Digging Into The SDMA’s: Nominations and Intro

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Although I respect your opinion, I don’t think energy should be placed on criticizing artists and nominees — the REAL focus should be placed on the system and the fact that UNTIL the SDMAs put someone on the board from Access Hip-Hop or Armory or one of the local hip-hop stations that support local artists, the nominees will continue to reflect artists who play and crossover into the rock scene. The board nominates based on what they know (it’s as simple as that!) — so more heat should go into changing who makes up the committee of “experts” so that it is more inclusive of the local hip-hop scene — not by tearing down artists just trying to do their thing and express themselves creatively. But that’s just my two cents!

“the system and the fact that UNTIL the SDMAs put someone on the board from Access Hip-Hop or Armory or one of the local hip-hop stations that support local artists, the nominees will continue to reflect artists who play and crossover into the rock scene. The board nominates based on what they know (it’s as simple as that!) — so more heat should go into changing who makes up the committee of “experts” so that it is more inclusive of the local hip-hop scene”

^
this is basically exactly what i was about to say…

It’s been the exact same shit in St Louis for years–the local “alternative weekly” does a Music Awards every year, and every year the hip hop nominations are fatally flawed. The music editors there, who make up the nominations, (and I’m assuming at the Reader as well) are good people who are interested in hip hop, but not invested. They enjoy a lot of the local hip hop acts, but do not have a well-rounded understanding of the scene.

The bottom line is if these folks are not well-versed and active in the hip hop scene, they are just going off what they are made aware of–mainly the crossover acts, and the media/marketing-savvy artists who know how to stay in touch with journalists and keep them aware of their moves.

why hasn’t ADDIQUIT won yet? Seriously some next level shit…

No disrespect to MC Flow…she fills a niche market, she has a very enjoyable live show, and she manages to keep her name out there (which, let’s be honest, is the biggest step in winning the best hip-hop award at the SDMAs). She may not fit very many of the die-hard B-boys definitions of what hip-hop is, but there’s no arguing that she IS in fact hip-hop. My advice to people that are angry about her winning is to step your game up. Market yourselves. Put YOUR shows in the public eye and do YOUR thing.

One of my observations about the whole MC Flow dynasty is that San Diego music folks like stuff that stands out from the crowd. Generic doesn’t cut it. We’re talking about a music scene that embraced 3 Mile Pilot, Heavy Vegetable, Creedle, and Black Heart Procession. We like different. The last thing I see SDMA judges voting for is some burnt out generic backpacker boom-bap or some (no disrespect to Mitchy) played out gangsta rap. MC Flow stands out from the pack. She’s something you don’t hear every day. She puts on a great live show with lots of energy. She has dedicated fans. There’s no denying that the other artists that are up for the award often don’t match up even on paper to those qualities.

However, this year I’m backing Vokab Kompany for both categories. These guys are getting sniffs from major labels as we speak, and had nation-wide exposure through one of their tracks being used in a KIA commercial. They’re touring up and down the western US (Nevada, Arizona, Cali, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, etc). They have two dope emcees and a full live backing band (guitar, drums, bass, violin, keys). If you’ve ever seen their live show, you’ll know that the crowd gets hype. There’s no denying that they’re on the move and may be getting some national attention soon. Their album, “The New Kong” is full of dope tracks, with maybe one or two misses or cheeseball tracks. They have Lateef The Truth Speaker guesting on a track, along with a handful of other dope emcees. They have crossover appeal with some funk/electro tracks. All in all, I can’t see anyone out there beating them if the judges give ‘em an honest listen.

“There’s no denying that the other artists that are up for the award often don’t match up even on paper to those qualities.”

I completely disagree with that statement, just saying, but I can agree that negativety towards others is childish and uneccesary. It’s textbook JEALOUSY, weather admited or not, which is one of the weakest emotions you can project.

The Nominees are picked based upon who is in the ear of the commitee, and there is an actual formal submission process for consideration in the ” Best Album Categories”, that most choose to ignore, cause they don’t see the SMDA’s having any credability towards Hip Hop, but why complain about it, if you don’t regocnize the validity of it or follow the submission guidelines, if you miss a court date, you get a warrant, it’s that the judges fault?

