Venus and Mars are Alright: The 2017 Platinum Vinyl Awards 3rd Qtr - Rap

The 3rd Quarter Wrap Continues. Our three way tie goes to the middle genre with Rap. We won't spend any time on small talk and get right to it.

Rap/Hip Hop

• GRITS - Saints and Sinners
• Mali Music - The Transition of Mali
• Propaganda - Crooked
• RAWSRVNT - Shut It Down
• Renaissance Movement Music - Safe House

A few words. It is good to see music from GRITS. They were one of the first Hip Hop artists not named DC Talk that I first heard back in the late 90'. Renaissance Movement Music is a collaborative act that is using all proceeds to establish Safe Houses against Human Trafficking.A much better thing than Safe Zones for Snowflakes. Rock Music is next. Until then, click the links, buy from Amazon and support The Night Beat. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Falling Notes: The 2013 First Quarter - Rap

Int the original post for Hip Hop and Rap there were three entries which passed muster to be eligible for the 4th Platinum Vinyl Awards. There are always more releases than are eligible, of course, but, when additional entries are discovered, things get a little complicated. In this case the entry list suddenly doubled, and two Perfect 5's joined the ranks. There isn't much cause for concern here, not yet. Not like, say, Alternative. Check out Confessions of the Candyman for more information. I still don't know what to do if the 5's fill the ranks of a genre. Expand or Shrink to fit. I guess whatever will cause the least griping.

Hip Hop & Rap

• Brinson - No Other Heroes
• Canon - Loose Canon EP, Volume 1
• Coffee Jones of Grits - Fresh Brew
• Japhia Life - Westside Pharmacy
• Je'kob - Hope
• Thi'sl - Free From The Trap

Brinson and Thi'sl made a perfect rating. They were pretty impressive. A few other notes on this redesigned quarter. Adult Contemporary, Pop and Metal were combined into one post and Gospel and Folk Music another. Alternative, Modern Worship and Rock will have their original posts readjusted. And still, I have to redo the second quarter and post the third. Maybe I can get it all done before the Fourth Quarter ends. Until next time, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

And The Nominees Are: Hip Hop/Rap

The rollout continues. We now come to the Hip Hop & Rap Genre. There were barely enough entries this year to make a full complement of Seven. Actually, eight made the initial cut. Sorry K-Drama fans, the album was great, but it was really marketed as a fitness album, so I chose that one to drop. Let the griping begin.

The Nominees for the First Platinum Vinyl Awards for the Category of Best Hip Hop or Rap Album are:

• Lions and Liars by Sho Baraka
• Quarantine by Grits
• City Lights by JSon
• Rehab by Lecrae
• Between Two Worlds by Trip Lee
• The Prototype by Sean Slaughter
• Light Up The Dark by The Washington Projects 

Still to come Modern Worship, Kids Music, and the General Field Nominees. Keep it locked here at the Night Beat for exclusive and complete coverage of the Platinum Vinyl Awards. Oh, and before I forget, HELLO BULGARIA.