NEW YORK/ORLANDO – International superstar Pitbull will headline the 2012 NBA All-Star Halftime Performance on Sunday, Feb. 26. The NBA All-Star Game will air live at 7 p.m. ET on TNT, Score Canada, ESPN Radio, and in more than 200 countries in more than 40 languages.

Pitbull will highlight the halftime show with a performance of his #1 single “Give Me Everything,” featuring singer/songwriter Ne-Yo and newcomer Nayer. During the halftime show, Pitbull will deliver a performance with his signature rhymes and will be joined by a host of special guest performers.

Grammy® nominee Nicki Minaj will be performing a medley of songs, including her new smash single “Starships,” and fan favorites like “Super Bass,” during the introductions of the 2012 NBA All-Stars. The Queen of Hip Hop Soul and Golden Globe nominated Mary J. Blige will honor America with the singing of the U.S. national anthem. Canadian born pop band Neverest will sing the Canadian national anthem before the 61^st NBA All-Star Game tip-off.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, will.i.am will hit the court to perform his single “The Hardest Ever” prior to the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest. Flo Rida will perform his current single “Good Feeling” from his upcoming fourth studio album, just prior to the Sprite Slam Dunk contest.  Javier Colon of “The Voice” fame will sing the U.S. national anthem. All performances on Saturday night will air before a nationwide audience, live on TNT at 8 p.m. ET.

The 2012 NBA All-Star Game will take place at the Amway Center, a world-class arena for sports and entertainment in Orlando.

About the Artists

Mary J. Blige (Matriarch/Geffen) – Mary J. Blige is pure, unadulterated, and empowering and that has been her calling card since her 1992 multi-platinum debut album, “What’s the 411?” In the ensuing years, the singer/songwriter’s musical strong suit has reached worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums. Blige has a total of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy® Awards, four American Music Awards, and was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her original song “The Living Proof” in The Help. The singer returns just as fierce and compelling on her 10th studio album, the aptly titled “My Life II … The Journey Continues (Act 1).” The new project doubles as the sequel to Blige’s 1994 classic My Life.

Nicki Minaj (Young Money) –  Nicki Minaj is a colorful rapper/singer who had a meteoric rise from underground hopeful to hip-hop’s trend-setting, fashion-forward leading lady in less than three years. “Pink Friday,” her debut album, was released in November 2010. It soared straight to No. 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and the Billboard 200 its first week. Minaj’s highly anticipated sophomore album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” will be released in April 2012. In the meantime, Minaj received her first Grammy® Award nomination for best new artist in 2012.

Pitbull (RCA/Polo Grounds/Mr. 305 Inc.) – Pitbull’s critically acclaimed sixth studio album, Planet Pit, features a host of pop music luminaries including Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, T-Pain and Kelly Rowland as well as star-studded producers Dr. Luke, Max Martin, RedOne, David Guetta and Benny Blanco. The knockout smash “Give Me Everything” featuring Ne-Yo and Nayer marks Pitbull’s first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and the follow-up smash “Rain Over Me” with Marc Anthony also topped #1 on the Latin Pop, Rhythmic and Tropical charts.  His current single “International Love” featuring Chris Brown is gaining heavy momentum as it makes it way up the charts. Pitbull’s first Spanish-language album, Armando, which features the Top 5 Latin Billboard pop single “Bon Bon,” garnered two Latin Grammy nominations and Pitbull’s last English album Starring in Rebelution produced such global hits as “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)” and club favorite “Hotel Room Service.”

Ne-Yo (Compound/Motown) – Grammy® Award-winner Ne-Yo is a developing into a triple threat — dynamic performer on stage and on screen and acclaimed songwriter. Indeed, Ne-Yo has been called one of this millennium’s most talented songwriters, arrangers and vocalists. Since his debut as a solo artist in 2006, Ne-Yo has released four albums: Grammy-nominated In My Own Words, Grammy-winning Because of You, Grammy-nominated Year of the Gentleman and Libra Scale. He has had five top ten songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and two number-one albums on the Billboard 200. His most recent big screen venture was a starring role in the George Lucas executive produced film, Red Tails.

will.i.am (Interscope) – A seven-time Grammy Award-winner, will.i.am is known not only for his work with The Black Eyed Peas, who have sold 31 million albums and 58 million singles worldwide, but also for his work with some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names, including Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, and David Guetta. “T.H.E” (The Hardest Ever) is the debut single from The Black Eyed Peas founder and frontman’s forthcoming solo album, #willpower.

Flo Rida (Atlantic, Poe Boy) – Flo Rida is a Miami-based Grammy®-nominated artist that burst onto the scene in 2007 with his record-breaking hit “Low” (feat. T-Pain), off of his debut album, “MAIL ON SUNDAY.” The single has gone on to become one of the most successful digital singles of the past decade, having been certified six-times platinum domestically. Globally, Flo Rida has sold over 42 million singles and nearly 2 million albums.

Javier Colon (Universal Republic Records) ­– Javier Colon was the winner of the inaugural season of NBC’s “The Voice.” Colon has since released his debut album, “Come Through For You”, on Universal Republic Records.  In his early career, Colon released two major label albums Javier in 2003 and Left of Center in 2006. Colon’s sound expands beyond the confines of pop music, while still retaining an undeniable sense of melody.

Nayer (2101 Records/Mr. 305) – Nayer is an American singer-songwriter and model.  She is best known as a featured artist on Pitbull’s 2011 hit single “Give Me Everything.” Nayer was discovered by rapper Pitbull in 2007. Nayer  began a modeling and acting career at a very young age, appearing in numerous ads, and participating in TV programs such as Alondra, Sábado Gigante or La piñata loca, but her real passion was pop music. She performed in Star Search at age 7.

Neverest (Vic Park Group/Fontana North/Universal Music) – As their name suggests, Neverest are absolutely relentless in the pursuit of their musical goals. For a unit that only solidified their lineup in early 2010, they’re already well on their way. With the tremendous success of their debut single, “About Us,” Neverest, had the honor of supporting the Canadian dates of the highly successful NKOTBSB (Backstreet Boys and New Kids On The Block) tour. Their second single, “Everything,” is already a success at radio and the accompanying short film, directed by RT!, was nominated for an MuchMusic Video Award. The debut EP, also titled “About Us,” was released on March 29, 2011.