It’s a warm humid Wednesday evening outside the picturesque famous north London music venue, the Roundhouse.. One of the most famous music venues in NW1 and the annual home of the ITunes Festival..The throng of fashionably attired music fans gearing up for the evening’s celebrations.
GRMDaily are one of the most popular and significant social media platforms reporting Urban Music culture and lifestyle in the UK; I met GRMDaily bossmen Posty and Pierre many years ago and was on a panel with Posty only last summer..
The show was hosted by Capital Xtra’s daytime DJ Manny Norte and BBC 1Xtra’s DJ Yasmin Evans to an electric atmosphere with every and anyone repping Grime and Hip Hop culture in the venue.
Skepta and BBK crew were in attendance and he was honoured with the prize for Best Video for ‘Man (Gang)’ on the night, accepiting his award with a humble speech and showing love and unity for the whole UK Urban music scene.
For a second year running, the best DJ category was won by BBC 1Xtra’s larger than life Hip Hop DJ Charlie Sloth. I’m proud to have known Sloth for many years and we’re both form the same part of London..and seen his meteoric rise from JumpOffTV comedy skits to arguably one of the most important DJ’s in UK music. His acceptance speech was also humbling and he dedicated the award to his radio predecessor and radio veteran Tim Westwood.
With what appears to be a refound affinity with street UK urban music; world famous RnB star Craig David has had a great year, along the way collabing with many of the hot artists currently on the music scene. He ran through some of his classic material and was joined onstage by Big Narstie to rapturous applause.
South London rapper, Giggs latest album ‘The Landlord’ has just debuted on the CIN UK Album charts at #2.. a huge achievement for an artist once signed to XL Recordings who’se album was released independently. He picked up the ‘Best Artist’ gong.
Watch the video of him shutting down the Rated Awards performing his single ‘Whippin Excursion’
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A timely and well deserved ‘Legacy’ award went to the Hip Hop radio guru of the UK, Tim Westwood.. Having spanned over 3 decades of Hip Hop radio from 80’s pirate radio LWR, to Capital radio in the early nineties, two decades at the BBC and ironically now back on Capital XTra. His speech was met with much love and favour by an approving audience.
A poignant chapter in the evening’s proceedings was a tribute by BBC 1Xtra and Atlantic Records A&R Twin B.. His business partner and friend, Richard Antwi passed away at the young age of just 38. Antwi was a music lawyer and an integral part of the fabric of the UK Urban music scene. from management, A&R to his legal practice. He has helped steer ang shape the careers on many household UK acts.
The album of the year prize went to East London MC, Kano.. This year saw him release his new album ‘Made In The Manor’ resulting in top 10 chart position and a nomination for the ‘Mercury Music’ prize, Here he is on stage joined by Virgin/EMI producer ‘Naughty Boy’.
The newcomer RnB artist Ray Blk had a very powerful performance of her current single ‘My Hood’ Feat Stormzy, which left the audience in complete awe.
Click the image below to watch her perform ‘My Hood’
A well executed awards ceremony, it was a total success, highlighting the journeys and achievements of what is a predominantly an independent UK Urban music scene.. The flag bearer for many years has just been the MOBO Awards but you could pinch yourself for not realising this was only the 2nd Rated Awards show and long may it continue.