Our second year at Blue Rhymez Entertainment is concluding today with the 2021 Honorary Awards. To everyone who’s been a part of this year’s growth, Congratulations! To the thousands of new readers who’ve joined us monthly, thank you! To the writers, staff, and editor, we appreciate you! The overall quality of artists we’ve had grace our publication in 2021 has increased considerably compared to the previous year and the standards will be going higher for each award edition. You have all been incredible but the following artists, a bit more than the rest.
1. ARTIST OF THE YEAR: NON TALKERS
The highest honor of the year goes to the Non Talkers, the husband and wife duo from Portugal writing and performing Pop-Folk music in English. Marco and Evita Brantner have recently released You Don’t Remember Anymore, a record that encompasses the devastating tragedy that takes place with losing loved ones to Alzheimer’s disease. The Folk ballad’s proceeds go to the Alzheimer Portugal Association.
From numerous live sessions, substantial narratives, and plenty of deserved media attention throughout 2021, the Non Talkers are the epitome of hardworking, self-made, independent artists.
2. BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT: TAORETA
Dj Icon and Loaneski from the UK are truly unique in their artistic core and placement on the independent music market. Old-school type music, usually Boom Bap, merged with strikingly relevant messages and topped with Pop references, make Taoreta the Top International Act of 2021. The two talents go to serious lengths to provide movie-like visuals always elevating the quality of their releases, one such example being Lyrical Samurai. Taoreta succeeds in attracting worldwide fans by providing spiritual and simultaneously entertaining value to the public.
3. BEST PRODUCER: IBGEEZEE
Mainly a Hip Hop producer, IBGeeZee creates the type of grandiose instrumentals to send shivers down your spine every single time you hit play. The producer and sound engineer named Gabriel Zecchino astounds with his versatility ranging from electric synths and loud instrumentation to subtle flutes and minimal drums depending on your preference.
4. BEST ROCK BAND: CODE 106
The South African Rock band surpassed their own excellency in 2021 and blessed their fans with HOLY WATER, their top release yet in our eyes. The song is of a greater influence than a clergyman or an activist drawing you in for a furious sonic trip while opening your mind to the crimes perpetrated by individuals in high places. The guys at CODE 106 seamlessly merge Rock music with humanistic causes without losing their credibility or cool factor.
5. BEST RAP ARTIST: OSCAR BIGGS
Oscar Biggs’s delivery adapts to the mood, the story, the seriousness, or equally the fun of each record he puts out. Known for his signature Boom Bap flair, the Montreal-based Hip Hop artist proved time and time again that the legendary genre can be approached from gigantic perspectives like social, personal, or even existential issues. Not to mention the superior visuals he’s been serving his fanbase throughout the year.
6. BEST LYRICIST: E.SMITH
An artist with a tremendous poetic advantage. E. Smith is a prime example of a multi-faceted songwriter ranging from direct messages to layered bars and punchlines. The singer also shows impressive singing range besides her flagrant Rap skills. Through astutely detailed personal references and straight-to-the-point life teachings, E. Smith flawlessly conveys a tone of ferocious perseverance. One of the most promising names on our list.
7. BEST RAP ALBUM: UP FROM HERE BY THE HUMBLE PROPHETS
An album anchored in two decades, the ’80s and the ’90s, Up From Here by Darxx and Salus Herb, is a project luxurious in meaning while acoustically leaning towards compelling simplicity. It is a progression carefully carved to bring to light matters ranging from routine activities to the divine vocation. The guest artists brought on board, such as Levi Deadman and DilaJintz, offer variety and spice to the album.
8. BEST RAP COLLABORATION: THE COME UP BY JDIGGS THA PRODIGY FEAT. LIL’ FLIP
An imposing collaboration that turned out beneficial to both the main artist and the collaborator. A rare thing that is to be upheld and admired in the Hip Hop community. Lil’ Flip’s appearance on the record illustrates the enthusiasm of two unique musical personalities, each delving into his own field of expertise. Lil’ Flip plays the usual braggadocious Rap artist role, while JDiggs Tha Prodigy stresses the contrast between material appearances and mental moods.
9. BEST RAP SONG: DON’T TEST ME! BY XQUANITI3 AND KRISSY WAYWARD
Krissy Wayward and Xquaniti3 are a memorable euphonious pair certain to gratify Rap and Hip Hop aficionados bored of the same ol’ same. These two naturally draw attention since they join forces, blend thoughts, and give the audience The Best Rap Song of 2021. It’s one of those rare instances where we don’t really have anything to add or criticize for the record is flawless as it is.