Another thing that I can’t understand with some peoploe is that you can’t “Fight against the System” and then get vexed when the system doesn’t recognize you. Insurgents will always get adversity.

last year, i should not have been nominated at all, and I actually was qouted saying that in the SD Reader, but this year weather I deserve it or not in the eyes of some, I know I busted my ass making my debut record, worked my own deals, and reached far beyond San Diego with my Music, so not only am I proud of my album, but I can say that I am proud of both of my nominations this year. Do I question the valadity of the SDMA’s handling of Hip Hop, Absolutely….but I am not going the question the valadity of the artist themselves.

but once again, the San Diego Music Foundation failed to reach out to the community for some inside insight, but I thruthfully believe that is because there is not many hands being extended out to them, only clenched fist. It’s a communication failure, and until that can be resolved nothing is going to change, I even have reached out numerous times to the SDMF but don’t get much attentiveness, and it’s not for my own benefit, it’s so that there is some sort of mediation going in with the process due to the obvious cultural differenece. Hip Hop is getting left behind in San Diego ultimately.

Vokab Kompany are great friends of mine, and I can honestly say they will most likely take both categories, and I they deserve it…for real, I have watched them sky rocket in the past few years.

I may not have gotten my point across very clearly, mostly because I was a little conflicted about what exactly I wanted to say. My apologies.

I criticize Flow not for the sake of picking on one particular artist but for illustrating how bogus I believe the SDMAs to be. A number of the artists and albums chosen may or may not be great choices. The truth is, I haven’t listened to the majority of them and this ongoing Feature project is a means of forcing myself to listen to it all to give the SDMAs a fair shot. But I’ve listened to Flow and given her more attention than I would any other rapper that I don’t like. I was really trying to “get” it on numerous occasions but to no avail. She’s a bad rapper. The fact that the SDMAs would award her with “Best Hip Hop” three years in a row is an egregious error. The fact that they pay no attention to someone like Mitchy Slick, the biggest rapper in SD, shows how out of touch they are.

But Flow’s right in that my writing should’ve been more focused on the process and the “experts,” which is where my main issue is. A number of you have talked about how the experts that make up the selection committee only hear what is made available to them and that the selections reflect that. But see, that’s not good enough. In an environment of independent artists lacking publicists, who’s job is it to bridge the gap between the media and the artists? I think it’s the job of the media.

If these are figures in the media–journalists, even–they have a responsibility to go out and find the music. Right now, it seems as though they’re only taking what’s handed to them in their laps. Every year, people get pissed off about the SDMAs and these experts still don’t take the hint that maybe they need to verse themselves in the local music community a little bit more. With the Internet, it’s easier than ever to find local music. And they’re still not even putting in that effort. But then, this is all speculation.

The point of this ongoing Feature is: 1. to hear new music; 2. to discover what sorts of biases, if any at all even, the SDMA committee holds. I’m trying to answer those questions I posed: what criteria does the SDMA committee use to judge music? How does it choose the nominees? And further: are their selections valid? I’m leaving it open because I don’t want to jump to conclusions based on the assumptions I have. Hopefully, we can figure something out from all of this.

Hey i’d like to interest you all in a brand new television station that’s been playing some awesome music for all you young hipsters and kids…. MTV! Fuck yea bro!

That is my opinion on the current state of the SDMA’s and your mom disguised as a chinchilla.

Seacrest out

Hahaha…what’s up Ridley? Did MTV start playin’ music again? Damn…the 80′s really ARE back!

It’s all well and good that you want to discover new music and blog about biases at the SDMAs but if you really want to see change, you have to take action beyond your keyboard.

1. Start a write-in campaign for Mitchy Slick, encouraging all local fans to vote for him. The SDMAs includes write-ins for a reason; if you get enough votes, you will win.

2. Create an online petition demanding that you or someone else from the local scene (hopefully more than one person) be added to the committee. Get everyone you know to sign it and present it to the SDMA committee.

3. Picket outside the SDMA’s with some sort of visible message that hip-hop is not included/respected as it should be at the awards.

4. Create an additional petition that PERFORMERS at the SDMAs reflect the hip-hop community as well ( have you seen the performers for this year? LAME!)

I work a non-profit job in a grass-roots community hell bent on equality. If we just sat around blogging all day about all the homophobic politicians we hate, how would that change anything? Instead we empower ourselves and put LGBT people into office to create change.

Believe me — I couldn’t give a fuck what you say about my music/skill. In my 6 years of doing this, I have heard EVERYTHING from the greatest praise from some of my musical idols to the nastiest insults. The only place I draw the line is with threats, as I have recieved threats of physical violence over these awards, which I find both scary and sad. But the truth of the matter is that nothing is going to change without ACTION. If you just want to sit at your computer and click click click away, you may as well just put your tails between your legs and keep on typing. Nothing will change.

