Hip-Hop Is Dead: The 2006 Mixtape Awards
By Los Hustles

This year the show was held at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY on December 7th. Reading like a who’s who of the hip hop world, attendees included Just Blaze, Busta Rhymes, Kid Capri, Clinton Sparks who won best club DJ and many others.

The night started with a performance by the Sugarhill Gang. The Gang, one of the few acts that were scheduled to perform and actually made it on stage was accompanied by a live marching band.

What started as a promising show quickly came to an end after rowdy crowds tried desperately to rush any signs of entry. Doors were quickly closed denying entrance to everyone leaving some of the nominees stuck outside in the confusion with the crowd. It was only a matter of time until the crowd found its way inside the theatre along with the madness. Not even respecting a moment of silence for founder Orpheus "Justo" Faison who tragically lost his life last year, the chaos ensued, setting a mood that not even comedian Donnell "Ashy Larry" Rawlings could lighten.

After the scuffles and the not-so surprising visit from the NYPD, it was obvious that the event that everyone had waited all year long for was over.

What everyone fails to recognize is all the hard work and people who came together to make that event happen.

“Now I know why BET moved the award show to Atlanta.” a statement by the legendary DJ Red Alert greeted with murmurs of agreement throughout the audience.

That was the last that was heard as the lights went on and the curtains down. Nas couldn’t have said it any better: “HIP HOP is dead”.

R.I.P. Justo
Shout out to DJ Warrior and the Cali Untouchables, Taje, and Etam from Queens finest Productions

Los Hustles
www.myspace.com/MusicIsMyHuStLe

No profanity, or inaproppriate remarks.