The World Hip Hop Awards 2008

After blogging about the Soundcity Music Video Awards, The Ghana Music Awards and MTV Australia Awards, I had to give the World Hip Hop Awards some love, even though it went down b4 the aforementioned ones What I love about peeping these various awards shows is the exposure we get to the major Hip Hop and Soul Players that are not from the states...

Popular female artiste, Bukola Elemide aka Asa emerged as the big winner, garnering honors for Recording of the year, Album of the year and Female Vocal Performance of the year.

Here is Asa's (Asha) popular video "Fire On The Mountain"

Asa's Producer, Cobhams Asuquo, also won the award for Producer of the Year.

There were 18 categories in all. Some of the other winners include:

Vocal Performance (Male): 9ice - Ruggedly Baba
HHW Revelation of the Year: 9ice.
Song of the Year: Olu Maintain - Yahoozee
Artiste of the year: D’banj
Best music video: DJ Tee (Director) - Stylee
Best Reggae/Dance hall: Timaya - True Story
Best R&B/Pop Album: Tu face - Grass2Grace
Best Rap Album: 9ice -Ruggedly Baba
Best Collaboration: Jimmy Jatt, 2face, Elajoe and Mode9 - Stylee
Best Rap Single: M.I. - Crowd Mentality
Next Rated artist: Wande Coal - OLOLUFE
(source)
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Flava reppin the global Hip Hop movement!

YA HEARD? new music from T.I.!

There was a leaked track called "Hunt Em Down", a very violent track that T.I. says was written back in 2006 after his friend was murdered. He said he didn't want anyone to get it twisted - that joint WILL NOT be on Paper Trail. (I'm sure it won't -- since he is trying to play nice in light of his legal troubles) However, this new joint, No Matter What, is and I'm lovin' it. You can hear it today on street cred.

T.I. also says that Hop Hop culture is made by us for us. NOT! To that I say DON'T you get it twisted T.I., greedy white collar corporate interests have totally shaped and informed Hip Hop culture, definitely not in its entirely, but let's give credit where credit is due. C.R.E.A.M. Holla!

Flava reppin the global Hip Hop movement!

Akon's promise to Liberian Hip Hop

via unitednationsofhiphop

Senegalese most famous musical icon Alieu Thiam, alias 'Akon' stormed the city of Monrovia, April 15, where he identified the need to support and improve the skills and quality of Liberian artists.

Addressing a major press conference, the Senegalese-American said he would consider extending his musical foundation referred to as "Confidence" to Liberia.

According to Akon, the foundation has been established by him to help improve the quality of young African artists and to expose their talents to the global world. He further said that additional branches have already been established in Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria and Angola among others. Liberia would be next.

He further noted that he would also consider taking one Liberian artist to the U.S. and noted that through that, another will follow as a way of beginning the pace for the improvement and development in the Liberia musical industry.

Akon who was brought to Liberia by Cellcom Liberia acknowledged the fact that Liberians are loving and caring people and admonished them to remain united and focused in shaping the destiny of the country. He claimed that Africa has a lot to offer to the world and that Africa played a more significant role in his success story today.

Flava reppin the global Hip Hop movement!

Ghana Music Awards: Kwaw Kese

'Tis awards season. The Soundcity Video Awards went down recently in Nigeria, the MTV awards Australia happened this weekend and so did the Ghana Music Awards. Hip Hop America was at all three. Nas in Nigeria, 50, Eve & Wyclef in Australia, and Ja Rule in Ghana.

We here on Flava didn't want you to sleep on the awards show that has its own categories for Ghanian Hip Hop (aka Hip Life) including Hiplife Artist, Hiplife Album and Hiplife Song of the Year. After leading the ceremony with the most nominations, Kwaw Kese not only won all three Hiplife categories but also got the coveted Artist of the Year award. Here is his video for Odeim, the winner for Hiplife song of the year. I love how the stethescope also seems to be his mike. Now all I need is for some of my Ghanain brothers and sisters to translate. Holla!

You can find this joint off the album Na Ya Tai. Cop it!

I also found this very revealing interview with Kwaw Kese. Some of it is translated and it seems he talks of how the industry screws folk over, like having a big hit and still not having any money. We know the exploitation of artists is a worldwide phenom!

