HipHopClub is proud to announce that the Nu Music Group will be hosting its 1st Annual Twin Cities Urban Music Awards on March 23rd, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the EPIC Event Center. The event has 25 categories which recognizes the movers and shakers of the Twin Cities entertainment scene. Open voting for the qualifying contestants is happening now through the end of January. On February 1, 2012 the 2nd round will feature the top 8 nominees of each category for the TCUMA’s. Simply go to http://www.TwinCitiesUrbanMusicAwards.com to cast your vote. Voters are allowed to vote only once per day for their favorite contestant.

Here is the current list of categories and qualifying participants:

Music Video/Videographer Of The Year:
Black Ice ft Impirio & Cru “Take You High” – Dave Wilson
Tae Guapo “I Just Wanna Make It” – 13twentythree
Recess Kidd Redd “Dranks Up” Ft. Book Money & Avey Quakes – Casey Kruchten KCP
Big Wiz “Pure Class” – Abhinav
Lil Cheiff On Da Trakk “Haterz On Dekk” – Lil Cheiff On Da Trakk
Rocky Diamonds “Drivin Wit Our Eyes Closed” – Urban Class Films
TVick ft. Young Thon “Get Money, Make Music” – Fella Fellz
2Tone ft.Crown Vick & Mikke “Tatz & Rackz Remix”‏ – Mick Swag
Gaines “Mental” – 13twentythree
Da Street Kid “I’mma Problem” Easy Money Tv
Mental Mid ft. FA Beezy – Neo Film Movement
Chantel Winn “No More” – Sharpestmemory
S. Madison “Fall” Ft The Rxmedy – 13twentythree
Dookie Feat. Rocky Diamonds “Dust” – 13twentythree
Bishop Swagghop “Fred Flinstone” – Ben Hughes Studios
Left Right Boyz ft. J. Isaac , Buddah Bless “Time” – Hi-Def
Rob-1 Ft. Megan Duncan “Revolution” – morningsidefilms
Trilla “It’s About To Go Down” – Go Hard Tv / Easy Money Tv
Straight Check$ “Drifting Away” – Neo Film Movement
Fedy ft. Gucci Mane, Griselda Blanco “All Dis Money” – Hi-Def
Kash Da Kid Ft Bizzie Official “Tunnel Vision” – Fella Fellz

Male Rap Artist Of The Year:
Smart Guy Chevelle
Chevy Boy
Yung Truth
Dookie
Buddah Bless
Meta
Mista Maeham
Unknown
Fedy
Rob-1
Meech
T Vick
Rocky Diamonds
Prof
Toki Wright
Sick
Mac Irv
Young Tyson
A-Lo
YD
Eddie Gwopo
Tony Bones
King Sandman
K-Bone
T-Storm
Gaines
S. Madison
G-Beck
FIC
Money Mouse
Chillah Rose

Female Rap Artist Of The Year:
Laidee P
Recess Kidd Redd
Miss Tress
Nook Chi-Girl
Sweetz P
Desdamona
Lady Vicious
Katana

Male R&B Artist Of The Year:
Black
Checkmate
Rico Nevotion
DaJo Vu
Deon The Phenom
Chrishan
J Isaac
Rxmedy
Kovan
Troy Bell
Trilla
Marquise KingReckless Mason
Crisis Fresh

Female R&B Artist Of The Year:
Salimah Bryant
Chantel Sings
Margeaux Davis
Chantel Winn
Auburn
Christina Sophia Fisher
Tiffany Carter
Dezire
Paris Benett

Song Of The Year:
Crisis Fresh – “Real R&B”
Money Ap Ent – “Throw My M’z Up”
KO – “I Got Money”
Kid Stunna – “Life Aint Easy”
Rob-1 Ft. Megan Duncan – “Revolution”
Trilla – “It’s About To Go Down”
Mental Mid – “Work”
Sick – “Uugh”
S. Madison ft The Rxmedy – “Fall”
TEAMRNB – “GO BACK”
2Tone ft. Crown Vick & Mikke – “Tatz & Rackz Remix”‏
Raemo-P – “O’man”
O.B.F. – “Fresh Like POW”
Midwest Selects – “Frostbite”
Holli BMS Bangz – “Charlie Sheen”

