Dave and I made our way to London via the Oxford Tube bus which is convenient and not too pricey. We were somewhat entertained by strangers Charlie and his mates, sitting behind us. It was difficult not to overhear their excitement and conversation regarding their plans for the evening, which was going to the Snowboarding World Cup event at Battersea Power Station. While they were discussing their evening, we were getting excited too, on our way to the Urban Music Awards.

Bloomsbury is one of my favorite areas in London. It was the first place I stayed when I arrived in England a few years ago. This time of year, the streets are especially quaint, walking along, over the crisp fallen leaves… so I wasn’t too disappointed to find out that although we arrived, press passes in hand, at the Bloomsbury Theatre on time, we were an hour early. So, with some time to spare, we wandered around and found our way to the pleasant Cafe Toscana.

An hour later and back at the theatre, things were bustling and as the crowd made their way into the reception area, we headed straight for the bar…and then proceeded to people watch. A very nice looking crowd indeed, many dressed to the max, girls in short sequined dresses of all colors, guys dressed in suits along with some familiar faces.

One of those familiar faces was none other than Levi Roots! He was up for an award in the Best Entrepreneur category, which I felt was well deserved as we’ve been following his career since his successful appearance on BBC’s Dragon’s Den when he was given funding for his – and my favorite – Reggae Reggae Sauce.

We talked to Levi before the show. He has a new album and video out, and I asked him if he plans to come out with a milder Reggae Reggae Sauce. He said the current sauce isn’t that spicy! He looked great, a sharp dresser, and I was happy to find out that his warm and friendly personality that comes across on TV is the same in person.

Watch Levi Roots – “So Out Of My Mind” video:

After the announcement that the awards show was about to begin, we went into the theatre, found some good seats, and we were ready for the show.

Awards Presenters included:

Comedian Roland Rivron, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace (Big Brother 7), former boxer Frank Bruno, Paul Danan (Reality TV, former Hollyoaks actor), British MP George Galloway, actress Linda Robson, Christian artists Adam and Matt Brooks and R&B group Cleopatra.

Performances included:

Sons of Soul (SOS) “Candy Girl”; Sway; Wild Sugar; K.I.G Family “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”; Meleka “Go”; Lazee “Hold On”; Dj Luck and Mc Neat “A Little Bit of Luck”; Egypt “In The Morning”; Britain’s Next Superstar singers/contestants and Brick & Lace.

Voted by the public via the UrbanMusicAwards website, winners included:

Best Newcomer: Egypt
Best Radio Show: James Meritt (Kiss)
Best Entrepreneur: Levi Roots
Best Collaboration: Jay Sean ft. Lil Wayne “Down”
Most Inspiring Act 2009 (?) Brick & Lace
Best Music TV Station: Flava TV
Best Jazz Act: Yolanda Brown
Best Album 2009: N-Dubz ‘Uncle B’
Best Producer: Blessed Beats
Best Hip Hop Act: Sway
Best Music Video: K.I.G “Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes”
Best UK Asian Act: R.D.B
Best Gospel Act: Guvna B
Best R&B Act: Brick & Lace

The founder of the Urban Music Awards Jordan Kensington thanked his mother who was in attendance and talked about helping to get kids inspired at 200 schools and colleges. Children in The Urban Poets vs Double MDO (not sure of the spelling) performed poems about success, and from audience response, Double MDO won the Young Achievers Award.

I hope to get official documentation regarding winners, performances etc. which I’ll publish here on BandWeblogs.com when available, or in the meantime, go to the Urban Music Awards Official website.

Notable Performances / Ones to Watch: Sway; Wild Sugar: hopefully I’m spelling that right – I’m unable to locate their website, but Wild Sugar was fantastic. Three girls singing up front with nine dancers behind them. The main vocalist’s voice was somewhat reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald, with some scat singing thrown in for good measure. Great to hear young artists singing in that style; Meleka: she has a great voice, looked fabulous on stage in her sparkly silver dress and I really like her debut single “Go”. She pulled Entrepreneur of the Year Levi Roots up to the stage and he good-naturedly danced along with her; Swedish rapper Lazee; Cleopatra: when they presented the Best R&B Act Award, they sang part of a song acapella and announced that they’ll be back in 2010. I’ll look forward to hearing their new material.