Wow Abby…that’s just sad. I can’t believe someone would take it to that point. People are more ready and willing to spend time on negativity than on actually doing something to change things. Imagine if they put the amount of creativity and effort into actually making a difference instead of just trying to threaten and intimidate their way through.

Respect to you for sticking to your guns. I could tell you were the type way back when with the SD Hip-Hop Community (remember Madcat’s garage?). I’m glad you don’t take any crap.

@Jukebox — of course I remember Madcat’s garage! If it weren’t for that Community group, I might never have gained the confidence to get out there and do music for real. True and some of the other MCs from that time are still some of my favorite MCs in San Diego. I still have posters from some of our first shows — good times! And madcat still pops up at my shows now and again. Hope all’s well with you!

“People are more ready and willing to spend time on negativity than on actually doing something to change things.”

AMEN, I have been saying that for 3 years.

@Abby -
Indeed. Madcat had a lasting effect through that group. Respect where respect is due. Maybe our shows weren’t always the biggest draws, but there are positives that came from it.
I’m doing well, though I’m not producing any more. Since my daughter was born, I’ve been sticking to visual art (can’t find the time to focus on music the way that it requires). Good to see you gaining such success. I remember how nervous/timid you were back in the day – you’ve come a VERY long way!

This converstation has been going on for so long. Unite and the Roundtable crew have some great stories about the SDMAs. I agree with MC Flow, action is required. Its not her fault that she was nominated. However, criticism of her (and any other nomination) is part of the discussion and always will be.

I nominate Quan Vu for committee.

I dont think any rappers should be on the committee.

As lame as they seem, petitions can be effective. Especially to a group like SDMAs.

I am so down to picket the SDMAs.

I feel like the hip hop community in Dago has never been fully visible or articulate enough to get through to overall music scene in this town. Its really unfortunate because San Diego has always had a huge music scene. If you look at our local publications (City beat, the Reader) hip hop is basically non-existent. Quite frankly, I feel that the hip hop categories that we do have is just them throwing us a bone.

I dont know, it feels like your saying we should protest and sign a petition to prevent her from getting nominated. I just can’t get that involved. I’m over it, good luck to everyone. I hope Jimmy wins

In my eyes, my nomination belongs to Mr. Ridley, Verbz, Blame One, Jaywat @ Virtuous Studios, Corina Rose, Big Left, DJ Sinn, DJ Marcellus Wallace, Matlock, & 3ntra-P, Ross McDowell and Myself….Yes, I was the vessell for it but I believe that all whom contributed in the creation of my music should be recognized, cause you can’t do anything yourself.

I agree with taking action to try to get a ” Voice for us”, or atleast someone with knowledge they can consult with.

both the SD reader and the CityBeat have recently started to pay attention to the scene a bit more….but I do agree with Quan, that the media should be seeking out the artist, not vice versa.

Peter Hoslin whom is the new music editor for the City Beat has been very receptive to us since he took the post in early June. I see good things coming from him in the future.

Also Tim Pyles has become a huge ally for us.

ADAMNT says I dont know, it feels like your saying we should protest and sign a petition to prevent her from getting nominated. I just can’t get that involved. I’m over it, good luck to everyone. I hope Jimmy wins

Actually, I’m saying that we should picket and petition to gain some sort of an actual voice. I’m not hating on MC Flow, shes on her grind. I get it, she’s visible.

Everybody always says: “that sucks but I’m over it already”. Then the next year we have the same conversation. Fuck that, I wanna see Scatterbrain and Skrapez get nominated (among others).

For me whats more important is focusing on what I have do, I cant be too concerned with it anymore. I prolly should have not said anything to begain with. I made the mistake in doing that.

Right now whats more important to me is trying to find more spots to Dj, working on new music with my brethren. With that said, yes Skrapez, Scatterbrain, Anti Citizens, Dj Shag, Old English, Blame One, Gonja Sufi, Orko, you (Stuntdouble) and many many others deserve to be recognized hopefully you/they will.

oh ya and What up doot you should come on Earthbound in Sept or something. I dont think anything booked for Sept yet.

I’m down! Lets have a beer tonight at Ken club. Good lookin out, Adamnt.

Congrats to all the nominees and big ups to those who weren’t nominated, but still put in that work to deserve a nomination. Big ups to the entire SD Hip Hop scene!!!

Positive steps with positive people is the new cool. Hope to toast a beer with y’all soon. Cheers!!

I fail, how the hell did I forget Gonjasufi? His album blew up on a national level, although I think I remember reading that he’s in Vegas now and records in LA with Gaslamp Killer . Not sure if he would fit into “San Diego music” anymore. Anyone know more info on Gonjasufi’s whereabouts these days?

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