Album Of The Year:
Verstyle Cho & Kente – From Da Country 2 The City
Chantel Sings – Beautiful Dream
Absent – Amber Alert
Mike Dreams – Just Waking Up
Sick – Ridin Wit No L’s
King Sandman – Jewelleo’s Story
Book Money – Challenged
Carnage – Worth The Wait
M.anifest – Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America
The Anchormen – South Side Action News
Tony Bones – The Legacy
Sti-Lo Reel – All of Me
Trilla – Soul Of A Man

Mixtape Of The Year:
P-Nut The Artist – The Chronicles Of Burnsville Pt.1
Crown Vick & Mr. Dee – Stuck Together
Taylor J – Takeover Vol.1
Mista Maeham- Bread or Lead
Kente – New Jack Of The Twin Cities Vol.2 “The Resurface”
Skip Grandz – Doobie Brothers w/Drew Doe & Peter Parker
Ghost‏ – Mr. I don’t Tell
G.Beck & Poncho – Pick Your Poison
T-Storm – This Is Just Practice Vol. 5.5
Young Nuk – Up Up N Away
T Baby – Maserati Baby
Selfish – Rise To Power
Gizzyboyy – Lust My Success
Chrishan – Man of the Year 2 w/ DJ Ill Will & HotNewHipHop
Youngree and JISI – Jump In Sum Ice Vol.1
Smart Guy Chevelle -Train Of Thought

Lyricist Of The Year:
Muja Messiah
Kiddricc
St. Paul Slim
Selfish
Mally
Veez Riddlez
Kashy
Mike Dreams
Toki Wright
Concept

Best Group Of The Year:
Midwest Selects
The Lawbreakers
Paper Roll$
OBF- One Big Family
The Round Table Ent
TEAM RNB
Impirio & Cru
PLK N Pakman
Pretty Money
The Anchormen
Team T.O.E.
Atmosphere
Cherry Sky Studios
Jaded Rzeign
Youngree and JISI
St. Paul Kings
Take 2
Mobb Music Affiliates
Tycoon City
Tha Villianz
Doomtree
501 Gang
Money Ap Ent
Straight Check$
U.G.S.
Long Doe Records
Get Money Crazy
Verstyle Cho & Kente
VIP
M.O.E. (Money Ova Everything)
Soundsick
G.L.U.E.

Grinder Of The Year:
Book Money
Ak Atm Muzik
Prince Carlton
DJ Rush
T Bizzy
Ice Dude
Jay Estate
Sippizone Supaunit Cbosent
Lady Williams
Rico Nevotion
Young Marciano
Lorenzo Hampton
StudioThe Kid
DJ Laylow

Minneapolis MVP Of The Year:
Ace B Hitchcock
Jay Estate
Sick
King Sandman
Ice Dude
Selfish
D-sota
Rico Nevotion
Big Wiz
Chevy Boy
Lil Cheiff On Da Trakk

St. Paul MVP Of The Year:
Willie Jamez
Fedy
Apple Jacc
HC Da Chemist
Dubb J
St. Paul Slim
Bishop Swagghop
Toki Wright
Dat Boy Brown
Mista Maeham

Rookie Of The Year:
Tay Betta
12 Gage
Lorenzo Hampton
D.Eazy
Swagnificent
Yung Jr6
Kid Stunna

TC’s Most Slept On:
Yung Jr6
12 Gage
Drizzle
Hella-Cik a.k.a Dacatti
Davinci Code
Swagnificent
Hostile 6
Capizzil
E-Monsta
BlaccOut
Sweetz P
Untamed Youth
Mobb Music Affiliates
Skip Grandz
Big Moe
Absent
Ron-G
KO
Fly Boy Beezy
Epidemic
Kristyle
P-Nut The Artist
Jay El
Yung Sippi
Verb
Keyvo
Tycoon-Da-C.e.o.
Free Money
Averahle Quakez
Fly Henderson
Poncho
King Ausar
Yella Boii
King Moee Beatz
Cashinova
Maniac P Glass
Gizzyboyy
N.I.G.
Mn_Flame
Luminati Walton
Reo Galor

TC’s Next To Blow:
Straight Check$
Young Nuk
Youngree and JISI
Tae Guapo
U- Sity
Mental Mid
Jrichol
51fitty
Crown Vick
Uneasy
Mo/Vell
Kash Da Kid
Midwest Selects
Beasly
Tonytone Montana
Dreezy The Canon
Gunna Mane
Maserati Baby
Chantel Winn
Da Street Kid
P-Nut The Artist
Apple Jack
Sti-Lo Reel
Bobby James
Dunn Deal
D. Eazy
Mr. 83
$Bags

