The votes are in and counted (#nohangingchads), and Saturday night at House of Blues, the winners of 22 separate categories will be announced at the second-annual New Orleans Underground Hip-Hop Awards. The awards celebrate not only the individual achievements of the rappers, producers, DJs, singers, videographers, bloggers, and business-minded hustlers nominated, but also the vitality of the lively and diverse New Orleans local hip-hop community.
Lifetime Achievement winners Partners-n-Crime. Photo by Aubrey Edwards.
Between the awards presentation there will be performances from Partners-N-Crime and UNLV—their first on-stage performance together since their famous beef in the mid-’90s—and nominees The Show (hottest lyricist), Dappa (hottest mixtape), Allie Baby (hottest female artist), Da U Boys (hottest group), and many more surprise guests.
In addition to the public- and panel-voted awards, lifetime achievement awards will be presented to Gregory D, Mannie Fresh, Mia-X, UNLV, Partners-N-Crime, C-Murder, and Will Horton. Mannie Fresh and Mia-X pioneered one of New Orleans’ earliest hip-hop crews, New York Inc., in the mid-’80s. Gregory D was a member of the Ninja Crew in the mid-’80s, releasing the city’s first true hip-hop record. All three went on to major labels and big hits later in their careers. UNLV and Partners-N-Crime were two of the most popular hip-hop group in the golden era of mid-’90s rap in New Orleans, and Partners-N-Crime are still active releasing songs and playing shows today. C-Murder was one of the biggest artists in the city before being incarcerated, and Will Horton is an influential film director, writer, and teacher who directed many local hip-hop music videos of the ’90s and on.
Awards will also be presented in remembrance of the valued members of the hip-hop community who passed away in the last year: rappers Magnolia Shorty, Tim Smooth, Tre-8, and Mr. Harvey, and radio personality A.J. Appleberry.
The red carpet rolls out at 6 p.m. for entry, with the awards show beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets are available online for $23 until 6 p.m. Saturday.
