LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec . 6/PRNewswire! -- Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation announces the first half market finals for the KOOL MIXX program, a national competition for up-and-coming DJs . The annual competition began in August 2000 with "MIXX OFFs," where DJs competed in an open-mic atmosphere to showcase their mixing abilities . Based on audience response, creativity, originality, and accuracy, four winners were chosen to move on to the final competition . Finalists will open for De La Soul, Cam'ron, Prodigy and other platinum artists in the KOOL MIXX Final Event . "Performing with a national artist will provide exposure for the DJs that they might not otherwise receive and allow them to perform in front of larger audiences," said Darryl A . Dunham, brand associate with Brown & Williamson . "We are proud to have A-list talent such as De La Soul and Cam'ron for KOOL MIXX, whose audiences are a perfect fit for the program ." "Although this is the first year for KOOL MIXX as a nationwide program, the crowds are really curious and responsive," said Dunham . "One of the key goals of KOOL MIXX is to provide talented DJs with an outlet to demonstrate their abilities . We are proud to support talent that doesn't always get the recognition they deserve." During the first KOOL MIXX events celebrities such as Juvenile and Carl Anthony Payne made guest appearances . The 10-city KOOL MIXX Final Competition kicks off in Detroit and includes visits to Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, New Orleans . The crowned champion for each event will take home additional prizes, including $2,000.00 cash and clothes from Lifted Gear, a DJ-inspired clothing line that will be launched in the spring of next year . Lifted Gear clothing will only be available to KOOL MIXX DJs until its national launch . The KOOL MIXX competition takes place in clubs such as Club 2000 in Detroit, Park West in Chicago, and House of Blues in New Orleans . Consistent with Brown & Williamson's policy of directing its marketing programs only to adult consumers, admission is limited to those of legal age . With headquarters in Louisville, KY, Brown & Williamson is a leading cigarette manufacturer and marketer of tobacco products . In addition to its KOOL brand, the company's leading cigarette brands include : LUCKY STRIKE, PALL MALL CARLTON, CAPRI, GPC, MISTY, and VICEROY . Additional information on Brown & Williamson can be found on the company's Web site, www.brownandwilliamson.com.