Promoter Of The Year:
ATG
Black N White Ent
Mr. Biggs Entertainment
L.O.T.P.
Tagg Magazine
Indie Artist Circle Management
4seen Magazine
5 Star Entertainment
SBG Ent
JMR Inc.
Six twelve magazine
The Franchise
So Classy Ent
Lady Erin
Prince Carlton
T.B.M. Ent

Record Label Of The Year:
Blaze 1 Camp Ent
Guaranteed Ent
Velvo Records
Pledge Empire Records
Long Doe Records
Rhymesayers
Still Real Records
Money Ap Ent

Producer Of The Year:
T-Lace
Megha Mann
Zone Beats
Mike The Martyr
T-Mic Beats
Process Tha PulzeRazr
Chrishan
Vegas
Sinister Grinch
Tek
Nicademus
Midwest Melt Down Productionz
D Mennace
CeeSaw
Young Mennace
The Commission
Holli BMS Bangz
Hakeem The Poet
Checkmate
Greg Romero
VI
ChukOneManBand

DJ Of The Year:
DJ Papadoc
DJ Intenze
DJ Rawskillz
DJ Gemini
DJ Advance
DJ XL
DJ Drumma Boy
DJ Laylow
Dj Donte
DJ D.Mil
DJ Bro Jules
DJ Mike Mack
DJ One
DJ Hollywood Hotrod
DJ KG
DJ Clubbanga
DJ Enferno

Best Radio Station Of The Year:
Kmoj “WEEKEND GROOVE” W/Marciano & Jayestate
The Session (KFAI)
Rob G Radio
Kmoj Tite At Nite
107.5WDEPRadio
Hello Squad Music Group Da Goon Hour
IndieHop w/ Sunshine on Hittin Lick Radio

Best Graphic Artist Of The Year:
Hi-Def
Gemini Grafix
Pulido GFX
Still Real Records
Get Bizzie designz
Creative Standard
Midwest Melt Down Productionz
13TwentyThree
Phillip Garcia

Livest Local Artist Show Of The Year:
Pledge Empire Records Events
The Knockout Freestyle Emcee Battle
Tight on Ya Ass IAC
Vibin Open Mic Shows
DJ Rush Open Mic Tuesdays
1st Round Open Mic Shows
Sippizone Supaunit Cbosent Events
T.B.M. Ent Events
Where It’s At Wednesdays
Mixtape Monday’s @ T’s Place

Host Of The Year:
Tee Moore
B Wright
Chris Styles
Jemika Hayes
Young Marciano
Lisa Moy
Jay Estate
The One And Only Black
B-Luv
Lady Williams

Photographer Of The Year:
Nored Photos
Hi-Def Photos
13TwentyThree Photography
InUrFace Photography
KCP612
Fella Fellz
In House Media
Go Hard Photography
BabiBoo#1 Photo’s
Harlan Dorman

Model Of The Year:
Diamond MsBabee – TBM Model
Ashley Tremblay
Darliza Howse – InUrFace Model
Bailar Queen – InUrFace Model
Rocki-B
Brianna Jackson
Ciara Jiana – ATG Diva
Kitty – InUrFace Model
Gabby Roberts – ATG Diva
Casarah Baker
Tru Chase
Nitra
Takheisha Doss
Nema Dean – ATG Diva
Jazz Milaya
Allegra Sapphire
Netti Detwiler
Kemah Duopu

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Guccio of Quit Playing Entertainment announced yesterday that the highly anticipated “Moscato Music” project with Laudie On Da Track will be available Thursday, February 9th via LiveMixtapes.com and unveiled the cover artwork. The mixtape will be hosted by DJ Scream with production from Laudie and Drumma Boy and is sponsored by the St. Lunatics Freaky Muscato wine brand. Music featured on the project will be from Shorty Da Prince, Hakeem Tha Dream, Aloha Mi’Sho, Bradd Young, Ebony Eyez, J-Kwon, Murphy Lee, Bun B, Rockwell Knuckles, Brittney J and Fame & Fortune.

Below is BTS footage of Guccio, Laudie, Kyjuan, Ebony Eyez and Rico Wade (producer for Outkast) of Organized Noize in the studio working on the project. I personally got to watch the experience which was pretty cool.

