Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards gain stellar marks
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/36973/1/Pittsburgh-Hip-Hop-Awards-gain-stellar-marks/Page1.html
Ashley G. Woodson
By Ashley G. Woodson
Published on 01/25/2007
The first Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards was a resounding success. Defying the myth that equates hip-hop with chaos and violence, a first class event was produced in a mainstream venue in the Golden Triangle and signified the maturity of Pittsburgh’s hip-hop community.
Event unites young bucks and old heads
The first Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards was a resounding success. Defying the myth that equates hip-hop with chaos and violence, a first class event was produced in a mainstream venue in the Golden Triangle and signified the maturity of Pittsburgh’s hip-hop community.
The event drew a cross section of the Black community along with movers and shakers of the hip-hop recording industry, and both participants and spectators left energized and optimistic for the future of Pittsburgh’s hip-hop talent.
Promoter Dwayne Muhammad, founder and producer of the Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards, recall the genesis of the stellar occasion.
“I put this together to energize the city and to have the artists step up their game. Melle Mel said, ‘St. Louis and Atlanta did it and Pittsburgh can do it too.’
Muhammad, who is also CEO of 360 Entertainment, is determined to see a bright future for hip-hop in the Steel City, and sees the awards as a catalyst to encourage and acknowledge the region’s talent.
He’s already developed a strategy to harness the positive energy of the awards and propel music forward.
“We have to create our own industry within Pittsburgh,” notes Muhammad. “You have artists that are energized in the studios and the labs now.”
His 360 Entertainment is hosting a free music conference next month. Details are available at the Hip-hop Award’s website (www.pittsburghhiphopawards.com).
Other attendees were impressed with the proceedings and its potential.
Casino, of Alumni Music Group said, “I think it’s a beautiful thing for the city and it is definitely time. I think it’s going to unite everyone in the city. It will link up every hood so we can move forward and push through.”
Fellow group member Keygen Bryant co-signed Casino’s remarks. “When I first heard about it, I was very excited and I think it’s very necessary. We needed something like this to happen.”
“The unity that’s happening in this building at the Hilton cannot be stopped. It’s a beautiful thing,” Bryant added. “We are for the best hip-hip group and we really don’t care (that) we didn’t win (an award). The fact that we are veterans and out here grinding means it’s our time.”
Rick Adams, host of Ebony Spectrum (heard on WRCT-FM 88.3) said the gathering was a positive event.
“I think it’s good any time we can get together and celebrate ourselves, our culture and our native talents. We are using that to build up the community, businesses, and family. We want to send out some messages that will keep us together, which is strong and I’m all for it.”
A Pittsburgher garnering national notice in hip-hop consumer and industry publications was all smiles after nabbing a pair for “Lyricist of the Year” and “Male Artist of the Year.”
“I think it’s going to do big things for the city,” said Wiz Khalifa. “It’s a lot of young and old cats out here who will get some recognition that they deserve.”
The general consensus was that the program and recognition is all good.
“It’s good that people are coming out to recognize the artist,” said hip-hop legend Tuffy Tuff. “I hope this isn’t the first and last awards show because this is a good thing and the energy is right.”
Actor Carl Clemons from the hit series “The Wire” was of the same mind.
“It’s a blessing, said Clemons. “We’ve got pioneers in the building from Pittsburgh holding it down. I’m happy that they’re doing this.”
Lucky Williams of Underground Hip sees a bright future for the local scene. “I’m loving the idea and I think it’s a step in the right direction. People are coming out of the woodwork and participating, he said.
“We’ll come together now and in between awards shows it will make people step their game up. It doesn’t seem like a big deal right now, but the major record labels are going to come in and ask who the winners are and the top-notch cats.”
Members of the clergy had love for the event, too.
Minister Brady Hill, Sr. observed, “For the city of Pittsburgh, it’s good to see everyone come out and be able to contain themselves. It is not about fighting and killing. Also for the Christian community, it gives us a voice that even in the midst of everything that is going on—God still gets his props.”
Perhaps the final pronouncement came for local music legend, Sly Jock. “It’s well deserved and a long time coming,” he said. “I hope it will get the young bucks and the old heads together.”
The event drew a cross section of the Black community along with movers and shakers of the hip-hop recording industry, and both participants and spectators left energized and optimistic for the future of Pittsburgh’s hip-hop talent.
Promoter Dwayne Muhammad, founder and producer of the Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards, recall the genesis of the stellar occasion.
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| PARADISE GRAY AND MELLE MEL |
“I put this together to energize the city and to have the artists step up their game. Melle Mel said, ‘St. Louis and Atlanta did it and Pittsburgh can do it too.’
Muhammad, who is also CEO of 360 Entertainment, is determined to see a bright future for hip-hop in the Steel City, and sees the awards as a catalyst to encourage and acknowledge the region’s talent.
He’s already developed a strategy to harness the positive energy of the awards and propel music forward.
“We have to create our own industry within Pittsburgh,” notes Muhammad. “You have artists that are energized in the studios and the labs now.”
His 360 Entertainment is hosting a free music conference next month. Details are available at the Hip-hop Award’s website (www.pittsburghhiphopawards.com).
Other attendees were impressed with the proceedings and its potential.
Casino, of Alumni Music Group said, “I think it’s a beautiful thing for the city and it is definitely time. I think it’s going to unite everyone in the city. It will link up every hood so we can move forward and push through.”
Fellow group member Keygen Bryant co-signed Casino’s remarks. “When I first heard about it, I was very excited and I think it’s very necessary. We needed something like this to happen.”
“The unity that’s happening in this building at the Hilton cannot be stopped. It’s a beautiful thing,” Bryant added. “We are for the best hip-hip group and we really don’t care (that) we didn’t win (an award). The fact that we are veterans and out here grinding means it’s our time.”
Rick Adams, host of Ebony Spectrum (heard on WRCT-FM 88.3) said the gathering was a positive event.
“I think it’s good any time we can get together and celebrate ourselves, our culture and our native talents. We are using that to build up the community, businesses, and family. We want to send out some messages that will keep us together, which is strong and I’m all for it.”
A Pittsburgher garnering national notice in hip-hop consumer and industry publications was all smiles after nabbing a pair for “Lyricist of the Year” and “Male Artist of the Year.”
“I think it’s going to do big things for the city,” said Wiz Khalifa. “It’s a lot of young and old cats out here who will get some recognition that they deserve.”
The general consensus was that the program and recognition is all good.
“It’s good that people are coming out to recognize the artist,” said hip-hop legend Tuffy Tuff. “I hope this isn’t the first and last awards show because this is a good thing and the energy is right.”
Actor Carl Clemons from the hit series “The Wire” was of the same mind.
“It’s a blessing, said Clemons. “We’ve got pioneers in the building from Pittsburgh holding it down. I’m happy that they’re doing this.”
Lucky Williams of Underground Hip sees a bright future for the local scene. “I’m loving the idea and I think it’s a step in the right direction. People are coming out of the woodwork and participating, he said.
“We’ll come together now and in between awards shows it will make people step their game up. It doesn’t seem like a big deal right now, but the major record labels are going to come in and ask who the winners are and the top-notch cats.”
Members of the clergy had love for the event, too.
Minister Brady Hill, Sr. observed, “For the city of Pittsburgh, it’s good to see everyone come out and be able to contain themselves. It is not about fighting and killing. Also for the Christian community, it gives us a voice that even in the midst of everything that is going on—God still gets his props.”
Perhaps the final pronouncement came for local music legend, Sly Jock. “It’s well deserved and a long time coming,” he said. “I hope it will get the young bucks and the old heads together.”