Blue Ribbon Panel, will be announced on Feb. 4, 2013. The winners will be flown to Los Angeles to perform at the Social Media Rock Stars Summit reception, and the performance will be streamed live on GRAMMY.com as part of The Academy's three-day GRAMMY Live (www.grammy.com/live) coverage. The winners will also attend the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards and official GRAMMY Celebration after-party on Sunday, Feb. 10.

Fans will be able to follow the contest winner's road to the GRAMMYs through the artist's dedicated blog on GRAMMY.com during GRAMMY Week, and by voting for their favorite artist at http://contests.hitlab.com/. Fans are entered into a drawing to win a trip to attend the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

About Hitlab, Inc.

Hitlab is a global social network connecting the world through hit songs. Combining patented music fingerprinting techniques with data aggregated from the social web and a captive network of engaged artists and fans, Hitlab's technology provides a means to discover, promote, distribute and experience the most relevant and most talked about music. For more information about Hitlab, please visit www.hitlab.com.

About The Recording Academy

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Google +, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.

SOURCE Hitlab, Inc.