The night was fun and entertaining and the setting was intimate. There were some glitches – a couple times when presenters were announced to come out, we were left in complete silence as nothing happened – to then be told that the presenter wasn’t available to present the award. But I guess “technical difficulties” are to be expected at this kind of event.

Also, it was disappointing to see that it wasn’t a full house and I’m not sure if that was due to keeping the awards show more low key this year because of the violence that erupted, as Sway mentioned when he accepted his award, last year at the larger 2008 Urban Music Awards at the O2 arena in London, or if there were other reasons.

I hope that more people continue to go out and support UK artists of this genre, either by checking out live shows and/or buying the music, as there are a lot of talented artists and musicians out there, performing their craft and entertaining audiences.

On our way back home on the Oxford Tube, we were coincidentally reunited with – still strangers – Charlie and his mates, as they sat behind us again and loudly talked about the Snowboarding World Cup and the winners of the event. It was good to hear the results.

For more information, go to:

Invincible Group
Jordan Kensington on Twitter

Urban Music Awards Official Website

By: Jenny May

The Urban Music Awards celebrated its 7th anniversary with a successful 2nd return to the home of urban music New York City on the 17th of July 2009 at the prestigious Hammerstein Ballroom.

Rihanna won Best Music Video and Best Female Act whilst R&B superstar Akon took the gong for Artist of the Year.

Kanye West’s self acclaimed album, 808 & Heartbreak took the award for Best Album 2009 whilst Best International Latino Act went to Enrique Iglesias, new comer, Kid Cudi took home the Best Single for “Day & Night”.

Bobby V stole the show with an electrifying 10 minute performance and taking home awards for Best R&B Act 2009 & Best Male Act.

UK rapper and Urban Music Awards USA nominee for Best Collaboration, Sway performed “Silver & Gold” which sees the UK previous UMA winner collaborate with another US superstar Akon. Sway’s performance got the whole New York audience dancing.

HipHop legend KRS 1 commented “Sway is on a league of his own, this is what the HipHop game needs and only the UMA could bring us to see performances like this”.

The awards show sponsored by Levi’s, Vitamin Water, Proximity Blue, Awani Inc, and Invinciblemobile.com saw a host of exclusive performances, surprises and winners who all joined in the excitement for what was a truly a successful event.

The host of the Urban Music Awards 2009 came courtesy of renowned producer, Amadeus of Diddy’s camp, part of Diddy’s Hit making team, Bad Boy Entertainment who delivered a fantastic job.

Winner of the Best Producer category, Swizz Beatz said “The Urban Music Awards is one of the most exciting events I have been to in a long time and I want all the celebrities, artist, and sponsors to come and support the Urban Music Awards. If you love Urban Music like I do, then you have to love the Urban Music Awards”.

The Urban Music Awards USA has confirmed plans for next year’s awards show to be held in Los Angeles with a host of celebrities from Television, sports, and music world already lining up to attend.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom version of the UMA’s returns on home turf on the 1st of November 2009.

Public can commenced nominating @ www.urbanmusicawards.net

Other winners for the 7th annual Urban Music Awards included:

Artist of the Year
Akon

Best Album
Kanye West ‘808’s & Heartbreak’

Best Gospel Act
Kirk Franklin

Best International Latino Act
Enrique Iglesias

Best Music Video
Rihanna ‘Rehab’

Best R&B Act
Bobby V

Best DJ 2009
Funkmasterflex

Best Radio Station
Hot 97

Best TV show
Harlem Heights

Best HipHop Act
Jay Z

Best Magazine
HipHop Weekly

Best Male Act
Bobby V

Best Collaboration
Ron Browz ft. Jim Jones & Julez Santana ‘Pop Champagne’

