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nominees<br />
PATIENTLY WAITING:<br />
FLORIDA<br />
Acafool (Tampa, FL)<br />
Tampa’s class clown put his “Hata Blockas” on and sparked both a radio<br />
frenzy and label bidding war.<br />
BloodRaw (Panama City, FL)<br />
Rejuvenated after winning a Federal court case, the Bangin’ Bay representative<br />
is back on the road with Young Jeezy and his CTE camp and taking<br />
full advantage of all opportunities.<br />
Plies (Ft. Myers, FL)<br />
Stirring up controversy with his bold “100% real nigga, dawg” campaign,<br />
Slip-N-Slide’s newest recruit rocked packed clubs throughout Florida<br />
without an album or a video.<br />
Treal (Orlando, FL)<br />
Central Florida’s hypest foursome, known for their crunk performances,<br />
stayed on their grind and landed in regular rotation on local radio.<br />
Triple J (West Palm Beach, FL)<br />
Arguably one of Florida’s top lyricists, Triple J has survived record label<br />
politics and gunfire and still managed to create a name for himself with<br />
witty rhymes and creative mixtape records.<br />
Young Cash (Jacksonville, FL)<br />
Jacksonville’s head honcho stayed on the scene this year with his Duval<br />
County Rockstars, dropped records with Webbie, Paul Wall, and Mike<br />
Jones, and landed a deal with SRC/Universal.<br />
Florida has had its spurts in hip-hop. Luke and the 2 Live Crew movement was the first, but fizzled out when the<br />
group broke up. 69 Boyz went platinum with their classic hit “Tootsee Roll.” Trick Daddy and Trina were soon to<br />
follow with their barrage of hits coming out of the MIA. Now Florida has Rick Ross at the forefront to show the<br />
world exactly how M-I-Yayo be hustlin’. However, for the first time in the state’s hip-hop history, the future looks<br />
bright with talent from all areas looking to break out and show the world that Florida is here to stay.<br />
Nicknamed the Gunshine State for the shape of the state, first up is Bloodraw hailing from Panama City. Soon after<br />
signing to Young Jeezy’s CTE label, Bloodraw was arrested, and eventually acquitted on drug charges. Working on a<br />
Gangsta Grillz mixtape as well as group U.S.D.A.’s album, Bloodraw is the leader to break North Florida.<br />
Five hours across the state is Duval County’s own Young Cash. Signed to SRC/Universal, he is patiently waiting to<br />
release his debut album. Recording a local hit track with Paul Wall, “Disco Ball,” Young Cash has much more to come<br />
from Jacksonville.<br />
Treal have been local stars for years ever since they dropped their Orlando classic “Orange County.” With their recent<br />
independent release “Crunk Tested and Approved,” Treal are ready to show the world what it is like to be crunk in a<br />
city that outsiders consider Mickey Mouse territory.<br />
Everyone across I-4 has their “Hatah Blockas” on. One of the few Tampa artists to break through and receive local radio<br />
support after years of hard work, Acafool found his niche and has the Hatah Blockas shades craze spreading throughout<br />
Florida. It’s only a matter of time before he blows.<br />
One of the more underappreciated artists in Florida, Triple J reps West Palm Beach to the fullest. He wasn’t even one<br />
to appreciate his talents until after he was shot. He made a transition, but kept the streets locked. With his MLK BLVD<br />
album, he is sure to have labels hunting for him.<br />
Finally, “the hottest nigga in Florida” is the street’s own Plies. Hailing from Ft. Myers, Plies carries an “I don’t give a<br />
fuck” attitude with Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic backing him. This South Florida new breed of MC is destined to blow nationwide.<br />
With just this small group of Florida talent, who is to deny them as the next to shine<br />
- Leon Bailey<br />
ozone 18 awards