10. BEST PARTY RECORD: SLIP N SLIDE BY KING P
With his Slip N Slide bop, the Jamaican-born Hip Hop musician and multi-instrumentalist based in Tallahassee, Florida, garnered an outstanding 207k views on YouTube and a whopping 32k stream on Spotify. The feel-good summer anthem oozes raw energy with some hot, unapologetic bars from the saxophonist who unknowingly to many, fulfilled the role of Assistant Head Drum Major for Prince’s Superbowl XLI Halftime Show.
11. BEST DANCE ARTIST: MARK KLAVER
Mark Klaver has shown his consistency in 2021 and has released records of rhythmic quality that match his commercially appealing vocals. When we consider that Mark is mostly known for Soul Pop creations, the Dance route the artist has taken this past year, although ambitious, was definitely successful. Klaver’s suave vocal mannerism and strong lyrical adaption to the upbeat music is something we’d like to keep on hearing in 2022.
12. BEST POP ARTIST: TAYIHA
Always increasingly assertive, Tayiha, from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, has transitioned this year from a new artist to music professional. Every release the singer puts out outperforms her previous work. It’s like the songstress is only competing with herself at this point. Shockingly genuine in her lyrical approach, remarkably in control of her pipes, Tayiha is quickly winning over the public’s affections across the world.
13. BEST R&B ARTIST: TL JONES
TL Jones is one of those artists that wants nothing to do with the current trends and follows her own musical instinct, taking the road less traveled like the song Ride This Vibe. The R&B singer, songwriter, and now producer, disposes of a great vivid lyrical arsenal, a palpable flirtatious nature, and undeniably powerful vocals. A star-quality performer that is just starting her journey.
14. BEST GOSPEL ARTIST: MIKE B BERRY
A new voice and face in the Gospel genre, Mike B Berry blends groovy music with the Lord’s message to invite listeners of all ages to connect with the Higher Power. The Houston-based singer has gained appreciable traction in 2021 with most of his supporters coming from word of mouth. We At War, Mike’s most popular record yet, features glorious vocalizations from an entire team of male and female vocalists.
15. BEST GOSPEL SONG: PLEASE DON’T GO BY DIANE MALLOY
The wonderful vocalist from the Bronx has released a unique song that provides both the reason and proof as to why people all over the world have recently been drawn to Gospel and Christian music. Please Don’t Go presents the public on a plate with the destructive self-reliance most of us are hammered with since childhood and consequentially the sense of assured rightful direction when surrendering to God.
16. BEST VOCALIST: LEWIS BANKS
Lewis Banks is an artist capable of displaying a wide array of emotions through the use of his R&B voice. The Rochester, New York-based singer, songwriter is seeing exponential growth towards the very end of 2021 having won as a matter of fact the Blue Rhymez Entertainment Artist Of The Month Award for November 2021.
17. BEST COUNTRY ARTIST: ALEX SMART
The definition of an instantly likable artist. Alex Smart sings his wife’s praises, adores his son, and appreciates the life he’s been blessed to live on basically all of his records. The singer, instrumentalist, and lyricist from Greenville, South Carolina, makes Americana, Country, and Folk aficionados proud.
18. BEST COUNTRY SONG: HE JAKE BRAKES BY KARRIELYNN
This record came as the most pleasant surprise of 2021. We discovered the artist rather accidentally on Facebook and were amazed at the authentic storyline and powerful yet warm vocals of KarrieLynn. The songstress is especially remarkable when you pay attention to the lyrics and realize she’s got plenty of humor.
19. BEST PRODUCED RECORD: VERTIGO BY JOSHUA FLORES
Albeit being an exceptional songwriter and vocalist, Joshua Flores’s production skills are a threat to everyone else in the indie industry. He’s never marketed himself as a full-on producer but we know there are many who would pay the talent to mix and master their records. Vertigo is proof of Joshua’s proficiency in everything audio.
20. BEST MUSIC VIDEO: NOTHIN’ WRONG BY HUNTER ROOT
Last year’s winner of the Best Acoustic Artist title, Hunter Root, dazzled his fans in 2021 with the release of Nothin’ Wrong. An acoustic and visual masterpiece of graphic simplicity that is rooted in strength and a high level of self-assurance.
21. BEST MANAGEMENT: COLLEGE OF HIP HOP KNOWLEDGE, AUSTIN, TX
Officially led by Jason Anderson-Ebener (Jsun The Prophesor), The College of Hip Hop Knowledge LLC is a record label and collective of Hip Hop artists mainly concentrated around Austin, Texas. From locally organized events, battles, donations, and music NFTs, Jason Anderson-Ebener seems to further his artists’ interests more than anyone we’ve followed throughout 2021.
Congratulations to all 21 winners and we’re looking forward to all of you reaching new heights in your career paths in 2022!
With much respect and admiration,
Blue Rhymez Entertainment
Dec 10th, 2021.
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