Best Female Act
Rihanna

Best International Reggae Act
Movado

Best Producer
Swizz Beatz

Best Single
Kid Cudi for ‘Day & Night’

UMA Living Legend Award (1)
KRS 1

Lifetime Achievement Award
Grandmasterflash

See pictures of the UMA 2009

Buy Music:

R&B on amazon.com

R&B on amazon.co.uk

For more information, go to:

Urban Music Awards Official Website

The Urban Music Awards has announced its return back to the USA with the ‘United we stand’ initiative which sees both the USA and UK UMA team collaborate to bring about history in the making as the Urban Music Awards makes its long awaited return to New York City.

The Urban Music Awards USA is set to take place on the 18th of July 2009 at the Highline Ballroom, Manhattan, New York City to mark the UMA’s 7th anniversary and in light of the recent success which have seen collaborations between UMA nominees, Estelle (UK) featuring Kanye West (USA), Taio Cruz (UK) feat. Busta Rhymes (USA), M.I.A (UK) featuring Jay-Z, TI, Kanye West and more. The UMA is following up this success by celebrating the achievements of both scenes live, in the heart of New York City giving millions of viewers worldwide an opportunity to see the best UK has to offer coupled with the biggest US acts live on one stage.

The confidence in both scenes can be tracked back as far as Eminem’s collaboration with Dido several years ago which gave birth to ‘Stan’ one of his biggest worldwide hits to date. UMA’s very own Lilly Allen’s collaboration with Common on ‘Driving me wild’ saw the US hiphop maestro win over millions of new fans in the European and Asian territories.

Most recently past UMA winners Akon and Sway have gone into the studio to come out with a sure fire hit ‘Silver & Gold’ and who can forget Mark Ronson’s collaboration with Ghostface, Trife & Nate Dogg with the single ‘Ooh Wee’ or Adam F feat Redman with the classic hit ‘Smash Sumthin’.

The Urban Music Awards is always known for setting trends for others to follow, first by being the first truly independent awards ceremony that gave music fans direct control on who they nominated and voted for and secondly by being the only awards ceremony to launch in 6 countries simultaneously including most recently the Caribbean island of Jamaica .

“We strongly believe in overcoming adversity by always emerging in a much stronger position. A lot of organisations disappear when the going gets tough but Invincible Group has had a proven 10 year history coupled with the grassroots credibility to remain the flying flag for inspiration, dedication, motivation and success. We are very excited for 2009 as all artists know that their bread and butter now lies in international bookings and it’s extremely paramount that collaborations are celebrated leading to music fans being exposed to new good quality music worldwide” added Jordan Kensington, CEO of Invincible Group, & The Urban Music Awards (Worldwide).

2009 sees the Urban Music Awards giving music fans across the USA, Europe, Asia, Africa & The Caribbean the chance to both nominate and vote for their best acts of UK origin together with their best acts of US origin via 10 out of the overall 18 categories listed below;

Artist of the Year 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Album 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Gospel Act 2009 (USA only)
Best Collaboration 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Female Act 2009 (UK & USA)
Best HipHop Act 2009 (USA & UK)
Best International Latino Act 2009
Best International Reggae Act 2009
Best Magazine (Print & Online) Worldwide
Best Male Act 2009 (UK & USA)
Best Music Video 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Producer 2009
Best R&B Act 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Radio DJ 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Radio Station 2009 (USA only)
Best Single 2009 (USA & UK)
Best TV Show (US only)
UMA 2009 Living Legend Award (US only)

For the up and coming new talent, the UMA’s in association with Sonicbids are proud to announce America’s Next Urban Superstar giving a chance for millions of aspiring new rappers, singers, vocalists and more to compete for the chance of being crowned America’s Next Urban Superstar, winning a recording contract courtesy of Invincible Records and an opportunity to perform in front of industry heavyweights and music fans alike at the prestigious Urban Music Awards USA in New York City on the 18th of July 2009.

