5th Annual Twin Cities HipHop Awards

 Saturday, January 29th, 2010

Just as crowded as I'd expected. The First Ave venue, as big as it is, was quite cozy tonight. I'll admit it got a little intimate with a few ladies as I attempted to slide my way to the front of the crowd. Which is good news because I had just bought a new outfit that morning at the Marshalls in Nicollet Mall so its good to know I was good looking enough to unintentionally rub up against people without getting knocked out.

It was HipHop alright. But despite how I wanted things to go, I got there an hour late and left an hour early because Metro Transit sucks...
So I made it to the front to see a beautiful host who I do not know. Followed by a performance from rappers that I'll admit I'd never heard of. And yet, I felt I was around familiars. Thats what HipHop will do to you, mark my words.
Dimly lit in back, Flashing lights up front. I guesstimate there were at least a thousand people there... maybe thats a bit much. Look, it was alot of people. We were all good looking men, and good looking women. All either with cellphone in hand, drink in hand, or hand in hand. Anybody leavin' out of that place with somebody, was gonna have a reeeaall good night, I assure you.

But I recall it was quite musty...
Maybe thats how its supposed to be though. Maybe thats how our parents danced to HipHop in their day with their Kool Moe Dee's and LL Cool J's. With that DJ on the turntables back there with his Kangol hat and two hosts tellin' you to "Make some Muthafuckin' Noise!" You walk into the spot and its loud, sexy, and its funky. HipHop... and yet it was all somehow chill despite how hype it was. You feel as though your surrounded by familiar strangers.

..I met internet sensation 50 Tyson by the way. You know people make fun of this guy alot but i've come to the conclusion that he is to the Twin Cities what Biz Markie was to HipHop so many years ago. Well, I exaggerate. Biz Markie was a beatboxer, turntablist, dancer and emcee. This kid here? I should say has the potential to be like a 2nd Biz Markie.








Now reader, Im no 'official" journalist. Im not accredited with any fancy writing degree or anything like that. and I only say this stop any presumption that Im at all politically correct. Im just a storyteller. Meaning, if you've ever been offended by anything in your life, you need to stop reading right now...


You could say im documenting and writing for spiritual reasons. I happen to love HipHop religiously. So I've decided to be a bit of what Homer was to Odysseus (ever heard of The Odyssey?)
Well I'm rambling again..
Anyway, after meeting with 50, I saw he had Starr in his entourage, though, I once knew her as Nasia.I thought "I recognize this girl, does she recognize me?"..I went back to a scene of me and her talking on the phone for hours a few years ago and I wondered if she went back there too when she saw me.. I was 17... And I think she was too.
For a moment while we we're standing up front, I found myself trying to get a read on her. Not sure what to think... But I'll tell you our story later.


Well the award show was everything I wanted it to be. They had real awards for real artists:

"Most Slept on Award",

"Best Hustler Award",

"Best Video Award",

 "Minneapolis/St. Paul Mayor Award".

And thats just to name a few. They had nominations for Best Rappers and Singers and such too. But I came a bit aimless and thrown off by Starr...










Well after that, I found myself exhausted. Both physically and financially. And I made it home with just enough money to tip the cab driver. Kicked off my shoes. Caught some zzz's...



S H O U T  O U T  OF THE DAY  S E C T I O N 


Miki Starr Is the Illest!
She is an accomplished writer and graphic designer.
Grab her new read: Psycho.
..I am. 
Luckily, I am one of her former students. I got even more lucky when I stumbled upon her facebook page and found a link to all of her published work and stuff.

Check the Technique. 

1. Add the Facebook  

2. Like the Facebook  

3. Read the Book