The
Urban Music Awards ceremony was launched in the UK, France, Germany, and
Amsterdam with plans to expand to Asia, US and Africa. The Urban Music Awards
was born out of the need to build a worldwide and independent awards ceremony to
recognise the achievement of urban based artists, producers, club nights, DJ’s,
radio stations, record labels and artist that are or were previously
unrecognised within their country of origin and are a product of the current
Underground Dance/R&B, Hip hop, Neo Soul, Jazz, Grime, Garage and D&B music
scene. Last night we witnessed performances from Nathan, Lauren Tilly and the one and only Coolio. Well deserved nominees Akala, Doctor, Soundbwoy, Omar and UKMusic.com all became winners with the legendary Jazzie B who won the Lifetime Achievement Award. While he accepted his award he expressed “the need to become a community and stop the nonsense" which was greeted with healthy applause. The comedic hosts of the evening were Ras Kwame [1Xtra and Channel U] and Kelle Bryan [of girl group Eternal].
There were many celebrities and artists that dotted the evening including Aml Ameen [The Bill], Baby Blue, Pyrelli, Jocelyn Jee Esien [Little Miss Jocelyn], Matthew Knowles [Beyonce's manager and father] and Zena [ex-Misteeq member]. Zena said, “I've had a brilliant time. It's wicked that it solely represents UK music. Urban music isn't getting recognised as much as it should be and there are so many talented people out here." Among the others hanging around in the press room were the Big Brother girls, Makosi, Aisleyne and Vanessa. Vanessa said, “I presented an award last year as well and had an even better time this year. We need more events like this to recognise the talent in the UK and give them more opportunities."
The primary reason of the Urban Music Awards is to get people together and show that Urban music is not dead and we have some talent of our own in the UK. Maybe it wasn't as flash as something like the MTV Music Awards but that's not the point. The point is that we're doing something to better ourselves and are showing people that artists in and around these genres should be looked at seriously, and not just be stereotyped as youths in hooded sweatshirts that will rob you at gun point.
www.urbanmusicawards.net
By Rashmi Shastri - Nov 2006