Commenting on the partnership, Jim Schultz of Sonicbids said “It was a pleasure working with the Urban Music Awards in 2007 and we look forward to working together again in 2009 to search for America’s Next Urban Superstar”.

The televised competition will see auditions held in LA, Miami, Atlanta and New York
giving up and coming acts across North America maximum exposure via the UMA’s. As for the pioneers of the urban music scene, the UMA’s have introduced the UMA Living Legend award. Seven sponsored awards due to be handed to pioneers of the scene. “A lot of new musicians and artists coming out today owe their success to legends that made up the urban music industry and we are proud to make sure our pioneers get the true recognition they deserve” said Alyssa Menard, Events Manager, Urban Music Awards USA.

From Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Run DMC, to Chaka Khan, Grandmasterflash, Montel Jordan, Boyz 2 Men and more. You have the power to decide who gets the seven UMA Living Legend awards and all the other 18 categories by registering and nominating at www.urbanmusicawards.net.

As always the UK come out winners again this year as immediately after the New York show we return to homebase for collaboration with our UMA team in France for the first ever UMA (UK/France) award set to take place at a secret location in London, UK on the 1st of November 2009.

Live collaborations between French R&B, HipHop, Soul Artist and our very own homegrown talent. Those that are lucky enough to get VIP tickets are set to witness decent good quality music celebrated on one stage. Due to popular demand, we are also proud to introduce ‘The Best Asian Act’ category for 2009.

To mark what is set to be a very historical 2009 for the UMA’s, the organisation will release the UMA 2009 ‘United we Stand’ Compilation which will be distributed throughout 13 countries featuring the crème de la crème of talent from UK, USA, France & the Caribbean!

So, what are you waiting for? You the public, the fans of urban music hold the cards now and all you have to do is to register and nominate your favourites, which started 11th of March through till the 20th of April 2009. The full list of nominees will be announced on the 1st of May 2009.

About the UMA:
The NO. 1 premiere R&B, HipHop, Soul and Dance Music awards ceremony in the world. The Urban Music awards ceremony is held annually in the USA, UK, France, Caribbean, and Japan with plans to expand to Asia, Dubai and Africa. The Urban Music Awards was born out of the need to build a worldwide and independent awards ceremony to recognise the achievement of urban based artists, producers, club nights, dj’s , radio stations, record labels and artist that are or were previously unrecognised within their country of origin and are a product of the current Dance/R&B, HipHop, Neo Soul, Jazz, Grime, Garage and D&B music scene. Past winners at the Urban Music Awards have included; Grandmasterflash, Nas, Omarion, Danity Kane, Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis, Adele, Vybez Cartel, Goldie, Dizzee Rascal, Terri Walker, Sean Paul, Beverley Knight , Raghav, Erup, Lemar, Sway, Boyz2Men, Beenie Man, T.O.K, Craig David, Lethal Bizzle, Shakira, Papoose and many more . The Urban Music Awards has set it self as a credible awards ceremony. From its inception all nominations and voting have been left for YOU, the public to decide! In 7 years, the prestigious awards ceremony has been covered by : The BBC World Service, CNN, MTV, BET, VH1, BBC Radio 1, BBC Entertainment Online, Invincible TV, Evening Standard, The Metro Newspaper , The Independent, The Guardian , Channel 4, CD:UK , London Tonight , Choice fm , New Nation, The Voice, and many more.

About Invincible Group:
Invincible Group is the international parent group of companies behind Invincible Magazine, Invincible newspaper, Invincible Radio, Invincible TV, and Invincible films, Invincible Jeans, Invincible Events and Invincible Mobile. Invincible was launched by on the 1st July 1999 in London, as a style, ideas and impact conscious brand with the aim of serving our vibrant, multi-cultural society. Since its creation, with offices in the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, France and the Caribbean, Invincible has launched the careers of musicians, artists, photographers, designers, writers, models and actors around the world, while staking out an unchallenged position for itself at the cutting-edge of international urban cool and inspiration. Fuelled by a dedication to success, Invincible promotes a message of unity to empower ethnic diversity and creativity. Invincible events is also responsible for the Urban Music Awards (held annually both in the UK, France, Caribbean, & U.S.A), British Music Week and the National Entrepreneurs Conference (NYC).
Check our brand websites @ www.invinciblemag.com | www.invinciblemobile.com | www.urbanmusicawards.net | www.britishmusicweek.com | www.internationalfootballawards.com | www.invincibleradio.com | www.invinciblemediagroup.com (c) est. Since 1999