You can also tell this brothers flow is sick! No wonder he is one of the greats in the Hiplife game.

Oh by the way, Ja Rule performed at the awards show and got an award for his contribution to the development of the music industry worldwide. For a list of all the winners at the Ghana Music Awards, click here.

I also have to shout out Nigeria which this year is the home of many awards ceremonies including KORA, Channel O, Soundcity, Bubbles and more. We'll be posting a video tomorrow from the major winner at the World Hip Hop awards that went down last month in Nigeria too. So much talent! LOVE IT!

Flava reppin' the global Hip Hop movement!

Australian MTV Awards

Click here to see highlights from the show including the host Wyclef, Eve and more!
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Talk about an awards pre-party! How would you have liked to have been on the flight to Australia, where MTV hosted the second annual Mile High Gig. Passengers were treated to in-flight concert from British rapper Dizzee Rascal and New Zealand's own Scribe. DJs on turntables set up in the plane's business class section pumped the music as Dizzee and Scribe mashed it up in the aisles. The audience consisted of industry insiders, musicians and fans on their way to Sydney for the MTV Australia Awards. Click here for video. Hot to death!! (source) .

For the full list of winners, check out aceshowbiz.

For more video highlights and total coverage, peep mtvawards.com.au

Flava reppin' the global Hip Hop movement!

Snoop & Willie in Amsterdam

I heard about Snoop and Willie Nelson doing a "high" number on stage live in Amsterdam a couple of days ago, but now we can all get to see it with our own bloodshot eyes. Nelly and Willie I could see doin' a collabo but Snoop and Willie? CLASSIK!

Dag why do I suddenly have the munchies?

MTV Australian Music Awards

The MTV Australian Music Awards go down tomorrow April 26 in Australia. Dizee Rascal, 50 Cent, Wyclef and Eve will all grace the stage. Lupe Fiasco is up for the Best Live Performer Award (Go Lupe!) . It should be hot! Want to cast your vote for your favorite artists, click here

Flava reppin' the global Hip Hop movement!

Click it...Hip Hop gossip

G-Unit, Game's albums pushed back! (Ballerstatus)

Alicia Keys has mystery illness? (Eurweb)

Idol's in Africa: After scouring the continent for the best the continent has to offer, the top 65 Idol contestants head to Nairobi to compete for the #1 spot. For the latest, including video, click here (mnetafrica)

Get a bunch of aspiring rappers vying to be crowned the The King or Queen MC of Africa in the same studio to produce a track and hear what happens: Pure Fire...African style. Peep the clip here

UK ban on Snoop Dogg lifted (hiphopdx)
Flava reppin the global Hip Hop movement!

Is NAS that N***R?

Here's what one artist had to say ...

"And after hearing your interviews, seeing the title of your upcoming LP, and hearing your "leaked" song "Be A Nigger Too" I can say without doubt.... Nas you are THAT nigga!

Nas you're that nigga that pretends to have a grasp on the social quagmire that our people are stuck in and yet cannot for the life of you articulate or justify your position on this obvious plea for controversy. Does this brother realize that his attempts at diffusing the word "Nigger" by making it some all inclusive colloquialism to represent all races is as weak as the beat he spit it too? Does he realize that when Robert Schwartz decides to stop being a nigger all he has to do is change his look. maybe trade in the bapes and backpack put on a suit and he's right and exact. When Robert Yung decides he's no longer a nigga he can be whatever any person of Asian decent can be in the country stereo types not withstanding. When Robert Rodriguez decides to stop being a nigger he can become a proud man of Latin descent. However for Robert Jenkins who's Grand parents where NIGGERS, blown over by fire hoses and beat within an inch of their lives, when the term meant what it will always mean despite his attempts to make it a term of endearment. Whom despite his affluence or allegiance has to be as scared as a runaway slave when pulled over for driving black or shopping black, ...or any of the number of things blacks can do innocently while being black, and end up dead ...like Amadou Diallo. We're the only race that embraces our disgrace, and now you would have everyone else sing along with us in our shame. "
(via daveyd)

What do you think of this artist's assesment of Nas' song. Do you agree?

Flava reppin the global Hip Hop movement!