The polls are now up for the Top Nominees of one of the most anticipated award ceremonies in
Minneapolis/St. Paul history the 2012 Twin Cities Urban Music Awards. Voters shouldn’t be in too much of a hurry to vote for their favorites now because the polls are currently closed. However, voting for the final round will resume from February 24th-March 9th with the actual ceremony taking place on March 23rd 2012 at the EPIC Event Center in Minneapolis. The nominees for each category were posted on the website http://www.twincitiesurbanmusicawards.com/ recently and full details of the event are available on the “The 1st Annual Twin Cities URBAN Music Awards 2012″ Facebook page.

Now here are the Top 7-8 Nominees for the The 1st Annual Twin Cities URBAN Music Awards 2012:

Music Video/Videographer Of The Year:
Recess Kidd Redd “Dranks Up” Ft. Book Money & Avey Quakes – Casey Kruchten KCP
Chantel Winn “No More” – Sharpestmemory
Gaines “Mental” – 13twentythree
Straight Check$ “Drifting Away” – Neo Film Movement
2Tone ft.Crown Vick & Mikke “Tatz & Rackz Remix”‏ – Mick Swag
S. Madison “Fall” Ft The Rxmedy – 13twentythree
Rob-1 Ft. Megan Duncan “Revolution” – morningsidefilms
Trilla “It’s About To Go Down” – Go Hard Tv / Easy Money Tv

Male Rap Artist Of The Year:
Rocky Diamonds
Yung Truth
Rob-1
Gaines
A-Lo
Sick
Chevy Boy
S. Madison

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

Male R&B Artist Of The Year:
Chrishan
Crisis Fresh
Trilla
Rxmedy
Rico Nevotion
Checkmate
Marquise KingReckless Mason
J Isaac

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

Song Of The Year:
Rob-1 Ft. Megan Duncan – “Revolution”
Midwest Selects – “Frostbite”
Raemo-P – “O’man”
O.B.F. – “Fresh Like POW”
2Tone ft. Crown Vick & Mikke – “Tatz & Rackz Remix”‏
S. Madison ft The Rxmedy – “Fall”
Trilla – “It’s About To Go Down”
Holli BMS Bangz – “Charlie Sheen”

Album Of The Year:
Verstyle Cho & Kente – From Da Country 2 The City
Book Money – Challenged
King Sandman – Jewelleo’s Story
Sick – Ridin Wit No L’s
Trilla – Soul Of A Man
Absent – Amber Alert
Mike Dreams – Just Waking Up
Chantel Sings – Beautiful Dream

Mixtape Of The Year:
Skip Grandz – Doobie Brothers w/Drew Doe & Peter Parker
Kente – New Jack Of The Twin Cities Vol.2 “The Resurface”
Youngree and JISI – Jump In Sum Ice Vol.1
Young Nuk – Up Up N Away
Ghost‏ – Mr. I don’t Tell
Taylor J – Takeover Vol.1
Crown Vick & Mr. Dee – Stuck Together
T Baby – Maserati Baby

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

Best Group Of The Year:
Midwest Selects
Jaded Rzeign
Take 2
TEAM RNB
OBF- One Big Family
Verstyle Cho & Kente
Pretty Money
The Lawbreakers
Dajo Vu

Grinder Of The Year:
Lady Williams
DJ Laylow
Jay Estate
Ice Dude
Rico Nevotion
DJ Rush
T Bizzy
Book Money

MPLS MVP Of The Year:
Big Wiz
Rico Nevotion
Sick
Chevy Boy
King Sandman
Jay Estate
Ice Dude
Lil Cheiff On Da Trakk

STP MVP Of The Year:
Bishop Swagghop
Fedy
Mista Maeham
St. Paul Slim
Dubb J
HC Da Chemist
Toki Wright
Willie Jamez

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

TC’s Most Slept On:
Big Moe
Jay El
Untamed Youth
Reo Galor
Free Money
BlaccOut
Yung Sippi
Drizzle

TC’s Next To Blow:
Midwest Selects
Chantel Winn
$Bags
Dreezy The Canon
Dunn Deal
Crown Vick
51fitty
Tonytone Montana

Promoter Of The Year:
Indie Artist Circle Management
Lady Erin
So Classy Ent
ATG
Black N White Ent
L.O.T.P.
T.B.M. Ent
Six twelve magazine

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

Producer Of The Year:
Midwest Melt Down Productionz
T-Mic Beats
CeeSaw
Checkmate
T-Lace
Holli BMS Bangz
Hakeem The Poet
Young Mennace

DJ Of The Year:
DJ Laylow
DJ Clubbanga
DJ Rawskillz
DJ D.Mil
DJ Enferno
DJ Bro Jules
DJ Drumma Boy
DJ Advance

