Bay Area entertainment entrepreneur Octavious Miller has big hopes for the West Coast hip-hop scene, and is putting his best foot forward by putting together the 3rd Annual West Coast Hip-Hop Awards August 21, 2010.
During the past two years, the ceremony was held in Portland, Ore., but it will be held this year at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. With the relocation, Miller expects an even bigger turnout.
“Tickets sold out last year and we’re expecting an even bigger turnout this year,” said Miller. “We invited all the West Coast artists, expect to see artist like E-40, Crooked I, C-Bo, Mack 10, Too Short and Snoop Dogg. The list goes on, there’s so many generations of rappers that will be in attendance, it’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
There will be various categories ranging from best new artist to artist of the decade, with the winners chosen by the fans.
“The whole event is fan driven; fans have been voting all year for each category. Fans can see all the nominees at westcoasthiphopawards.com and at our MySpace page,” said Miller.
The event will not only be a time for artist to be recognized for their contributions to the West Coast hip-hop scene, but part of the event will be a summit for upcoming artist to network with other artists and distributors.
“This is bigger than an award show, it’s a convention. I’d rather have distributors and independent record labels here than major label executives and A&R’s,” said Miller. “I always tell upcoming artists that it’s more beneficial to stay independent, that’s why I invite the distributors.”
Miller himself has worked marketing and promotions in the music business for more than 25 years and is the brother of former Rap-A-Lot/ Priority Records recording artist, Seagram Miller whom passed away in 1996.
Being the industry veteran he is, Octavious Miller believes this event is something the west coast hip-hop scene has been in need for a while.
“Over the last years, West Coast music was on a downward spiral. Artists stopped getting video and radio play, no magazine covers, or even write ups,” said Miller. “I think a lot of it had to do with politics. After 2Pac died, the industry didn’t want to deal with the so called “drama” that came with West Coast artists.”
Miller believes the West Coast Hip-Hop Awards is one step that will help bring west coast hip-hop back to the glory days of the 80s and 90s. He also recognizes the flaws of other events that were orchestrated to bring west coast artists together, and uses their mistakes as a learning lesson.
“This isn’t a rap summit, it isn’t the LA awards, and isn’t the Bay Area awards,” said Miller. “This event is for the whole West Coast, not just Cali, but the other states that represent the west as well.”
Previous west coast events only catered to rap, which is only one element of Hip-Hop, but the West Hip-Hop Awards is an event that will feature everything from rap performances to break dancing, graffiti, ciphers, and free-style battles.
Miller plans to bring the west coast hip-hop scene back to the forefront, and believes that dream will become reality by embracing west coast hip-hop pioneers and showcasing the newcomers. He also encourages fans to be active participants in events that promote their favorite artists.
“We must celebrate and promote our own to be viable in rap industry again, otherwise, our music is lost,”
For more information on this event, visit westcoasthiphopwards.com. Fans can buy tickets to the event at ticketswest.com