“Welcome to My City” was the most fitting anthem for opening act Drumma Boy, Miscellaneous, Yung Kee, Kinfolk Thugs, DJ Lil Larry, and J1 to perform to set the show on fire. The SEAs was a weekend of “firsts” as this year marks the first time in the SEA’s seven year history that it was held within Memphis city limits. Participants and the Memphis community also came together for the first time at a charity fashion show benefiting L.E.A.D (Life Enrichment and Development.) In Addition, there were a lot of first time attendees in the building and the Hip Hop community in Memphis welcomed the SEA’s with open arms. Several attendees felt that the SEA’s was a good look for Memphis and a great place to host any future SEA shows. Attendee and model for the “Rip the Runway” benefit show Kaysee Martin says, “this is my first time at the SEA’s and I’m having a great time. I hope to be there next year.” Some of the other performers to bless the stage were Finess da Boss, Malaki , Sparkdawg, and R&B singer Skai. Memphis is known as the Home of the Blues, home of the poplar A&E show 1st 48, and now possibly the home of all the upcoming Southern Entertainment Awards.
An event showing this kind of recognition for independent artists and DJs has definitely filled a long over-due void in the Hip Hop world. The SEA’s honor the "Who's Who" of Entertainment in the South and after starting out with only 20 award categories in 2004, The SEA’s has grown immensely and made tributes in 84 categories ranging from model of the year to producer of the year. After a successful weekend of industry panels, showcases and a benefit fashion show The SEA’s may have found a permanent home. Co-founder Janiro Hawkins II stated that, “this weekend would have not been successful without the help and support from Memphis; from the media, to the Arts Commission, the Mayor, the Convention Bureau, and all the businesses along Main Street to Beale Street. We are very pleased with the outcome and we will be back next year. We hope that Memphis continues to support us as we prepare for the 8th installment of the Southern Entertainment Awards and Conference.”The Southern Entertainment Awards premiered in 2004 and six years later they are continuing to make a stamp in the Hip Hop community by honoring the hottest emerging deejays, producers, and rappers in the South. The SEA's have continually expanded and broadened in scope and impact. During this past weekend the SEAs announced its partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee and Full Throttle. The SEA’s are currently backed by over 400 DJs including the Core Djs and Tjs Djs, plus 200 Independent Record Labels. The founders of the Awards show Janiro Hawkins II and his partners, Jesse Johnson (DJ Infamous) & Brent Buford (DJ Outlaw) select the winners based on Nominations submitted and voted on by the general public on southernentawards.com .
Industry Power Player- Female, served as the official host of the city for the SEA’s. When asked about the show she stated that, “The SEA’s being held in Memphis was a great way to bridge the Memphis Music scene with many powerful key players in the entertainment industry. The SEA’s are welcomed back to my city anytime.”
Spotlight on SEA’s Memphis Winners
Indie Producer of the year- Drumma Boy (2 time recipient)Old Skool DJ of the year –Carebear
Slept on DJ of the year- DJ 007
Impact DJ of the Year for his contribution to music- DJ BOOGALOO