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

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

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

Host Of The Year:
Lady Williams
Young Marciano
Jemika Hayes
Chris Styles
B-Luv
Jay Estate
B Wright
Lisa Moy

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

Model Of The Year:
Casarah Baker
Rocki-B
Nitra
Ashley Tremblay
Diamond MsBabee – TBM Model
Kitty – InUrFace Model
Tru Chase
Nema Dean – ATG Diva

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Atmosphere will be going on a week long Welcome To Minnesota tour in February featuring Kill the Vultures, Big Quarters, MaLLy, and BK-One. Tickets are available now for purchase through Ticketmaster. Tickets for the Minneapolis, Duluth, and St. Cloud shows can be purchased at Fifth Element.

2012 Welcome To Minnesota Tour dates:

2.20.12 – Mankato, MN @ Verizon Wireless Center Ballroom

2.21.12 – Bemidji, MN @ Sanford Center Ballroom

2.22.12 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue: SOLD OUT

2.23.12 – Duluth, MN @ Clyde Iron Works

2.25.12 – Rochester, MN @ Mayo Civic Center Auditorium

2.26.12 – St. Cloud, MN @ SCSU Atwood Center Ballroom

Somebody, MN feat. Atmosphere, Kill The Vultures, Big Quarters & MaLLy by rhymesayers

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If this is your first time hearing about Iowa City producer Tack-Fu, then you’re about to embark on musical euphoria. When you take a listen to his latest EP with Canadian producer Mr. Moods called “Mr. Moods Meets Tack-Fu: In Good Hands” you’ll understand what we’re talking about. Tack-Fu has been in the hip hop game for a minute, forming the record label “Tack-Fu Productions” in 1997. Years later he formed an production company called 85 decibel Monks and began licensing his music for television and film. Tack-Fu’s music has been featured on MTV and he is continuing build his empire with his own TV show.

HipHopClub had the opportunity to interview Tack-Fu. He fills us in on his new EP, his latest accomplishments and he’s not letting the incident with his hard drive keep him from doing big things!

HipHopClub: With your new project, how excited are you about “Mister Moods Meets Tack Fu – In Good Hands EP”?

Tack-Fu: I think the release is an excellent addition to the Dusted Wax Kingdom catalog. Heck, I was excited the day I was invited to be on the roster! This is just gravy on the potatoes.

HipHopClub: What can listeners expect to hear when they listen to the “In Good Hands EP”?

Tack-Fu: The project is a great example of what I would call “Nu-Jazz”. What you get is bass line riffs and drum patterns based on a early to mid-90’s hip-hop flavor with a 2010 twist. The jazz influences are straight out’a the Blue Note discography. I did all of the mix downs and sequencing so elements of each style is unmistakably represented, as the tracks keep moving along, they incorporate more and more of each other. Not enough Jazz for the jazz cats, too much jazz for the hip-hop headz. Both fans of each genre are a picky bunch. I understand that fact.

HipHopClub: How did you connect with Mr. Moods to work on the EP?

Tack-Fu: I was drifting along, depressed and out of inspiration… my hard drive crashed, so much work lost, I couldn’t take it. It was early 2009 and I was in a funk. Thank goodness Mr. Moods came across the 85 decibel Monk myspace.com music page. He dug the way I put together tracks with other producers, he referred me to this net label called “Dusted Wax Kingdom”. So I checked it out, downloaded all of the artists on the label I could get my hands on, I really dug Mr. Moods the most. He was dark and heavy…but I knew he would be a good fit with my style. I pitched him the idea of an EP, he bit, and I sent him 12 drum and bass lines from the vault. (stuff that was saved) Once the collaborations started to trickle in over the next few months…all of the inspiration came back. It was like…I was back on the grind…8 hour studio sessions to perfect the mix. Back in the zone!

HipHopClub: Was the internet label Dusted Wax Kingdom responsible for all of the mania with the release of the project?

Tack-Fu: Dusted Wax is responsible. The artists on the label gave me inspiration again. I had to contribute and give the label my best.

HipHopClub: What is your inspiration when it comes to creating music?

Tack-Fu: I listen to Jazz. Some classical, but driving around in my ride? It’s stuck on jazz mode. I get inspiration from other musicians and producers I collaborate with also. They come up with riffs, throw things against the wall to see if it works, then I go back to the lab with their contributions. I call it production juice.

HipHopClub: How are you accepted by the music in the Midwest as a musician being from Iowa?

Tack-Fu: I think the novelty has worn off. I’ve always said it’s not where you are, it’s where you’re at. It means your state of mind. I’m from Iowa City, that’s advantage Tack-Fu! I’m exposed to bit of everything. The Midwest is like a music filter. Besides, I’ve been doing this for quite some time and I’ve achieved a nice amount of success licensing my music for television and film.

