Rappers' distaste for awards shows is nothing new. American artists from Ol' Dirty Bastard ("Wu-Tang is for the children!") to Kanye West ("Pamela Anderson was in it!") have staged live--and somewhat embarrassing award show protests.
In Canada, where we are always a step behind in race-relations, not much is different. The Rascalz won the Juno for Best Rap Recording in 1998 and refused to accept it because the award wasn't presented on the televised part of the ceremony. In Point Blank's latest single "Born N Raised In The Ghetto Remix," Stump rhymes, "Never been robbed/'Cept for a Much Video Award."
The problem is there's still only one category for rap, with no separate awards for albums and singles, and on top of that, the R&B/Soul Recording of the Year award often includes non-urban artists as nominees. Though a few artists of colour have managed to slip into the major categories, like k-os' (2003) and Belly's (2008) nominations for Best New Artist, there aren't many opportunities for our community to get much shine.
But do the Junos still hold weight with the artists? Do they even care?
"I would think the Junos are relevant for the amount of exposure they can provide to an artist," says Arlo Maverick of Edmonton's Politic Live. He and his partners have been nominated for awards in the past, including a Western Canada Music Award and most recently a Canadian Music Week Indie Award.
"It opens the doors for VideoFACT and Factor grants, allows for more touring opportunities, raises an artist's profile and even increases video rotation."
Toronto's JD Era agrees wholeheartedly, saying he looks forward to the Junos and hopes to eventually win one.
"Even though urban music isn't represented the way we want it to be, it's still the only award ceremony that covers every genre across the country," Era said via his MySpace page.
"And I can charge more for a show the minute my name says 'Juno award-winning' beside it," he adds, always on the paper chase.
The Politic Live frontman doesn't let the Canadian Academy off the hook entirely though. He points out that for artists out west, just getting a nomination is an uphill struggle, citing strong albums from Van-City veterans Moka Only and Red 1, Edmonton duo Touch & Nato, Peg City's Grand Analog and his own crew's Adaptation, none of which got a nod.
"What criterion is being used? Is it music quality, personal taste or buzz?" Mav asks. "If it's buzz then we all can agree that Western Canadian hip-hop artists don't receive as much attention from media outlets as our counterparts from the East. The irony of that statement is that our hip-hop counterparts from the East aren't getting much media attention to begin with."
Arlo Maverick has mostly positive things to say about the Junos though, and there'll be no awards show protests from the Prince of the North either.
"I can boycott the Juno's after I win one," Era laughs (out loud).
So who's going to grab the hardware this year? Arlo Maverick like's London, Ontario's native son.
"My vote is with Shad," Young Mav says. "[Shad's LP] The Old Prince is solid from start to finish."
Shad's touring partner Classified definitely makes a great case as well, but we'll know when the 2008 Juno Awards air on CTV on April 6.
Dope article.
ReplyDeleteI loved Era's comment about boycotting once he gets a Juno... LOL!!!
But on the real... It is sad that Canada is still behind in race relations and things like the Junos and Canadian Idol continue to echo that sentiment.