THE INAUGURAL This Is UK Rap Awards will take place in a digital setting later this year and the organisers have told the Voice Newspaper that thetime was right to ‘celebrate those who make our underground culture so influential to the mainstream’.

The live streamed online music awards which are the brainchild of Defenders Ent, will be showcasing the very best in UK Rap culture.  

Legends such as TY who sadly past this year have not been rightfully acknowledged for his contribution

Defenders Ent CEO Corey Johnson

This Is UK Rap Awards will be shown live on social media, transitioning away from the traditional physical award format towards a more innovative and fan-friendly approach.

Fans will be able to tune in at their own leisure, with awards being hand-presented to 13 category winners, all from their choice of iconic location.

This will take place throughout one week rather than in one night, making for a more shareable experience, boosting engagement across social media and mobile technology for both the winners and fans alike.  

Winners will be voted for by the public once nominations have been announced in July.

With the popularity and wide-ranging influence of UK Rap and urban culture possibly at its highest point yet, organisers believe these awards could not have come at a better time.

“I feel it’s about time that we not only support but more than anything celebrate those who make our underground culture so influential to the mainstream,” Defenders Ent CEO Corey Johnson enthused.

He added: “Legends such as TY who sadly past this year have not been rightfully acknowledged for his contribution to not just music but to our community and emerging acts.

“Rodney P, Mark B, Blade and others set the way for what we see now in Drill, Afro and Grime so the This is UK Rap Awards are a much needed, new school approach to highlighting those who are making the scene grow each and every year.

“Without the mines there would be no diamonds so time for the industry to invest in the grass roots talent. I’ve always invested in new genres, talent and creatives, and as the doors opened to me I felt I needed to open them for others.”

The awards not only acknowledge acts within the UK but also capture the culture at its peak and to celebrate both emerging and more established DJ’s, Rappers, Producers, Brands and more.

Johnson explains: “This is UK Rap have been promoting the genre and its emerging talent since 2010 with our first compilation This Is UK Rap Vol.1 ‘ back when we were just classed as Urban’.

“Now, through the hard work and passion of everyone involved, our scene has exploded into the mainstream.”

He added: “We wanted to celebrate this by pioneering a new way of handing out accolades to our favourite acts.

“With This Is UK Rap Awards 2020, we wanted to give the audience more say in who wins and to give them a completely different way to watch it and to be involved.”

More info here