Not Your Grammy’s Grammys

The 1st Annual DMV awards are going down this Sunday, January 14, and they’ve got nothing to do with getting your car inspected. Promise.

The DMV (that’s short for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) Entertainment Hip-Hop and Music Awards, organized by D.C. rap luminary Brother Maniac, is bringing together some of the best hip-hop, R&B, and go-go acts in the area, drawing artists from all different spheres of the local arts scene.

The MCs/live-instruments mix of Opus Akoben is nominated in the same “Best Band or Group” category as go-go band Familiar Faces. The jazzy hip-hop verse of the Poemcees is right next to the Southeast storytelling of Money for Life in the “Best Rap Group” contest. Other categories to watch: “Beast of Baltimore,” a concession to this region’s northern cousins; the charming, high-school-yearbook-esque “Most Likely To Succeed”; and the oh-so-thick “Best Male Rap Artist” race. The nominees include 20 Bello, Kingpin Slim, Multiple Man, Priest da Nomad, 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner Storm the Unpredictable, Tabi Bonney, and Whitefolkz.

There will be 24 award presentations and several live performances on an excellent, female-heavy bill: Gina Rose, Madam Madon, Porche’ 9-11, Shy Thoro, Durty Dy-Anna, Shellberaw, and Kyana, among others.

Ten bucks gets you in before 8 p.m., but even if you arrive late and have to shell out $15, it’s a pittance for the privilege of seeing some of the best artists in the area peforming and being honored. It’ll be like the BET Awards, ’cept you won’t have to watch Terrence and Rosci trying to dance.

1st Annual DMV Entertainment & Music Awards
Club Onyx, 817 Southern Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD.
$10-$15
Call 1 (888) 961-0111 for more information or click here.