Polar Vortex Polka Redux: The 2015 2nd Quarter - Rap

Welcome back to our announcement of the 2nd Quarter 2015 Pool entries. We move on to the final three. First up is Rap and Hip-Hop, with ten entries this quarter. Mind you, we try to narrow things down to 7 entries for the finals. Let's get to it.

Rap/Hip-Hop

• 21:03 - Outsiders
• Eshon Burgundy - The Fear of God
• Chris Cobbins - August Season, Take 1
• Dee-1 - 3Up EP
• JSon - No Filter
• Derek Minor - Empire
• NF - Mansion
• Sareem Poems and Ess Be - Beautiful Noise
• Skrip - Renegades Never Die 
• Social Club - Us

This quarter we had Three perfect albums in Rap, and they were Eshon Burgundy, Derek Minor and Skrip. That's half the finals in already. Next up is Gospel.

#PlatVnyl4: The Nominees - Artist of The Year

Next up among our nomination announcements, of which the entire list is already up at the nomination page, is that of Artist of The Year. These are the artists or duos, not bands, which stood out above the rest. The seven nominees are:

• +The Civil Wars Even though they have a band like name, the team of Joy Williams and John Paul White is merely a duo. With two nominated albums now under their belt, and a win for Barton Hollow, the hope is that this isn't a lifetime achievement nomination for a band that has passed on.
• +Caroline Cobb Big gambles can lead to bigger rewards. The gamble: Writing a song for every book of the Bible. Though the project needed to be scaled down (a 66 song collection would be unfeasible) Caroline takes us on a 12 song through the Bible journey and uses pop, folk and a bit of country in an enjoyable mix.
• +JJHellermusic If we can be accused of bias here at Night Beat HQ, JJ is one of the reasons. She is consistent in her excellence.
• Json
• +Charlie Peacock The Civil Wars producer took some time out to put out a Jazz work that just boggles the imagination. Going down to Mystic indeed.
• Plumb
• +Jonathan Thulin 

There are two more to announce. Album and Song of The Year. I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Spring Songs: The 2013 Third Quarter - Rap

On to Rap and Hip Hop. A very well represented genre this quarter with ten entries. A nice mix of newcomers and veterans too. I wont spend too much time with introductions, so on to the entries.

Hip Hop & Rap

• Shai Linne - Lyrical Theology, Part 1: Theology
• Heath McNease - The Weight of Glory: Second Edition
• Andy Mineo - Heroes For Sale
• Mr. Del - Faith Walka
• JSon - Braille
• R-Swift - Apply Pressure
• Still Trill Christians - Kings
• Tony Tillman - The Tillman EP
• Whosoever South - Goin Home
• Young Chozen - G.L.O.W.

Some may remember that I was less than impressed one time with Mr. McNease. That was a different album. I treat each release separately.These songs inspired by the works of C.S. Lewis worked wonderfully. Newcomer Whosoever South was the star of the quarter. They mix it up. Hip Hop, Rap, R&B. A totally fresh sound in the genre. And staple JSon scored a perfect album this time around. Rock and Metal await. And I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Nominations Begin: Rap Video of The Year

Now that the electronic categories are completed, we move on to Rap Music, and its more rock like (and Dance Like) sibling, Hip Hop. The Nominations for Video of The Year in the genre of Hip Hop and Rap are:

Fighter by +Manafest 

Goodbye by +JSon

I'm Good by +trip lee 

Lord Have Mercy (Feat Tedashii) by +Lecrae Moore 

They like Me by KJ-52


That concludes this category. Next up is more hard stuff, as the nominations for Hard Rock or Metal Video are next. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

Music Video Monday: Break Out

Welcome to the latest edition of Music Video Monday. We are just about done with the second quarter videos, just in time for the third quarter finishing up. Because of the small amount of videos and some crossover potential, we are combining Hip Hop and Dance Videos today. We start with a group that spans both categories, like techno-hop. This is Rhema Soul and Break Out.

Next up is Group 1 Crew and Live It Up. This is a perfect song for your summer travel playlist.

The High Society Collective Shows what it's like to be Young Again And Finally, we say Goodbye with Json This has been Music Video Monday. Next week we crank it up with Metal. Until then, I am Awaiting Your Reply.

The Frozen Chosen: Rap

We move on to Rap and Hip Hop as we continue our announcement of the best releases for the past Winter, which was the Second Quarter of the 2012 Eligibilty Year for the Platinum Vinyl Awards. As I am writing this post I am listening to a potential 5 Emerald  release in another genre. I'll only say as a teaser "her initials are L.L." On to the releases.

Rap/Hip-Hop

• Young Chozen - Class President
• Flame - The 6th
• Group 1 Crew - Outta Space Love, Bigger Love Edition
• High Society Collective - Circa MXMXI: The Collective
• JSon - Growing Pains
• Rapzilla - King Culture
• RMG - Welcome To The Family
• Scotty G - Real Life
• Toby Mac - Dubbed and Freq'd: A Remix Project.

All were solid releases, and Toby Mac doubled up in the Dance Category as well. Not as big as some of the others, but a solid showing. Until Monday, 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.