2022 Vermont Hip Hop Awards: The Results
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time once again.
Many surprises in the mix this year, including some ridiculous ties that all emerged in the last half hour of voting.
This was decided by 93 votes out of 141 eligible voters, a turnout rate of 66% — so, roughly on par with any given Presidential Election here in these United States. I’ll take it.
Artist of the Year: North Ave Jax
Runner-up Tie: Jarv and Konflik
No question about it, 2022 was shaped by the success story of North Ave Jax. Month after month, he was the most visible name around, racking up wins and growing a fanbase far beyond the Green Mountains. What he’s got in common with Jarv and Konflik is winning teams. As much as success in the music industry hinges upon talent, it is built with teams.
Most Improved: Mavstar
Runner-up Tie: Hakim XOXO and Heady Betty
It’s not like Mavstar is some rookie. With two LPs and years of shows under his belt, he’s been a familiar face in the BTV scene for a long time. But there was widespread consensus that he has levelled up in 2022, with many voters citing both his improved stage show / presence, and his pro grade video for “Alpha Centauri,” a Nastee produced banger co-starring mountain man legend Humble. He’s also been expanding into hosting and promoting shows.
Best Emcee: Konflik
Runner-up: Jarv
When it comes to microphone control, the crown didn’t budge this year. Konflik retains the title, although Jarv was coming very close behind. Both emcees are widely respected by every generation of artists here in the 802, and that kind of universal appeal is part of what makes a legend a legend. Oh, and proving it live every single time you perform. Kids, stop rapping over your vocals. This ain’t karaoke.
Best Producer: Rico James
Runner-up: Es-K
Rico James took this by a comfortable margin, which speaks to his reach, his work ethic, and most of all, his sheer visibility in 2022. Dude was everywhere, and that kind of effortless buzz takes a ton of prep work. And if anyone knows all about that, it’s Es-K, one of the hardest, most consistent workers in 802 history. Both of these beatsmiths are human batteries and huge assets to our scene.
Best Group: 99 Neighbors
Runner-up: Pleasant Boys
99 Neighbors held on to the title, thanks to sporadic solo sidework and some monumental live sets. Remarkably, newcomers Pleasant Boys were not far behind, with A2VT just two votes away from yet another tie. Still, with the 99 Neighbors team gearing up for bigger things than ever in 2023, this is clearly going to remain one of the hardest categories to crack.
Best DJ: DJ Kanganade
Runner-up: David Chief
Once again, DJ Kangande took this by one of the biggest margins of the entire Awards. David Chief was a strong second, but Kanga’s tireless work ethic and constant visibility at shows make him hard to beat. What really seals the deal, though, is his turntablism skills, with a range and depth of technique that is simply unmatched in the 802. An all around, true school, hip hop DJ.
Best Graf Artist: CAPES
Runner-up: Eskae1
A well-deserved upset this year, as CAPES of Anthill Collective took the win by an impressive margin. Especially considering that most voters still admit that Eskae1 — aka Anthill Collective and Green Door Studio lynchpin Scottie Raymond — is the only 802 graf artist they know. Thanks to some killer wall work, a strong social media presence, and a prominent cameo in the latest music video from Konflik, CAPES has hugely raised his profile in 2022. Here’s to the third element of hip hop being even more visible in 2023.
Best Verse: Jarv - "Getting You Up To Speed"
Runner-up: Rivan - "Pilot"
Fun Fact: Rivan actually got the most votes for “Best Verse” this year. But because those voters didn’t agree whether his best verse was on Robscure’s “Pilot” or Fattie B’s “Gladiators,” Jarv took the win for his god mode dexterity on “Getting You Up To Speed.” Getting nominated twice is both a flex and a blessing, then. Rivan will definitely be on the ballot next January … and so will Jarv. The real question is, who else is going to step up their game this year when the bar keeps getting raised?
Best Song: TIE. North Ave Jax - "Eastside" and Robscure - "Pilot"
Runner-up: Konflik - "Shine"
The inescapable North Ave Jax anthem “Eastside” held on to a wide lead for so long I was stunned to realize this morning that Robscure’s blistering banger “Pilot” had caught up. Close behind was Konflik’s smooth soul jam “Shine” featuring El Da Sensei. This category is always a huge spread, so standing out this much is a serious achievement.
Best Album: Fattie B - GUMBO
Runner-up: North Ave Jax - LaZy, but I have goals
Another last minute victory: Fattie B came from behind to snatch Best Album, narrowly beating out the major label debut of North Ave Jax. No question, that win was largely thanks to the votes of certified Old Heads™, but it was impressive to see how much love both albums got from a wide cross-section of the scene. Both albums are also career milestones, and high water marks in the increasingly busy history of Vermont Hip Hop.
Best Music Video: TIE. Asah Mack - "Checkmate" and Jarv - "Blue"
Runner-up: North Ave Jax - "Eastside Remix"
Just like with Best Album, I was stunned to realize that Asah Mack had caught up with Jarv, who was in the lead from the very start for his high-concept and extremely funny “Blue.” While “Checkmate” is a simpler concept, it was executed perfectly and the track itself, of course, whumps. That said, I’m flat out surprised that North Ave Jax didn’t sweep this for his Hollywood size shoot for “Eastside” featuring Lil Tjay.
Best Live Performance: 99 Neighbors
Runner-up: Yung Breeze
This category was a “Best DJ” scale blowout. 99 Neighbors took an early lead that never wavered, and for good reason: the crew with 100+ flavors on deck put on one of the best stage shows Vermont has seen since the days of VT Union and The Aztext. With their meticulous production work and huge dynamic range, they’re aiming at becoming worldwide names. So it’s a wild contrast that Yung Breeze would have a healthy lead in second place, considering his live act is just one man bearing his soul and giving 110% on the mic. That’s still enough to move people. That’s still all it takes.
Photo courtesy of Matthew Thorsen for Seven Days
Andy "A_DOG" Williams Good Citizen Award: Melo Grant
Runner-up: Kelly Butts-Spirito
Finally, a super-close finish. Melo Grant is one of the single most important figures in the saga of Vermont Hip Hop, a constant presence for decades, a beacon of true school values, and an inspiration to several generations of talent now. It is hard to overstate the impact here, and impossible to overstate the esteem she is held in. (She’s also running for Burlington City Council come March, so consider this the first outright political endorsement for this lil’ website, too.)
Kelly Butts-Spirito, perhaps even better known as Love, Kelly had an incredible run in 2022, doing more to raise the visibility of Vermont Hip Hop than anyone in recent memory. Fall Fest was easily the biggest story of the year, and this ambitious young creative is only just getting started, too. He has worked hard to redefine what’s possible for our scene, and the energy and inspiration he’s given to the new wave of 802 talent will be felt for years to come.
Huge thanks to everyone who nominated and voted, and huge thanks to the dynamite team at Friends for A_Dog for their help, not to mention all of the good they do throughout our small state.