“I wanted to pay homage to the great artists and producers of the past, that paved the way for younger artists,” said Parker.

 

In terms of New Orleans' reputation, Parker said he thinks the Crescent City could hold its own in comparison with any other hip-hop capital.

 

“New Orleans has to be ranked in the top cities world wide musically. With artists like Lil Wayne, Jay Electronica, Frank Ocean and more, we size up pretty well,” he said.

 

While the award ceremony exists as an outlet for emerging artists, Parker said he still likes to give credit to the big local names that have come up in the industry. 

“I believe Lil Wayne is one of the greatest artists. Any popularity he receives is because he is one of the best. He has been releasing music for a long time,” said Parker.

 

The local producer said he’s not entirely satisfied with the mainstream market yet, but he’s hopeful and says he’s seen a lot of progress in recent years.

 

“I believe there is work to be done as far as mainstream radio,” he said. “But locally our stations have finally started supporting our local hip-hop scene, mainly because we have focused on putting out good music and being consistent at it. We [national and local music industries] are working together!”

 

The nomination process involves a long list of local music industry folks. 

“We have created a panel every year of our DJ’s, bloggers, producers, videographers, taste makers. Their job is to review every artist that has released music the previous year and decided who has done the best job,” Parker explains.

 

However, the public is the ultimate factor in determining the best and the brightest out of New Orleans’ hip-hop scene. 

 

“Once they have decided who gets nominated, we let the public decide the winner,” says Parker.

 

Parker says the ceremony isn’t just for the winners, it’s also an opportunity to see some of the city’s best entertainers live on stage. 

 

“The award ceremony is amazing. We give out life ime achievement awards every year, bring back our New Orleans Legends to hit the stage and perform their classic songs, and the most important part, is watching our new talent be awards for their hard work,” says Parker. 

 

The lifetime achievement awards this year go to No Limit Records beatmaster KLC/Beats by the Pound and the local 90s stars, the Ghetto Twinz.

 

This year’s third annual award ceremony will be hosted by Shiny Green and Lanino Brown. See the show at the Joy Theatre tomorrow night at 7pm. Order tickets here, prices range from $15-$50, depending on seating. 

 

Check out the nominees below, and click here to vote.

Hottest New Artist:

Jay Jones, Phillip Beamin, D-Eazy, Famous Stranger, DH, and Skrilla

 

Hottest Group: 

Da U Boys, Youngest 1’s, Flame Gang, Team Robot, NO 4, Smash Brothers

 

Hottest Lyricist:

Skip, The Show, HeataBest, Lyriqs Da Lyraciss, 3D Na’Tee

 

Hottest Producer: 

Blaq n’ Mild, S-80, Flight School, Quest, Raj Smoove, II Deep Muzik

 

Hottest Club DJ:

EF Cuttin, DJ Chicken, Mike Swift, DJ Holla Back, DJ Poppa, DJ Ja

 

Hottest Mix DJ: 

DJ RQ Away, DJ Money Fresh, DJ Blaq n’ Mild, DJ Tony Skratchere, DJ Cousin Cav

 

Hottest Event Series: 

Grass Roots, House of the Young, SoundClash, Writers Block, Industry Influence, Laugh and Sip, Uniquity

 

Hottest Comedian: 

Jack Sprat, Mark Caesar, Rude Jude, Shaddy Feel Good, CJ Black

 

Hottest Album: 

Codac, Codac Moment, Chels, True School for the Moon Children, E.D. Nix, Higher Earning, Quest, Quest?ions, Da U Boys, Tha Shutdown, Macniffy, Foreseeable Future

 

Hottest Mixtape: 

Skip, Happy MF’s Day, Young Greatness, Rich and Famous, D-Eazy, Everything Said Stoned, 3D Natee, The Coronation, Paask, TrillMatic, LG, Synth Sounds, Calliope Var, Ghetto Heroes 2.0, Young Roddy, Good Sense, Nesby Phips & Reem, 0017th, Lyriqs Da Lyraciss, The Nobody Monologues II

 

Hottest Song: 

Youngest 1’s, “She Knows,” 3D Natee, “No Love,” Paasy, “Famous,” Kris Baptiste, “Leggo, Leggo”

 

Hottest Female Vocalist: 

Ms. Kendra, Iris P, Kourtney Heart, Alia Fleury, Princess Denisia

 

Hottest Male Vocalist: 

August Alsina, Kris Baptisete, Kevin Stylez, Quinten Corvette, Rantz Davis, B Streezy

 

Hottest Videographer: 

T-Hilly, B. Mike, Tyler Yee, Kerry Lofton, Cyanist TV, Nadiyah Skyy

 

Hottest Music Video: 

New Renaissance “Fool Me,” 3D Natee, “Lil’ Kim,” Youngest 1’s, “She Knows,” LG, “Synth Sounds,” August Alsina, “Sucka,” REI, “Dirty Ass Chucks”

 

Hustler of the Year: 

El Williams, Sess-45, Fee Banks, Calliope Var, Lucky Johnson, Edward Buckles, Fatt Mayweather

 

Hottest Blog: 

Ashlee Nicole Spills, Cash Money Degreez, My Hell of a Life, A Dose of LA, Nola HollyWood, Da Wire by UNK

 

Hottest Bounce Artist: 

Keedy Black, Fly Boi Keeno, Sissy Nobby, Big Freedia, Cheeky Black

 

Hottest Original Bounce Song: 

Keedy Black, “Rock My World,” Magnolia Rhome, “Honey Bun,” Big Freedia, “Deslonde,” P-Town Moe, “Peter Piper”

 

Hottest Radio Personality: 

DJ Chicken, Juggie, Mike Swift, Wild Wayne, Big Abe, DJ Slab1

 

Hottest Online Radio Personality: 

JudCookie, EF Cuttin, DJ Erv, Charlie Martin, Don P., Miss Lilly NOLA, Jay Skillz, Ice Mike