Urban Music Awards

The launch of the Urban Music Awards in New York City this past weekend was a huge success according to organizers and those who attended. The event which took place at the notorious Hammerstein Ballroom in the heart of Manhattan included performances by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Foxy Brown and Chubb Rock. See the winners below:Best Album; Nas 'HipHop is Dead'
Best Collaboration: Busta Rhymes ft. Mary J Blige, Rah Digga & More 'Touch it' (Rmx)
Best Female Group: Danity Kane
Artist of the Year sponsored by Myspace.com: Papoose
Best Entrepreneur: Jimmy 'Henchmen' Rosemond
Best Male Group: One Chance
Best International Latino Act: Shakira
Best Music Video: Letoyah Luckett 'Torn'
Best Newcomer: One Chance
Best Neo Soul Act: Musiq Soulchild
Best Gospel Act: Mary Mary
Most Inspiring Act: Omarion
Best HipHop Act: Papoose
Best TV Show: Nick Cannon 'Wild & Out'
Best Music Video Model/Dancer: Gloria Velez
Best Radio Station: Hot 97
Best US Radio Presenter: Angie Martinez
Outstanding Achievement Award: Grandmasterflash & The Furious Five
Lifetime Achievement Award: Boyz 2 Men

VH1 Hip-Hop Honors takes to the Road
Building up to the official Hip-Hop Honors weekend in New York in mid October is being done in true style this year. The awards show which has recognized Hip-Hop's most influential and credible, MCs and lyricists is taking to the road. The shows throughout the US will include artists such as award winners Big Daddy Kane and MC Lyte who will be headlining along side the legendary Roots who are also playing the role of musical directors for the fourteen date concert. The VH1 Hip-Hop Honors began three years ago and has recognized artists such as The Wu Tang Clan, Notorious BIG and LL Cool J. See dates and venues below: 9/13/07 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
9/14/07 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
9/15/07 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
9/17/07 Denver, CO Paramount Theater
9/19/07 Dallas, TX House of Blues
9/20/07 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
9/23/07 Chicago, IL House of Blues
9/24/07 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
9/27/07 Norfolk, VA The Norva
9/29/07 Washington, DC 930 Club
9/30/07 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live!
10/2/07 Worcester, MA Palladium
10/3/07 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
10/5/07 New York, NY Nokia Theater
Busta has his day in court
Rapper Busta Rhymes has won his right to have four separate trials for the recent charges brought against him. Rhymes born Trevor Smith, was granted the four trials by a judge in a Manhattan court yesterday. The charges include driving while under the influence, two of assault and driving with a suspended license.

Authorities had hoped to combine all charges to allow quicker expedition, Rhymes and his legal consul had emphatically objected this proposal. The rapper is expected to appear in court on September 5th.

Big Plans for Ne-Yo
R&B singer Ne-Yo has some big projects in the works. Having just recently released his sophomore project Because of You is writing songs for multiple A List vocalists. Born Shaffer Chimere Smith, the singer is working on material for Mary J Blige, Michael and Janet Jackson, Celine Dion and is in close collaboration with Clive Davis providing material for the come back album from Whitney Houston.

The singer who recently performed at the Essence music festival in New Orleans also denied any involvement with 'video vixen' Karrine Steffans like she has insinuated in her new book. Ne Yo is set to play a role in the forth coming moving, Mam I want to Sing along side Patti LaBelle and Ciara.

Melanie J Cornish