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On Reflection Eternal’s 2000 album “Train of Thought,” Talib Kweli challenged fans, and himself, to “do what comes naturally.” After years of recording on mainstream labels, he now has the chance to produce exactly what he wants—and feels he needs—to produce: an album straight from his mouth to the ears of his fans. Invoking the true meaning of MC, Master of Ceremonies, Kweli brings incredible power to his live shows and feeds off the spontaneous energy of his audiences. Being able to interact directly with his audience and the musicians he most respects, he has created an album and a sound that best reproduces that ceremony for his fans. Finally, after serious urgency in the studio, Kweli presents ‘Gutter Rainbows,’ an album that takes a trip back to childhood while marking the newest stage in his long and dynamic career. This newest release, recorded on his time and with his talent as the driving force, proves Kweli is a complete and formidable musician—it presents the depth and breadth of his experience and ability, and sets a new bar for the cutting edge of hip-hop music.
Through Kweli’s various collaborations, he has been able to grow as an artist and expand his fan base. For over 15 years, Kweli has been a king of New York hip-hop who has an expansive international audience. Kweli’s work with Mos Def on “Black Star” (1998) still stands as one of hip-hop’s premiere expressions of truth. On “Train of Thought,” Kweli teamed up with Hi Tek to form Reflection Eternal, a virtuoso hip-hop duo that continues to wow audiences and critics alike. In 2007, Kweli and DJ/Producer/MC Madlib gave their fans “Liberation”—originally released free on the internet—an album that was filled with their joint love of the music they make and the respect their fans give them. Performing all over the world with unique style and an unequaled dedication to his music, Kweli has worked with artists as diverse as Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, MF Doom, Mary J. Blige, Fabolous, Common, Nelly, The Roots, Quincy Jones, Gucci Mane, Norah Jones, KRS-One and many more. With a career filled with success and innovation, it comes as no surprise that both Jay-Z and 50 Cent, at the height of their stardom, both counted Kweli among their favorite rappers. On his “solo” albums, there is no question that his lyrical talent and unique musical drive rank up there with the best in the business. Recording with other world famous musicians or alone on the mic, Kweli gives both the long-time fan and the uninitiated an unforgettable experience.

“Gutter Rainbows” was recorded with the help of incredibly talented musicians from across the country. Eric Krasno, Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady, Iron Solomon, Outasight, Kendra Ross, Sean Price, 88-Keys, Marco Polo, Ski Beatz, M-Phazes, S-1, E. Jones, Oh No and others make appearances. With this record, Kweli is able to make the music he knows and loves, play with the best musicians around, and bring it straight to his fans.

As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Kweli saw gutters that ran with dirt, oil and water, revealing a shimmering rainbow to his child’s eyes. Drawing its title from this memory, this album puts at the raw center what his music has been doing for years: finding and preserving the beautiful in the hideous; the rainbows in the gutter. Weaving the lyrical and the gritty, the autobiographical with an honest, no-holds- barred hip-hop spirit; Kweli sticks fiercely to what feels true to him in creating the sound of this album. Without being tied to any particular label’s conception of what his sound should be or when his work should hit his fans, Kweli is free to build his most personal album yet in both content and motivation. Kweli’s true solo career has only just begun, and although the future holds more collaboration, “Gutter Rainbows” marks a new stage in the long and ever-evolving career of Talib Kweli.

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On Saturday, October 16, 2010, we lost our beloved friend, family member and artist Micheal “eyedea” Larsen at the age of 28.  Eyedea, who was most notably known for his music with Eyedea & Abilities, Oliver Hart, Face Candy and Carbon Carousel, was an artist in its truest form. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. In the days to come, we feel the focus should be on Micheal’s life, music and legacy.  Let’s celebrate his life, remember his music and never forget what he has given us all.

Public Wake:
Micheal “eyedea” Larsen Memorial
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2010
Public: 7:30-10:00PM
Location: Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront, Minnesota Grand Ballroom
Address: 11 East Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55101

Sending Flowers: If you are interested in sending flowers for the memorial, all deliveries must be made to arrive on Thursday, October 28, 2010. Please make deliveries to arrive prior to 12:00PM CST.

Send to: Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront, Minnesota Grand Ballroom, c/o Micheal Larsen Memorial, 11 East Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55101.

A Celebration of the life of Micheal “eyedea” Larsen
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Location: First Avenue Mainroom, 701 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Doors: 5:00PM
Ages: All Ages
Donation: $20

Tickets will be on sale: Monday, October 25, 2010 at 5:00PM CST

Tickets will be available at Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405. For those of you that are not in the Twin Cities area; a limited amount of tickets will be available online at Etix.com.

There is no guest list. All donations will go to the family of Micheal “eyedea” Larsen.

(more…)

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