HipHopClub: Are there any highlight collaborations within your career?

Tack-Fu: Without a doubt the collaboration with DJ Vadim. That was a slam dunk.

HipHopClub: Can you describe your experience of working with rapper Slug from Atmosphere?

Tack-Fu: I’ve never worked with Slug, but we’ve ran into each other quite a few times at hip-hop conferences, swinging through Iowa City on tour, you know… just being on the scene back in the early to mid-2000’s. There really was a movement going on. Anyway, I threw some ideas out there for a featured guest 16 bars on a track type thing, what do you expect? I’m a producer! But, none of it panned out. But hey, it’s nice to see the level of success the whole Rhyme Sayers crew has achieved. They earned every bit of it.

HipHopClub: You also have a hip hop music video TV show on cable called 85 dB TV. Can you tell us about that?

Tack-Fu: That was therapy for me. I was so down in the dumps about my hard drive crashing and losing all of my material, I didn’t even want to touch any music equipment or recording devices. I plunged head first into a video production. I always wanted to do some sort of “Yo MTV Raps” type thing, except put my twisted humor in the mix and represent the independent movement, the underground vibe. After 16 episodes, I got it all out of my system, and I’m back to music production and working at a public access station covering community events. I get to create all day in both formats!

HipHopClub: Is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers to know?

Tack-Fu: My web site is located at: http://www.tackfu.com. I’m sure you’ll be entertained, or maybe you’ll learn something, who knows.

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If you could go to the Thesaurus and look up synonyms for the words Ruka Puff, more than likely you’ll get results like grind, hard worker, animated and perseverance. Chances are you’re not going to find his name in the Thesaurus but that’s the best way to describe Ruka’s talent. The entertainer from St. Louis is known all across the country for his identifiable voice and a hair-raising performance that is beyond compare. From traveling all over the country with his faction The Supreme Team, to his own reality series to working with other artists such as Mack 10, there is no doubt that Ruka Puff is the hardest working man in show biz.

HipHopClub journalist Marrio Gardner had the chance to ask Ruka a few questions so we can all learn about him and what he has going on. Though he didn’t have much to say it goes to show you that along with everything that he has accomplished, his actions speak louder than his words. True fans know that Ruka Puff only speaks his words louder when he’s on the mic.

HipHopClub: I have to be honest here. I have so many questions to ask but you do so much shit, I don’t even know where to begin! You are everywhere man. You truly are the hardest working artist in show business. Every time I go out, I see you everywhere. I don’t even have to be in St. Louis. I can be in one of the 34 Springfield’s in America at a Hip-Hop show and I’ll run into you there. How do you do it man?

Ruka Puff: By the grace of God. He gives me all the power, dedication and will.

HipHopClub: Can you tell us what your group The Supreme Team is all about and who it consists of?

Ruka Puff: We are now the black version of the movie 300 and it’s movement/family/label that’s basically ready to take on the world with only a small group; Bigga Brown, GB44 (free 44) Statik Blakk, Lou Cipha and more.

HipHopClub: You recently had a film series called “Grind or Die”. Can you tell us about that?

Ruka Puff: Grind or Die is basically a hood musical. I call it a ghetto version of High School Musical.

HipHopClub: There’s a buzz online about the joint you did with Toilet Water called “Kiss My Ass”. Can you explain what the song is about?

Ruka Puff: Self explanatory; If I run out of gas and you don’t help, kiss my ass!

HipHopClub: You’re also on tour with Toilet Water. What can fans expect from The Gunz & Rosez tour?

Ruka Puff: Electricity and the greatest show on Earth. Hip Hop mixed with Rock and Funk Gumbo.

HipHopClub: You also did a song and music video with Mack 10 called “Like This”. Can you tell us about how the song spread like wildfire?

Ruka Puff: My big brother Mack put me on the record. We rocked in the West Coast and the rest is history.

HipHopClub: From your old releases like “Escaped: Off The Chains” until now, what have you learned about the music world altogether?

Ruka Puff: Keep good people around you and be out of the box, not in it… no disrespect.

HipHopClub: [laughs] None taken! People often compare you to Bonecrusher. Do you think that the critics have your whole image misconstrued?

Ruka Puff: The only thing that’s the same about us is we are both fat bar-for-bar. He can’t fuck with me [laughs]

HipHopClub: Is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers to know?

Ruka Puff: I will not stop even if God takes me, you will never forget me. My next album, “I’m a Starr 4ever” will be coming soon and Gunz and Rozez on iTunes is available right now. Thank you!

For more on Ruka Puff check out http://www.rukapuff.com and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rukapuff

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