With major award shows approaching like the BET and NBA player awards, we felt is would be dope to handout out some awards to highlight those individuals who contribute in making Chicago hiphop culture great and unique. Awards were given out based upon each artist, producer and influencer performance in 2018-19. The award winners were selected by members of the media, DJs, PR reps and other local influencers. scroll down to view the 2019 Buzz Award Winners.

BEST ARTIST  (MVP): JUICE WRLD

Riding the wave of his smash single “Lucid  Dreams” Juice WRLD held his own, and earned the rights to be MVP.

Nominees: Gherbo, Lil Durk, Kanye West, Dreezy, Famous Dex

BEST SONG: Envy Me by Calboy

The envy me song was a track that took the city by storm. Released in late August as a part of the southside rapper’s Wild boy fridays rrelease, it instantly became a banger. FBG Slide was a record that came a close 2nd. 

Nominees: SLIDE by FBG DUCK, LUCID DREAMS by Juice Wrld, POPOUT Polo G & Lil Tjay, SWERVO by Gherbo, JAPAN by Famous Dex, HOMEBODY by Lil Durk.

BEST PLATFORM: WHATS THE WORD

Many may think this is bias, but we didn’t have a vote. A committee of 20+ voters decided that we were the best platform this year pushing the Chicago culture forward.

Nominees: Illanoize Radio, Power 92, WGCI, Fake Shore Drive, Lyrical Lemonade, Urban Grind TV

BEST MALE INFLUENCER: DJ PHARRIS & TONE KAPONE

Two of the top radio personalities in the city, it came to know surprise that these two tied. DJ Pharris the king of the south and the most know influencer that Chicago has to offer, outside of Ryan Henry. DJ Pharris illustrated his influence numerous times over the past year by winning The Midwest DJ of The year at the Global Spin Awards, hosting an Iconic Kanye West Interview and officially launching his new label This Is Chicago Music Group.

Tone Kapone on the other hand is the downtown night life King, his deal with Hennessy has made him a national influencer and a hometown favorite. Tone biggest moments in came during an Iconic interview with Nipsey Hussle, addressing the clout chaser DJ Akademics. Tone won over the fans when he announced his relationship with Real House Wives of Atlanta’s Phaedra Parks. He is a Dish Nation television representative and frequent member of the the Fox 32 news crew.

Nominees: Korporate, Ryan Henry, Hebrew Brantley, Andrew Barber, SeanDale,

BEST FEMALE INFLUENCER: KENDRA G

Kendra G is not a Chicago native, but the WGCI morning show host has made her name in the Chicago community. As a role model to African American women in media in the city Kendra G defines the colorism stigma that women with darker skin tones cannot flourish In entertainment.

Nominees: Ari Fletcher, Maha, Charmaine, Brooke Mackie, Englewood Barbie.

BEST PRODUCER – KANYE WEST

Kanye West’s fans may have mixed feeling about him because of his recent political views. If you separate the music from his political views Ye snapped. From The GOOD Music 7 song album run, creating hits with Migos, Travis Scott, Christina Augila, YNW Melly and More!

Nominees: Hitmaka, CBMix, D.Brooks Exclusive, C.Sick

BEST MUSIC VIDEO : JUICE WRLD “LUCID DREAMS” DIR BY COLE BENNETT

A Juice WRLD and Cole Bennett collab had no choice to win, these two creators provided a dope visual for one of the biggest records of 2018.

Nominees: Lil Zay Osama “Changed Up”, Chimeka – Champagne Showers, King Louie – Just Relax, Tobi Loui Ft Smino – Darling, Valee -“Womp Womp”

PUT ON FOR MY CITY: HOTROD

Hotrod is the Chicago radio rookie, December 2018 making a full year since he took over the full-time evening position on Power 92 Chicago radio. Once Hotrod got his seat, he never looked back, his Lit Pit and “What’s Hotrod” feature has provided a unique platform for rising musicians to obtain radio play. Outside of radio, Hotrod allow various creatives opportunities to display their talents. Creatives from photographers, videographers, bloggers and graphic designers. Hotrod is the creator of Pep Rally Take Over, a non profit organization that connects children with various entertainers resulting in a pretty amazing experience.

Nominees: DJ Pharris, Cody Mack, Nayr Creates, Andrew Barber, and Mark Hubbard.

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE: ANN MARIE

Ann Marie delivered the most trending R&B content during this time period, with singles such as Handle It & Little secret. She defiantly made her mark.

Nominees: Tink, Dreezy, Jeremih

BEST ALBUM: JUICE WRLD’S GOOD BYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE

After being sign to Interscope, Juice WRLD came out the gate swinging with his debut album that featured tracks such as Lucid Dreams, All Girls are the same, Armed and Dangerous Ft Lil Uzi Vert + More.

Nominees: Saba “Care for Me”, G Herbo “Swervo”, Lil Durk “Signed to the Streets 3” , Kanye West “Ye

BEST VIDEO DIRECTOR: COLE BENNETT

The Chicagoland area is filled with plenty dope music video directors, but Cole Bennett won this award by a land slide. His recent uploads included Juice WRLD, Kevin Gates, Cardi B, BlueFace , Wiz Khalifa, Future, Kanye West + More!

Nominees: Laka Films, Dgainez, J visuals, LakeShore HY, Royal. Media, Dog Food Media, Strip Mall productions.

BEST PROJECT NONE ALBUM: BIG DREEZ

The response Dreezy got from this project was stellar, many thought it was her album but it wasn’t. She still didn’t fail to deliver.

Nominees: Valee “Good Job You Found Me”, Lil Durk “Just Cause Y’all Waited”, Tink “Pain and Pleasure EP” Queen Key “Eat My Pussy”.

TOP BREAKOUT ARTIST: JUICE WRLD

This freshman won MVP, so its without a doubt he was going to win this award. The votes were very close though, Calboy came an extremely close second.

Nominees: Calboy, Lil Zay Osama, Polo G, Ann Marie, Valee

BEST FEMALE ARTIST: DREEZY

Dreezy is the real deal and over the past year she has proven that she deserves to be mentioned with the elite in the hiphop game when it comes to female spitters.

Nominees: Tink, Queen Key, No Name, Ann Marie, Chimeka

ALL HIPHOP TEAMS