J-SCRILLA on the DMV Awards
1:22 PM
•
inner loop dmv awards hip-hop awards brother maniac
•
26
comments
Earlier today, on twitter (@ScrillaVentura) I went into a bit of a frenzy about the DMV Awards. Shortly after my little rant and light hearted jabs I spoke to a DMV Award panelist. We had a good conversation and I got some insight into what they're doing and I let that person know my thoughts. Let me say this…I agree that an award show for the area is cool and it’s a good way to get everyone in the area together at the end of the year to celebrate the area’s rising and established artists. But, I do not agree with certain tangibles that go into these particular awards. [Note: I made a similar rant last year on twitter and probably wrote a similar blog post. De Ja Vu BITCHES.]
First off, the nominees having to pay to get in is blasphemy. I understand that it costs a lot of money to throw the awards. But, as someone who has been in promotions for over 10 years I have to say that I don’t agree with this idea at all. The thought process is the same as paying to perform, which I’ve never been associated or agreed with. If you are going to use the DMV hip-hop scene as your platform to throw this award show then you have to allow these artists (who are a big part of the draw) in for free. Now, there’s roughly 30 categories and 7 artists nominated in each subsequent category , so that’s about 200 people getting in for free (some people will have multiple nominations) so at $25/ticket that’s $5000 that the door would lose. But, if those artists didn’t show up then you would make zero dollars. Look at it as it is. That $5000 hit is like booking Jadakiss for your club. You book Jadakiss to draw people to make $15,000. Same concept here. You are using the scene to advance your name and put money in your pockets. The responsible solution is to let all nominees in for free and make the money off of the door and sponsors. If you feel that the $5000 hit is going to be too damaging then get the appropriate sponsorship to cover the costs or just accept the hit. I’ve thrown many parties and events where I lost a lot of money building the party up the first few weeks/months, but if you keep making it better and better then more money and sponsors will roll in to support. [Note: I was nominated for Producer Of The Year last year and didn’t attend because they wanted to charge me.]
Secondly, certain people are being left off of the nominations that are very deserving. Example, Oddisee. He not only should be recognized with his group Diamond District as Album Of The Year, but also as Producer Of The Year. Team Demo, Judah, BKS, J-Buttah, myself and some others who had self-produced albums, national and local placements, etc. should be honorable mention. Oddisee will make many national and international lists for these aforementionaed categories but not the DMV? To quote DJ Quicksilva “WhereTheyDoThatAt!????”
Thirdly, if you are going to throw an awards show then labels like Topp Dogg, BeamUp, 368, Studio 43, Inner Loop, midiEast, Low Budget, Target Squad, etc should have some input considering those labels are foot deep in the scene. As I expressed to the phone caller from the committee, “How do you have 20 panelists that don’t mention Oddisee?” I mean really. Not to jock dude or dickride, but if his name isn’t mentioned then those panelists are suspect to me. That’s just one example. I don’t know who the nominees are but I know that he wasn’t nominated. If some of the above labels were asked for their input they surely would have made the case for Oddisee and I’m sure others. I just don’t think all of the panelists were worthy to deem who the best is.
To be fair the panelist told me that they didn't include some of these labels and others because they didn't want people screaming "favoritism" or anything. I see their side, but there has to be a happy medium. The people with their foot in the scene could help generate sponsorships (since they have relations,) generate buzz, appeal and add reinforcement to the awards.
Fourthly, I didn’t even know about the awards until today.
Finally, who am I? I’m just a dude with a beat machine and a computer. You don’t have to listen to me. I will support the awards so long as the nominees are able to get in for free. It’s only right in my eyes.
Please leave your comments and lets have a healthy debate about this.
