About two weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the SECOND ANNUAL BEST IN DADE AWARDS hosted by Street Connect DJs. The show, held at SoBe Live in South Beach was the real deal honoring the BEST in Miami-Dade County's hip-hop and entertainment scene. For a full list of winners,
CLICK HERE.
More than just bringing together Miami-Dade's rising stars, the Award Show proves that Miami's local scene is very much alive and teeming with untapped talent. SoBe Live, South Beach's premiere hip-hop performance venue and was packed mostly with artists, producers, promoters, DJs, industry insiders and fans... but not nearly enough fans. South Florida is a gold-mine of raw talent and most of it's residents are completely unaware. When groups like the NMB Stunnaz hit the stage, the energy cast into the crowd was electric and performances by MisLP and Young Spook were fantastic. The show even brought out some of Dade's veterans with acts like Piccalo hitting the stage. But a performance by YD, a rapper from Overtown really shut down the show completely!
If you could bottle and sell the undeniable talent exuded from this young group of artists, producers and DJs, you would make millions! The thing is, we can sell it, but why aren't South Floridians buying into the local hip-hop scene? These artists are working hard and making good music. There is definitely a South Florida sound that these artists, producers and DJs have tapped into and are branding. Acts like Rick Ross and Trick Daddy are only the tip of the iceberg and its time Miamians paid attention and showed love to the local scene.
Best in Dade serves to honor those who stay on the grind in an industry that often doesn't show enough love and recognition to those who haven't made it yet. These individuals work diligently at their craft and what Street Connect has done is more than just recognizing the people that work in the local industry but they shed light on a local scene that is still very underground.
I encourage you to check out an underground hip-hop station (Streets FM 89.1, Heavy 92.7, Da Blaze 98.7, StreetConnect Radio 107.1, etc), attend a local artist show or performance and support South Florida's growing and thriving local music scene. You will not be disappointed!
Salute to Street Connect DJs for putting on the show and giving love to the local scene! Salute to all of the artist, producers, promoters, DJs, entertainers, grinders, hustlers, businesses, publicists, A&Rs, bloggers, media personnel and FANS who attended the show and support local music! #SALUTE!
Check out a full list of the winners, more pics and videos from the local artists cyphers done for the show after the jump!
The Roc Nation's newest R&B sensation is making waves with her newly released EP, Every Girl, showing that the label is far from a boys' club. BK, an NYC native is creating quite a buzz for herself and the EP is only a prequel to her untitled debut album is set to be released in February of 2012. Expect to hear and see a great deal of Ms. Kelly as she gears up to take the R&B/Urban music world by storm with her promotional tour. Her brand of rock and pop infused R&B definitely has a place in today's urban music market and her EP is just a taste of what the talented 23-year-old has in store for us. 
