X-Clan reunion highlights hip-hop awards
Paradise the Arkitech
Last year, the Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards went head to head against the Grammys at the Pittsburgh Hilton.
This year, the fourth annual event, presented by 360 Entertainment and again at the Hilton, will be a party on the eve of the Super Bowl with performances and awards in 35 categories.
The highlight will be a reunion of the X-Clan, marking the 20th anniversary of the Brooklyn crew, which features Pittsburgh-based artist/activist/producer Paradise Gray, aka Paradise the Arkitech. There will also be performances by Boaz, Jasiri X, Common Wealth Family and Da Sinate, among others.
This year, marketing company Block Starz Music will present the PHHA winner of “Mixtape of the Year” with a promotional package worth more than $2,000.
The red carpet is at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by the show at 8. Tickets are $20 advance. Go to www. pittsburghhiphopawards.com.
Here are the nominees in the performance categories:
CD of the Year: “Disco Lemonade,” Common Wealth Family; “Vintage,” YD; “Certified,” F Block; “Deal or No Deal,” Wiz Khalifa; “Audiobiography,” Boaz; “American History X,” Jasiri X; “The Atlanta Project,” Nova”; “High Life,” Mac Miller.
Single of the Year: “Statement,” Like; “Well Got Damn,” Hardcore; “Hustler,” Boaz; “Homewood Movement,” Tada Salad; “Dear Debra,” Jasiri X; “Press,” Please; “Rollin Witta Star,” Common Wealth Family; “Wham,” Mr. Rogers Ft. Freeze.
Best Duo or Group: Formula 412, Burghtown, Apex, Piff Boyz, Da Sinate, Most Wanted F Mob, Justuce Street Poets, Keystone Kyngz, U.P.S, Bully Ent, Common Wealth Family
Best Male Artist: S. Money, Joe Beast, Boaz, Wiz Khalifa, Jasiri X, 2kraze, Big Lyfe, YD, B Brixx, Kev Da Hustler.
Best Female Artist: Nina Ross, Lady Homi, Kellee Maize, Sash Mead, Donnis, Kizzi, Red Eye, Hollywood, Lovely.
Best New Artist/Group: SS, GMG, Jayvon, E Dot, Lil Brucey, Alumni, Str 8 Money Ent, Looney, Kemikal
Best Male Singer: Gene Stovall, Manny, Hutch, Hakeem Rasheed, Ambition, Vinnie Vocals, Ira Soul, Ez the Rockstar, Stevie B, LT.
Best Female Singer: Angee Gonzalez, Nadia Soul, Margot B, Dell Saunders, J’Aira, Marcelago, Alexandria The Songtress, Bianca Atterberry, Mona.
Producer of the Year: Young Hott, Juliano, Sledgren, Mindbender, Black Czer, James Webb, Mysterious, Cynik Lethal, Big Jus -Bully Ent, Big Jerm
Underground Artist of the Year: Living Proofe, Money Sl, Tjuan, Jon Quest, Furious Styles, Divine Seven, Gambino, Vaig, Common Wealth Family, Joey Fatts.
Mover and Shaker Award: Chris Schizo Hoye, DJ Goodnight, Sage Berlin, Kristen K Mo Gasdick, Ivory the Human Hustle, John Mista Scrap Wilson, Orlana Darkins, Emmai Alaquiva, Slim/Hater Magnet, Cordell Collins.
B Boy/B Girl/Dance Group of the Year: Naka Ent, Caution Crew, Pittsburgh Heat, Ambition.
Lyricist of the Year: Masai (Formula 412), Boaz, YD, Jasiri X, Wiz Khalifa, Living Proof, 2GZ, Big Lyfe, Pook, Jon Quest.
Battle Emcee of the Year: Anymal, Real Deal, Basket Case, Ajaxx, Boka, Mista Scrap.
Mixtape of the Year: S. Money, “D Boy 3”; Pyrex, “Cash Cow”; B Brixx, “Neighborhood Heroes”; J Haze, “King of Da City”; Playbizzle, “Da Greatest”; Beedie, “Most Slept On”; Wiz Khalifa, “Flight School”; Alley Mob, “Bring Back That Burgundy”; Squirm Nitti, “Hurricane Ike.”
Mixtape DJ of the Year: DJ Shef, Fast Eddie Productions, DJ Bchenk, DJ Nitro & DJ Plan B, DJ Schizo, DJ Schemes.
Best Hip Hop Video: Boaz, “Steel City”; Common Wealth Family, “Star Song”; Good Company, “Good”; Jasiri X, “Dear Debra”; Da Sinate, “New Money”; Mac Miller, “Live Free”; Kev Tha Hustler, “Heavy Hustle Boss”; F Block, “Grindin”; Living Proof, “Wake Up World”; Stevie B, “Burgtown.”
Best Inspirational Artist: Travis Malloy, Jasiri X, Curtis Lewis Jr., Brady Hill, Mele Mel, Team Excellence.
Club DJ of the Year: GQ, Bonics, Noetik 5000, Matt G, Rok & Shorty D, Schizo, Schemes, Tee Jay, Assassin, Nugget.
— Scott Mervis: smervis@post-gazette.com; 412-263-2576.
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