As the world’s most popular online video community, YouTube has prompted millions of people to watch and share their talents, including their musical, dancing, and performing skills. With an increasing number of users since its activation in 2005, YouTube has propelled aspiring artists to superstardom.

In an effort to celebrate the success of the website and its users-turned-stars, YouTube Live is preparing to launch its first annual community celebration at San Francisco’s Herbst Pavillion in Fort Mason. The talent lineup of the event will include artists Will.i.am [click to read], Akon [click to read], Esmee Denters, and Soulja Boy [click to read]. The event will honor buzzworthy videos from the site’s early days until today. Although a few of the performers, including Will.i.am and Akon, did not begin their careers on the Internet, others such as MC Hammer (who will also attend the event) will participate in order to recognize the hundreds of videos dedicated to them.

YouTube Live is the first time a broad variety of YouTube stars are scheduled to appear together under one roof,” said Chris Di Cesare, Head of Marketing for YouTube. “There have been so many wonderful talents that have emerged from YouTube and more established acts continue to recognize how invaluable YouTube is to building their audience. We felt it was only right to recognize them all in true YouTube fashion.

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Soulja Boy, who owes a portion of his fame to his beginnings as a YouTube and MySpace star, will also be participating in the event alongside other celebs such as newcomer Katy Perry. After recording his first single “Crank Dat” in 2007 and distributing the hit among online communities such as YouTube, Soulja Boy was thrust into the public limelight. As his popularity on the Internet grew, Soulja Boy would eventually go on to sign with Collipark Records and become the youngest person to write, produce, and perform a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.

In addition to the YouTube Live event that will be held in San Francisco, one will also be held in Tokyo, Japan. For those who cannot attend either one, the event will also be streamed live on Youtube. To sign up for tickets or to watch the festivities taking place, [click here].

Reported by Salima Koroma.