The 2011 OzHipHop.com Awards are on and I’ve been nominated for 4 categories! Best Male MC, Best Mixtape/Mix CD, Best Free/Downloadable Release & Best All Rounder.
If your active on the site please swing by and drop me a vote here : http://ozhiphop.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=177
Given the huge year that it was for local hip-hop I decided to share my picks for the awards (excluding myself or my crew, because that would make me look like a super wanker).
Best Graffiti Writer 2011:
Sofles. Dude is a beast. When me and Motive played QLD we saw a stack of his pieces around the shop. All burner.
Best Mixing 2011:
Reflux & Ad-Fu – ‘The Quickening’(I think they handled the mixing on this album.) Sounds good on ANY system/headphones.
Best Mixtape/Mix CD 2011:
Spit Syndicate – Best Intentions pt. 1. This one was just a great collection of strong material from the boys. Couple great flips, the ‘xx’ one in particular – wish I’d thought of that shit.
Best Female MC 2011:
Igg…sike. Layla.
Best Group/Crew 2011:
Funkoars. ‘The Quickening’ was their best album to date in my opinion, topped it off with a BIG tour & they created their entire own language which everybody now speaks. Classic.
Best Journalist 2011:
Jim of Allaussiehiphop.com. Really established his site last year from something small to what is now a important place to the scene for artists and fans alike. Had some great interviews with Trem, Prime and stacks of others.
Best Record Label 2011:
Golden Era. Put out a label-showcasing mixtape at the start of the year, Vents & Oars albums and a now-platinum Hoods single. The overall standard of sound quality/presentation/packaging etc stood out on all projects.
Best DJ 2011:
DJ Reflux. On ‘The Quickening’ he executed a great balance between showing off his well refined turntable skills and making the cuts fitting & cohesive cuts to the songs. Nothing out of place.
Best Battle MC 2011:
360. Had some international matches and of course the now infamous Kerser battle. Came back to earn his stripes at a time where he needed too the least. Can’t help but respect that.
Best All Rounder:
Trem. Dude released his album on which he raps, made some of the beats and cut on. My pick is reinforced by the fact he is a master of all of these elements. Super honourable mention to Tommy Illfigga who can essentially do fucking anything related to hip-hop musically and culturally but Trem wins this one based off the album and its anticipation/meeting expectations.
Best Filmclip 2011:
Mantra – ‘Voodoo Music’ – this video was cool as shit. Always good when an artist who is really coming into stride exceeds expectations with their clip. Cool idea executed well.
Best Beat 2011:
‘Down’ off ‘The Life of Riley’ produced by Trials.
Best Cover Art 2011:
To be honest all the music I bought last year was through iTunes so I can’t answer this one. I have a hard copy of Marked For Death (which was April 77 and sick) but nothing to compare it against so we’ll have to pass on this one.
Best Wax 2011:
After Hours – Darker Days. A return to the minds of Wolfshirt and his faction. This one took me back like an ex lover.
Best Free/Downloadable Release 2011:
Spit Syndicate – Best Intentions pt. 1.
Best Track 2011:
Can’t even answer that one, too many songs deserve it. Cop out I know, but gimme a break haha.
Best Male MC 2011:
Drapht. Had the album, the tours and the Aria. Big honorable mention to Illy who smashed 2011 with 2 big tours off ‘The Chase’ album, watching him break through was special.
Best Producer 2011:
Trials. Produced 2 albums, Marked for Death + Life of Riley (spare for 2 beats on TLOR) and 6-7 songs on the Oars album, not to mention guest production. All of these beats were stompers. Yuck.
Best Posse Track 2011:
‘Dead Em’ off Mantra’s album. Stack of dudes on this, all smashed it.
Best Album 2011:
Drapht – ‘The Life of Riley’. This one was the perfect balance of anticipation and quality. The songwriting was different/creatively exciting and it was mixed/written/produced/delivered spot on. It was a fun album that had alot of substance which is the type of shit I like. Apparently tens of thousands of people feel the same. Rofl.
Best Radio Show 2011:
This one goes to Hau’s Hip-Hop show on Triple J BUT has a SUPER honourable mention to Top Billin. Since taking over the Hip-Hop show Hau has brought a good mix of hip-hop from all over the world and also takes chances on the new guys by playing their material on national radio which as an upcoming artist in invaluable.
Top Billin’ get a big honourable mention because there are a lot of underground radio stations we as artists are fortunate enough to frequent but Sheriff Rosco and Rawls have somewhat set the template for using footage of artists visiting the studio to increase awareness of their show. I know for a fact these days there are a lot of heads overseas who check for these video’s and are aware of the station. They play dope music aswell which helps ha.
Best Verse 2011:
Suffa’s verse off of ‘Choas’ from ‘Marked For Death’. There were some amazing verses in 2011 but this one is airtight.
