OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE LOCAL SCENE LVMA AWARDS NEED CHANGE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY JAKE HAZE

I was gunna write on this subject as you see on my facebook how im bitching about the nominations being wrong for the lvma,s. People realy need to open there eyes up to the local scene theres so many artist going unotices cus nobody is repping the local scene any more besides us here at east coast underground only dastashbox and rapforver.com are the only ones repping locally, even the local papers like merge and pulse weekly who once reviewed local emcees and musicans now only show adds. So though sites like the above we need the make a chance but im stop rambling cus jake haze broke this story up nicley on da stash box so read listen and start real supporting your local scene




So, You're voting for the Lehigh Valley Music Awards...(Must Read)

written by jake haze.

What is up everyone. This past Wednesday (Aug 25th), The Lehigh valley Music Awards rolled out its nomination list, based on the amount on votes given. This year brought a record amount of voters to this event, IMO, in part thanks to the rising awareness of this event in the urban community. Well, let's get straight to the point. I am not a board member or judge of the LVMA's or anything. I'm just a regular joe who does not-so-regular things once in a while. One of those things is hip-hop, thats's what I do, and what I will be focusing on here, the categories that matter to YOU (Da Stash Box audience). What I'm gonna try and do is let you be the judge, by presenting your nominees, and their work, so as to make your vote an informed and truly deserving one. One complaint I have received is that the nomination ballots are off. Me, personally being nominated for 3 LVMA's, feel that I deserved mines (But, really, is there anyone who can contend that?), others felt that the ones deserving were not rewarded, and that many people got on the ballot on the strength of internet friendships and not actual talent or merit, IE, people who put put the time and effort didn't get nominated over ones who quickly rushed in to nominate themselves, to which I can somewhat agree on certain levels. So without further hoopla, these are your categories and why you should vote for them!
Best Music Videographer
Sam Younes
Redlight Productions
Rocky Urich Prouctions
Miguel "Reg" Torres
Daniell Lubene
Lisa Koza Productions
Joe "JB" Balshi
This category baffled me. I see alot of good talent on it, like Red or R.E.G., or Joe Balshi, but where is Joshua Ramirez for Rapforever Media? He directed his ass off this past year for the likes of Boogie V, Joe Stylez, Liquid Ent, Phillup Banks, Adlib and waaaaaaaaaaaaay more. If you guys can get a chance, write him in, or take a look at his work yourself. Just Google any of these nominees names in and check out their work. After then, your choice should be clear.
Best Female Vocalist
Caren Kennedy
Connie Edinger
Kelly Planner
Christine P. Bainbridge
Moe Jerrant
Becca Heller
Bev Conklin
Allie Santos
Mary Kirk Dunbar
Nikolette Palar
Hannah Graser
Many of you have no idea who any of these wonderful females are, but you will. If anyone deserves this nod, it's the talented Allie Santos, who made a splash at the Lehigh Valley Music Conference, and has had a steady stream at performances (notably, Big Money Management's comedy nights @ woodys..).
Best Male Vocalist
Scott Free (Howell)
Tim Harakal
Scott McDonald
Alex Kristof
Chris Yando
King Magnetic
Anothy Zucherro
Red
Chris Murphy
Tyler Grady
Uh oh, here starts the drama. King Magnetic and Red. In the same category. best male vocal--wha? huh? Wait a second, those two don't sing (aka vocalize), they rap. So how are they on that "Vocalist" ballot? Moving on...
Best New Artist/Band
PeaceKeeper
Jake Haze
Only Human Band
Damn Dirty Apes
Hannah Graser
Scott Pine & Conifers
The Feens
Wailing Waters
Trip Frogg
One Cat Left
The Block
