I’m not a big fan of award shows unless it’s going to be something genuine and giving thanks and praise to the scene and the individuals who count. This year the DnB Awards voting was open for anyone to be voted for, not a ticky box affair which had the potential for some interesting results however, it seems (rightly or wrongly) that the same people have been voted the ‘Best’. Is this because they are the best? Of course but how about taking the Best DJ crown from Andy C, it’s highly unlikely! It does however give you something to think about… if Andy C has been voted number one again, how did he do it? Hard work, determination… yes… but how about the history… you’re not going to vote off Andy C because he was there from the start. The history of the scene runs so deep.

So to give the awards something new, why not bring it up to date by removing, altering and adding some categories? If the awards are to be taken more seriously, get some serious competition in there. Make it easier for people to be toppled from the top by encouraging the underdogs to be inspired.

Change –

• Best Magazine - Isn’t ATM the only D&B based mag left in print so it was the only choice? Should this category be binned now? Should they alter the title to ‘Best Magazine (Print and Internet)’ to open it back up to KMag and other online Magazines. Even extend the category to ‘Best Website’ or ‘Best Forum’. A decent website can be built, marketed and people involved in a year so why not challenge for the top by new web gurus out there?
• Best Track – Well hold on a minute, you’ve got categories for ‘Best Liquid DJ’ and ‘Best Old School DJ’ so why not extend this to ‘Best Jump-up Track’ or is that breaking up the scene or causes issues with the naming of the sub-genres? I personally didn’t like the track voted ‘Best’ this year, would Jonny L’s Evah be number one here… I think it could be if you had a ‘Dancefloor Smasher’ category!
• The number of ‘individual’ awards - Oh come on, it’s about the music yeah so how may categories were for the music produced? TWO! Give praise for the music not just the people.

Now for my categories…

• Biggest Contributor to the Scene –  This could be such a great category for the people who have done something amazing during the year. Created a new legendary club night, worked tirelessly booking international DJs to play in the UK, supported the playing of vinyl only… anything that could be recognised, should be recognised. And if you were wondering who I’d vote for – Tony Colman et al for all the Podcasts, the Label getting Sweet Harmony into the charts and putting on club nights all over the UK.
• Best International Influence for the Scene or Most Miles Covered for the love of DnB – Ok, long title but it get’s my point across. John B for all the miles he puts in to bring DnB to places like Russia. With a close runner up for ‘Bassline’ Smith and his Euro missions every weekend. Praise the hard work, the air miles and thousand capacity venues these guys have played to being you the most amazing nights.
• Best Seller of the Year – God knows what this would be but the numbers would be easy to find out and prove not via opinion but by fact.
• Best Lyrical Tune – This is obvious… make more vocal DnB to get the ladies singing along in clubs. More singing along, better atmosphere, more people want to go to the night, more ladies, prettier club nights… make sense doesn’t it?
• Unsung Hero of the Year – It could be anyone in this category, the door men of the club that make you feel welcome, the cloakroom lady who always has a smile at 6am, the sound guy who always makes the experience perfect.
• Best Crossover Tune Award – for the likes of tunes that have been played on Radio 1/1Xtra. Yeah, have a go at me but it’s how people find DnB if they’re not into it, it builds the scene, more people get involved etc…
• Best Vinyl DJ – I could go on all night here.
• Best Vocalist – Hellfire, give some credit to the singers out there!

Ok, I know some of these categories aren’t great but I want to prove a point. Give the producers, DJs, MCs and everyone involved in the scene something genuine to aim for. Strive to make the scene better by using these award shows for something great, not just a piss up and a couple of trophies.

Thanks for reading and I’d love it if you left a comment. It’s our scene, let’s make it even better in 2010.