TORONTO, Canada (www.umac.ca) - Sixteen-year-old singing sensation
Keshia Chante took centre stage earlier tonight at the 2004 Canadian Urban
Music Awards (CUMAs), where she walked away with awards for New Artist of the Year and Fan's Choice. Chante, whose impressive self-titled debut album spawned a string of hits, remained in the winner's circle as the video from her track 'Bad Boy', directed by video visionary Mr. X (formerly known as
Little X), garnered a prize for
Music Video of the Year. Mr. X was also honoured with CUMA's Special Achievement Award for his excellence as a video director and his positive representation of Canada's urban music scene on an international level.
Legendary vocalist Liberty Silver joined hosts Master T and Jully Black on stage throughout the evening as the show's narrator, taking the audience through the evolution of urban music. Stirring performances were delivered by Chante alongside fellow winner Ray Robinson, who won for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year and Blessed & Kardinal Offishall, who scored a victory for Reggae Recording of the Year for their sensational 'Empty Barrel' collaboration. Songwriter of the Year winner Haydain Neale (Jacksoul) also performed, as well as a host of nominees including Motion, Dione Taylor, Alpha Ya Ya Diallo, and Jully Black. The evening's proceedings, which took place at the John Bassett Theatre inside the Metro Toronto Convention Centre was a gathering of the 'who's who' in Canada's urban music industry.
Other CUMA winners for 2004 included K-OS, who was recognized for 'B-Boy Stance' as Hip-Hop Recording of the Year, The Clayton/Scott Group who won for Jazz Recording of the Year and. The CUMAs are the flagship event for the Urban Music Association of Canada (UMAC) and the most anticipated date on the urban music calendar.
'Today's star-studded all-day celebration combined with our strong broadcast partnership with CBC-Television has capped off an amazing year for UMAC and for urban music in Canada,' says UMAC President Trevor Shelton. 'We are so proud of the talent that we are able to showcase through this awards show.'
Earlier in the day, CUMA gave away trophies at a pre-show awards celebration luncheon at Planet Hollywood. The afternoon festivities, which were hosted by comedic sensation Kenny Robinson, was highlighted by the presentation of the 2004 CUMA Lifetime Achievement Award to pioneering promoter Denise Jones. Jones is perhaps best known for her groundbreaking efforts in carrying the torch for urban music in Canada. Jones & Jones remains a one stop shop for touring, talent development and the promotion of reggae and other genres of urban music to North American audiences.
Other CUMAs handed out in the afternoon included Mark Strong & Jemeni from FLOW 93.5 for Media Personality of the Year, Chris Smith for Manager of the Year, and Chris McKee (S.L. Feldman & Associates) for Concert Promoter/Booking Agent of the Year.
The 2004 CUMAs will be broadcast on CBC Television next Thursday, October 28, 2004 at 8pm and again at midnight.
The Canadian Urban Music Awards are generously supported by CBC Television, FLOW 93.5, FACTOR, Radio Starmaker Fund, The SOCAN Foundation, BMG Canada, EMI Music Canada, Galaxie, Hennessy and Shady Ltd.
A complete listing of the 2004 Canadian Urban Music Winners follows:
R&B Recording of the Year: Ray Robinson - "Missed Your Chance"
Hip Hop Recording of the Year: k-os - "B-Boy Stance"
Dance/Electronic Recording of the Year: Fierce & Coppola - "Make You Love Me"
Reggae Recording of the Year: Kardinal Offishall ft. Blessed - "Empty Barrel"
Soca Recording of the Year: Elsworth James - "Rock Toronto"
Jazz Recording of the Year: The Clayton/Scott Group - "On the Money"
Gospel Recording of the Year: Pat Francis & High Praise - "God is An Awesome God"
Global Rhythms Recording of the Year: K'Naan - "Soobax"
Francophone Recording of the Year: Muzion - "La Vi Ti Neg"
Spoken Word Recording of the Year: Nick Holder ft. Jemeni "No More Dating DJs"
International Artist of the Year: Beyonce
New Artist of the Year: Keshia Chante
Songwriter of the Year: Haydain Neale
Producer of the Year: Marcus Kane
Record Label of the Year: ViK Recordings/BMG Music Canada
Music Video of the Year: "B-Boy Stance" (k-os) - Directed by Micah Misner, Zedroo and k-os
DJ/DJ Crew of the Year: DJ Starting from Scratch
Media Personality of the Year: Mark Strong & Jemeni (FLOW 93.5 - Toronto)
Publication of the Year: Pound
Website of the Year: Hiphopcanada.com
Concert Promoter/Booking Agent of the Year: Chris McKee (S.L. Feldman & Associates)
Manager/Management Company of the Year: Chris Smith (Chris Smith Management)
Special Achievement Award Recipient: Mr. X (formerly known as Little X)
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Denise Jones, Jones & Jones Productions
Fan's Choice Award: Keshia Chante