Register & submit your nominees for the: Urban Music Awards USA

Register & submit your nominees for the: Urban Music Awards UK/France edition

Urban Music Awards Official Website

ITV Local London has become the official media partner of the Urban Music Awards 2008.

The awards ceremony will be streamed LIVE on ITV Local London on a dedicated Urban Music Awards channel (www.itvlocal.com/london/umas).

Viewers can log on to the website to see some of the biggest names in music perform and pick up the prestigious awards throughout the evening on Saturday 15th November 2008. They will then be able to catch up on the best bits from the show, as well as see exclusive red carpet interviews and backstage gossip from Monday 17th November.

Estelle, Leona Lewis, Dizzee Rascal, Basement Jaxx and dozens of other UK talent will go head to head for the UMA accolades, which will be presented at IndigO2 in London. The ceremony will be attended by more than 5,000 artists, music industry insiders and fans, plus thousands more from around the world online via ITV Local.

Channel Manager Casey Herbert said “We’re thrilled to have been invited to partner with the awards. The success of our features on the MOBO awards earlier this year demonstrated to us how important music is to Londoners, and the partnership with the UMAs is a great opportunity for ITV Local to introduce itself to a huge global audience interested in urban music. The team are pretty excited to be going along as well!”

The dedicated ITV Local channel will go live this week, and will include information on the nominees, the line-up, and how to get to IndigO2. Video previews and highlights from last year’s awards will also be available on-demand.

- The awards ceremony will be streamed live on www.itvlocal.com/london/umas from 8pm (GMT) on Saturday 15th November 2008.

- ITV Local is ITV’s regional website, providing local news, weather, travel, entertainment and more online, on-demand, 24 hours a day.

ITV Local London Official Website

Urban Music Awards Official Website

Foot Locker, leader of style originality, is proud to sponsor the Urban Music Awards‘ newest category, Britain’s Next Urban Superstar.

Synonymous with great music and great fashion, the Urban Music Awards and Foot Locker are on a mission to unveil the next generation of urban music talent in the UK through this exclusive new talent search.

The only strictly urban talent search of its kind to be directly associated with a major awards ceremony, Foot Locker and the UMA’s will be searching for Britain’s Next Urban Superstar via a nationwide talent search from June 2008.

Auditions will be held in major UK cities between June and September 2008. Hopefuls can also audition at exclusive, one-day only, private recording booths at five Foot Locker’s this summer – including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Southampton and Cardiff. A selection of the most talented, and the most entertaining, of these in store auditions will be shown exclusively on www.footlocker.eu.

The successful auditions will qualify for the televised heats, to be broadcast on Flava TV (Sky 357) and Invincible TV online starting from 16th July, 2008.

The winner of the talent search will be presented with the coveted Foot Locker ‘Britain’s Next Urban Superstar’ award at The Urban Music Awards ceremony hosted on 1st November and broadcast on Channel U on 27th December, 2008.

Natasja Jennings, Associate Manager for Media Strategy at Foot Locker comments:

“Foot Locker is dedicated to supporting the rising stars of the urban music scene, and is excited about this new award that will uncover such a wealth of new urban music talent. Foot Locker is known for providing our consumers with the latest trends and styles and this is a great opportunity to directly communicate with our consumers under such a highly acclaimed awards ceremony like The Urban Music Awards.”

Leading the way in the latest exclusives in sneakers, Foot Locker is a perfect partner to the annual Urban Music Awards, which has become synonymous with fresh new music and leading fashion trends.

For more information, go to:

Foot Locker Europe Official Website