It's me vs a whole bunch of others. Of note however i'm up against The Feens, Damn Dirty Apes & Peacekeeper.My Vote's going to that Jake Haze guy. He's always on some show, on some song, on some website, on some interview on something. Hehe
Best Valley Club DJ
DeeJay Sweet Life
J.J. Sands
Buttacall Ed
Samantha Lane
Rich Michaels
Brother Joel
DJ Cyn
J. Miguel
Cap Cee
Anyone who's partied in this town, knows your DJs. Buttaball Ed, DJ Cyn & Cap Cee made the cut, which is deserving, but where is DJ Menace? it's anyone's vote in this category, but if you can't agree on one, feel free to type DJ Menace's name in the ballot.
Best R&B
Allie Santos
Doug Hawk
Frederick Douglas
Paula Brion
Jenny Beltran
Paula Brion, Jenny Beltran & Allie Santos, very hard category. They've all performed widely in this area, so take a pick of your favorite.
Best Local Music Video
This Category is write in only
Write in, Eh? Well in that case, here's a couple videos for you to consider:
Adlib - Bum Rush
Phillup Banks- Man In The Mirror
Truck - The Anthem
Tug McRaw - Like Nobody
Young Trouble - Hottest In The Hood
LPerfex - We Are One
Red Mcfly - Where Is My Mind
Those are just a few, look in our video section to see if you see anything else you like.
Most Supportive LV Music Venue
Lupo's
PigPens Sports Bar and Grill
Louie's Italian Restaurant
Leather Corner Post
Grumpy's BBQ Roadhouse
Godfrey Daniels
Banana Factory
Garfield Hotel
Listen Live Music
Emmaus Firehouse #1
Pitcher's Sports Bar
Mezza Luna
Anyone who does Hip-Hop in the valley knows about our infamous venue problem.....nobody wants us there, and I've had experiences with many of the venues listed, so IMO Banana Factory or Pitchers. Pig Pen gives excuses upon excuses to not let urban performers (who arent't famous) perform even a 10 minute set, and the rest, well, they simply don't want hip-hop. Which is cool, to each his own. but if you're a hip-hop artist or fan, then the choice should be between Banana Factory or Pitchers.
Best HipHop/Urban
King Magnetic
Jewlz
Kidd Fresh
Jake Haze
Urban Sky
Red
Initial
H8trid
Hank Tate
Joe Stylez
Oh Man. The main event. The throwdown. So many artists, and only one can walk away with the prize. King Mag, Red, Me (Jake Haze), H8trid, Joe Stylez, & Jewlz in my opinion are the stronger candidates. Nothing against Urban Sky, Kidd Fresh, Hank Tate, and Initial, but they've been off the radar for too long, quite honestly only hearing a handful of songs by Initial, Only knew of Kidd Fresh as a DJ (I heard ONE song from him, which hardly merits a nomination nod) and not to mention, I had no idea who Urban Sky & Hank Tate were before I saw their names on this ballot, and one of them, I still don't. Your best bet? Google them. Then decide
And that's it. I figured these are the categories that are relevant to my core audience. Remember, people, that the fine people running the Lehigh Valley Music Awards are regular people like you and me with their own lives and occupations. Their schedules are full, and I've had the pleasure of saying I've seen these people work hard to bring involvment and music awareness and education to the community. If you do not like the nominees on the ballot and feel someone else is deserving of a nod,WRITE THEM IN! People have won from write-ins. Every category has a write in spot!
Quite simply put: If you don't like the ballots, or nominations, do something about it. Don't just bitch on facebook and complain about the next man's fortunes. Do Something. Artists, submit your music, make it readily available to the public (aka Internet, man, we're in 2010, itunes makes up 25% of the music sales and rising, CD is dying, get with the program), nominate yourself and make sure you tell people to nominate you, and show them why you should be nominated. Do not wait for anyone to nominate you, be the movement.
Volunteer. I am sure Gloria & Bruce would welcome an extra pair of reliable hands. Understand, that they might not have the time to screen and research the nominees, they go by votes, so do something about it if you don't like it. Get involved.
Visit the official site:
Lehigh Valley Music Awards