
Tamika Awards: 1997
Winners
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1998

Picks and Predictions for the Ninth Annual Tamika Reggae Awards.

Part 1

[DJ Lister DJ Kibret]

Lister Hewan-Lowe and Kibret Neguse

WUSB 90.1 FM SUNY

The 9th Annual Tamika Reggae Awards Ceremony was held Sunday, March 16, 1997, in New York City’s Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, at 7:00 p.m.

[Editor: DJs Lister and Kibret have strong commentary that they thought would influence your ballot.]

There are ten of the thirty categories for the 1997 Tamika Awards. Some of these categories are:

Record of the Year

Most Promising Artist

Radio Personality of the Year

Album of the Year

Video of the year

National Record Label of the Year

International Record Label of the Year

The Nelson Mandela Award (for the Most Conscious Lyrics)

Songwriter of the Year

Male Vocalist of the Year - National

Debates demand - pros and cons, yin and yang.

Open forum.

Category: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1. RECORD OF THE YEAR.

Prediction: Living Dangerously.

Clappers Pick: Old Dog.

WHY? Living Dangerously, although very popular, features Bounty Killer at his most off-key. Barrington Levy voiced this with him several years ago, and the tune was buried until Jah Screw and Gary Himmelfarb made it available again. Technically, Living Dangerously was not released in '96.

Old Dog is the pick because it is well produced, has clever hooks, and is an excellent Dave Kelly production. Nuff Said.

Old Dog was the second most played song in '96. Living Dangerously was THE most played on the radio.

2. Most Promising Artist of the Year

Prediction: Anthony B.

Clappers pick: None as yet.

Why? Anthony B is high profile now, especially after Sting performance last year. Kibret says Buccaneer cannot be on the list since he is already an established artist. Sizzla is an artist that who had been overlooked. Lister not only agrees, he says Sizzla is definitely the most promising artist of the year based on the quality of his new releases. Go buy the records!

3. Radio Personality of the Year.

Prediction: Bobby Konders.

Clappers pick: Bobby Konders or Chris the Dubb Master.

Lister's pick: Bobby Konders because of his record-breaking Arbitron shares as well as his consistency in selecting the hippest records. He is also actively promotes "willing" and unknown artistes. Bobby Konders does his homework. He works hard, and is not a slouch.How can you top that? Since Bobby Konders does not have a day job, his radio productions are his life. Congratulations Bobby Konders, WQHT Hot '97.

Kibret's pick: Chris the Dubb Master. I find myself enjoying his WRTN show more and more. He is a well rounded audience pleaser and a remarkable selector/mixer who is selflessly devoted to the music.

4. ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

Prediction: My Xperience by Bounty Killer.

Clappers pick: My Xperience by Bounty Killer.

This is the most hyped (but also very good), most musically aggressive album of the year. An album that is the leader of the pack.

How the ##### [Editor: no corresponding keys] did ChristafarI (excuse me while I vomit, gag me with a cd) get nominated?

Lister says "I finally have the proof that there is no God. ChristafarI, try pastafari. The restaurant business need you. Go make pasta, as in Rasta. The Clinton's deserve you. Guess who's coming to dinner?"

" Why wasn't Red Fox's 'Face The Fox' nominated over Maxi and Christafari?" asked Kibret

5. Video of the Year

Prediction: That Girl by Maxi Priest and Shaggy

Clappers pick: That Girl by Maxi Priest and Shaggy

Now this is an extremely well-produced, MTV, flashy video. Hey, if you're gonna spend alot of money on a video, SHOW us that you spent a lot of money! This is one that Jacob Miller would feel proud of his cousin Maxi. Two great artistes, one good video. Kibret says "Real Man" by George Nooks and Lupa should have been included in the nomination, based on the rotation it gets on Rockers-TV.

6. National Record Label of the Year

Prediction: VP Records.

Clappers pick: VP Records

Finally, after all these many years, this label has finally decided to act like a real record company. We've got to support them 100%. They've put in more effort to support the majority of their acts with not only through aggressive marketing and distribution, but also some semblance of tour support and good videos. Majors, run for cover!

7. International Record Label of the Year

Prediction: Xtra Large.

Clappers pick: Xtra Large.

For a very small label with 0 dollars, Xtra Large is behaving like a major record company. Congrats Dave Kelly. Keep focused, don't let it go to your head.

8. The Nelson Mandela Award (For the Most Conscious Lyrics)

"First of all, it should be the Steve Biko Award. I'm pissed. Let's be honest. Change it". - Lister.

The obvious winner is predicted as Everton Blender (Lift Up Your Head, Ghetto People Song).

"It's gonna be close between Luciano and Everton Blender". -Kibret.

"Why"?

"Cho, Lister let me finish man! You sound like Brian Gumble, or is it Gumbo? Luciano would be my pick from the list. More consistent releases in '96 and before".

" May I remind you Kibret that this award is not called the most consistent, it's called the most conscious. Plus, born again Christian lyrics are not conscious lyrics. Political lyrics are CONSCIOUS lyrics".

" That's an excellent point. But yo are a Maoist, and I'm a Rasta. I love Luci's spiritual vibe. Special mention of Tony Rebel for Jah by My Side. Whoaaa, stop! Stop! Stop! Lister. How could we forget the artist who literally changed the face of reggae music PERIOD? Buju Banton singlehandedly put the politics back in the music!"

" Yes, I agree, like a true Maoist, I bow to Buju Banton.

" Don't bow too low or you might get 'BOOM BYE BYE!!' (:-) " - Kibret.

9. Songwriter of the Year

Prediction: Beres Hammond.

Clappers pick: Dave Kelly.

Many people don't realize that Dave Kelly writes most of the songs released on his label, from Buju to Beenie!

"This proves my point that Jamaican reggae music is producer-driven, and Dave Kelly is the apex of reggae productions because he is an excellent producer and songwriter. However I would like to see more female nominees for songwriters of the year." - Lister.

"Where are the female songwriters Lister? And shouldn't the name of the category be changes to producer/songwriter of the year"- Kibret.

10. National, Male Vocalist of the Year

Prediction: George Nooks

Clappers pick: George Nooks

"I'm going to ask you one question Kibret. What is the definition of 'national'? "

"Clinton told me it means 'in the US' ".

" Then he [Clinton] should say exactly that. Because if I'm in Japan and I am reading this on the Clappers website, then it means 'in Japan'

Not much to choose from in this category. George and Lupa's Real Man got nuff airplay over the songs released by the rest of these nominees.

CONTINUED......