Westword: Best of 2009 (Hip-Hop Edition)
Stop sleepin' Colorado! We're still here and we got plenty for you in the coming weeks, but lets start it off with the hot-off-the-press news, as we present you with the Westword's Best of Denver 2009 (Hip-Hop Edition)!
If you haven't seen, the Westword dropped their Best of Denver 2009 issue yesterday (Wed, March 25th). Before you get too critical, do know the issue is not based on just 2009 as a year, but is only labeled so due to its drop in 2009. According to Q (Quibian Salazar ( http://www.coloradohiphopblog.com/ ); Westword: Backbeat Blog, Rap-Up), the issue is dedicated to the best of the year since the last drop in March 2008. The Best of 2009 consists of awards for almost anything you can think in a number of categories but we've segregated the Best of 2009's that are dedicated to the Colorado hip-hop scene. Read the list!
(courtesy of Westword.com)
Best Hip-Hop Album
3 the Hardway, Set in Stone
Colorado rapper A.V.I.U.S., producer Es-Nine and DJ Cysko Rokwel each had their own thing going on before they came together as 3 the Hardway: Cysko Rokwel was taking out DJs nationwide in the DMC Championships; Es-Nine was producing for local and national artists; and A.V.I.U.S. had just dropped his solid debut album, Patience. But with... (Read More/Comment)
Best Hip-Hop Mixtape
The Pirate Signal, Of Gods and Gangsters, Vol. 1
For the fans who've played out the Pirate Signal's EP from 2006 like it was the only CD they owned, the duo's mixtape Of Gods and Gangsters, Vol. 1 was a breath of fresh air. The tape, entirely mixed by DJ A-What!, features Yonnas spittin' over original beats as well as beats used by... (Read More/Comment)
Best Hip-Hop Producer
Es-Nine
He's produced tracks for the likes of KRS-One, Dilated Peoples, Braille and Killah Priest, but that's not why people are talking about Es-Nine. His group, 3 the Hardway, recently released its debut album, Set in Stone, which was entirely produced by Es-Nine and features some of the... (Read More/Comment)
Best Hip-Hop Crew
L.I.F.E. Crew
The L.I.F.E. Crew is a small collective of Colorado hip-hop artists who blew the doors off the scene in the past year. First up, Ichiban won Best Hip-Hop Solo Artist at the 2008 Westword Music Showcase, then dropped a slammin' debut album, Psycle Analysis, a few months later... (Read More/Comment)
Best Rapper East of Colorado Boulevard
F.O.E.
While Jewell Tyme Music may be the best hip-hop label in Colorado, the star of the label has to be F.O.E. (Father of Enemies). Last year he dropped the excellent King of the Mountain mixtape, shined on the Music, Money, and Roundtables comp and kills every venue he's booked at. He's also been tapped by ManeLine, Diamond Boiz, Joe Thunder and other... (Read More/Comment)
Best Rapper West of Colorado Boulevard
Whygee
The curious case of Whygee: He's an unaffiliated Colorado hip-hop nomad who wanders all around the city but is mostly found near the center. His unique gruff voice is instantly recognizable and, with his thought-provoking and brash lyrical prowess, he's one of the best MCs in Colorado. He's proven this not only during his live show, but also on the excellent Suicide Watch EP, a collaboration with rapper Sunken State... (Read More/Comment)
Best New Hip-Hop Crew
The Food Chain
Even though the Food Chain doesn't have a MySpace page, website or even a logo, it's made a big enough impression through a collection of leaked tracks for us to take notice. The Chain consists of producers Mass Prod, MoHeat and Mic Coats, with contributions from Frank E. and... (Read More/Comment)
Best Homegrown Hip-Hop Hitmaker
Frank E
If you've listened to any hip-hop radio station in any major city recently, chances are you've heard some of Frank E's music — that's how big he's getting. He was the man behind the hit records "Please Excuse My Hands," from Plies featuring Jamie Foxx and the Dream; "Me & U," from Flo Rida; and a DJ Khaled/T-Pain mixtape joint called "Superman." He also co-produced one of the most played records so far this year... (Read More/Comment)
Best Online Hip-Hop Show
DJ Chonz on UStream.TV
Aside from the worldwide fame of Vajra and Cysko Rokwel, DJ Chonz is probably the most famous of his brethren in Denver. He's on KS-107.5 every day, offering live mixes to listeners as they drive home from work; he's rocked a party at almost every club in town; and the ladies absolutely love the guy. But he barely gets to share his love of music... (Read More/Comment)
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And there you have it! So until the next drop...
Just.One