Uganda Hip Hop Awards Imminent

 

Uganda finally has its own Hip Hop awards just like any other Hip Hop industry around the world. Somebody is awake! The awards have been announced by the Tribe UG, a hip hop website run by two young entrepreneurial guys in Felix Byaruhanga and Mubanza Haggai.

The UG Hip-Hop Awards will serve to recognise the accomplishments of the Ugandan Recording Industry by celebrating groups and individuals who have excelled in the past year. The UG Hip-Hop Awards will be recognizing talent in 22 categories .

Byaruhanga, one of the organisers reiterates that the award  entries are now open until 15th September 2016.

"During this time, artistes will be required to submit any details, audio and video material to qualify for nomination in one or more categories. After which, entries received are then screened for compliance with the relevant rules, and to check whether such entries are entered in the correct categories. The purpose of this process, known as vetting, is to ensure that each entry is eligible, in the right category and is not at risk of disqualification.

 The UG Hip-Hop Awards panel will perform this function.  No artistic or technical judgments will be made about entries at this stage. The Panel adjudicates all the categories in the awards, with the exception of the Special Awards namely; Lifetime Achiever, Media personality of the year and Hustler of the year.  The Top 5 nominees per category will be announced on the 1st October 2016 via The Tribe UG website"

Here are the categories;

Male artist of the year

This award will go to a male artist whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, by its excellence, better than any other works by a solo male artist entered into the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Female artist of the year

This award will go to a female artist whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, by its excellence, better than any other works of a solo female artist entered into the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Rookie of the year

This award will go to the new artist whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, by its excellence, better than any other works by a debut artist or newcomer into the UG Hip-Hop Awards. A newcomer is a recent entrant in the industry whose arrival has made an impact. The nomination panel will determine who qualifies as a newcomer.

 

Inspirational song of the year

This category is for entry by artists who release a song that promotes positivity, social consciousness or spirituality.

Song of the year

This award will go to the artist or group whose entry is a song that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other song entered in the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

(The song must be from an album that was released within the prescribed period being 1st January 2015 - 30th June 2016 OR singles commercially released during the entry period being 1st January 2015 - 30th June 2016. A written proof of release date may be required)

Collaboration of the Year

This award will go to two or more hip-hop artists whose entry is a collaboration that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other collaboration entered in the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Rap Fusion of the Year

This award will go to a non-hip-hop artist whose entry is collaboration with a hip-hop artist that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other rap fusion collaboration entered in the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Video of the year

This award will go to the artist or group whose entry is a music video that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other music video entered in the UG Hip-Hop Awards. (Please supply music video link).

Best Producer

This category is awarded to a producer who has produced a recording of music by an artist who is eligible for entry to the UG Hip-Hop Awards and is judged on the following criteria:

 

• Musicality
• Audio quality
• Cohesion
• Interpretation
• Creativity
• Entertainment Value

 

Diaspora Artist of the year

This award will go to an artist recording and staying in the diaspora whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other works by an artist entered into the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Eastern Uganda artist of the year

This award will go to an artist recording and living in the eastern region of Uganda whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other works by an artist entered into the  UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Northern Uganda artist of the year

This award will go to an artist recording and living in the northern region of Uganda whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other works by an artist entered into the  UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Western Uganda artist of the year

This award will go to an artist recording and living in the western region of Uganda whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other works by an artist entered into the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Central Uganda artist of the year

This award will go to an artist recording and living in the central region of Uganda whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other works by an artist entered into the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Lyricist of the year

This award will go to an artist whose entry, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better in lyricism, word-craft and technical ability than any other works by an artist entered into the UG Hip-Hop Awards.

Hip-Hop Deejay of the year

This award will go to a DJ who contributed immensely to Ugandan Hip Hop during the eligible period, be it on radio, clubs or sessions.

 

 

 

 

Mixtape of the year

This award will go to an artist whose entry is that, in the opinion of the judges, by its excellence, better than any other mixtape of an artist entered into the UG Hip-Hop Awards. All mixtapes are judged on the following criteria:

• Popularity
• Quality
• Visibility
• Impact

 

Hip-Hop media personality of the year

This award will go to the artist, journalist or other media personality who contributed immensely to UG Hip Hop in the past 18 months.

Sweet Sixteen

This award will go to an artist who raps a verse which, in the opinion of the judges, is by its excellence, better than any other verse by an artist entered into the UG Hip-Hop Awards. Verses to be considered must be 12 bars or longer.

 

SPECIAL AWARDS

These categories are not open for entry.  The appointed UG Hip-Hop Awards panel will nominate the recipients.

Lifetime Achiever

The Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded by UG Hip-Hop Awards to deserving Ugandan artists/performers and personalities who, during their careers, have made significant contributions of lasting impact to the Ugandan hip-hop industry.

Hustler of the year

This award will be awarded by UG Hip-Hop Awards to deserving Ugandan artists/performers that have had major endorsements or any other brand building achievements acquired through Hip-Hop such as album sales, merchandise, TV/radio shows, events, charity engagements, etc.