Miami's Local Music Scene & The Best in Dade Awards 2011

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!

Best in Dade Award Winners:


Artist Categories:

Rookie of the Year: Young Spook

Next to Blow: Ball Greezy

Best Performer: GunPlay
Best Male R&B Artist: AJ the R&B General

Best Female R&B Artist: Kirby Mauier

Best Group on the Rise: NMB Stunnaz
Most Underrated Artist: YD
Best Female Lyricist: Brianna
Best Male Lyricist: D Mac
Most Improved Female Artist: MisLp
Most Improved Male Artist: Fella


Music Categories:
Best Single: GunPlay "Rolling"
Best Video of the year: Ice Berg "Snap"
Mixtape of the Year: Brisco - 21 Jumpstreet

Business Categories:

Best Blog website: iBlog126.com
Best Urban Store: Purple carpet
Restaurant: Chef Creole
Indie Label: Keep It 100 Records

Best Club: Liv 

Best Strip Club: King of Diamonds

DJ Categories:Best Underground DJ: Primetime

Best MixShow DJ: Entice
Underground Radio Personality: DJ YoyoRadio Personality: Felisha Monet
Best Strip Club DJ: DJ Meat
Best Club DJ: Lucky C
Best Mixtape DJ: DJ Choz



Industry Categories:
Best Producer: Young TrizoBest Director: EZ Kut Films
Best Graphics Designer: Rep Gfx
Best Promoter: So Loose Promo

Best Female Hustler: Honey's Money

Best Male Hustler: Steve (SoLoose) 

Best Female Grinder: Mowhett
Best Male Grinder: ALyric

Check out all the pictures at SoBeLivePhotos.com