The fourth edition of the annual Hip-Hop World Awards will hold on 16 May, at the International Conference Centre Abuja, MidweekEntertainment can reveal.

Investigations revealed that the awards ceremony tagged “A prize to die for” will be anchored by the duo of Kemi Adetiba and Banky W.

Speaking on the reason behind taking the awards to Abuja, the CEO of Hip-Hop Awards, Ayo Animasaun said that it is a way of making the awards which debut in 2006 bigger and better.

Animasaun said that awards will be given in 21 categories namely: Album of the year, artiste of the year, song of the year, record of the year, producer of the year, best music video, best reggae dance hall album, best R&B pop album and best rap album.

Others are: best collabo, best rap singles, best vocal performance (male), best vocal performance (female) and others.

He said that the artistes to be given the awards are currently being screened by a team of selected music critics and practitioners commissioned by the organisers.

Past hosts of Hip-hop Awards include: Dare Art Alade (2006), Dbanj and Tana, 2007, Dakore Egbuson, and Basket Mouth 2008.

CATEGORIES FOR HIP HOP WORLD AWARDS 2009

HHWA1- Album of the Year

Best album (solo or group) in year under review that meets judges’ requirements of excellence (in every realm: song writing, production, rendition, promotion and acceptability (sales, popularity)

HHWA 2- Artiste of the Year

Most critically and commercially adjudged artiste in the year under review. Overall most successful artiste for the year under review.

HHWA 3- Song of the Year

Most popular song from an album in year under review. Decided by voting

HHWA4- Recording of the Year

Best single recording (on-air only or released) by artiste or group in year under review. Originality and production very essential

HHWA 5- Producer of the Year

The individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed album in the year under review. His CV for the year includes top notch tracks and production credits no one can fault.

HHWA6- Best Music Video (Award goes to Director)

Best conceptualist, best edited, best directed and most exciting video in year under review as voted by fans and decided by the jury.

HHWA7- Best Reggae/Dancehall Album

Best reggae or dancehall album in year under review

HHWA 8- Best R ‘n’ B/ Pop Album

Best R&B or pop album in year under review (by single individual or group)

HHWA9- Best Rap Album

Best album by a rap artiste or group in year under review

HHWA10- Best Collabo

Best R&B, Pop or hip hop collaborative track (including cameos) in year under review

HHWA11- Best Rap Single

Best single released on-air recording of a rap song

HHWA12- Best Vocal Performance (Male)

Single male artiste with most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album

HHWA 13- Best Vocal Performance (Female)

Single female act with most outstanding vocal performance on a single song or album

HHWA 14- Next Rated

Most promising upcoming officially unreleased act in the year under review

HHWA 15- Hip Hop World Revelation

Best new artiste in the year under review

HHWA 16- African Artiste of the Year (Non Nigerian Category)

Special award for an individual African artiste with the most outstanding album and astonishing achievements in year under

HHWA 17- Lyricist on the Roll

Rap Artiste with best lyrical depth and performance on a single song or album

HHWA 18- HIPHOP WORLD HALL OF FAME

Non competitive category

HHWA 19- BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS

Music video with the best and innovative special effects which helped push the concept of the video

HHWA 20- BEST STREET HOP

The most popular street-hop single in year under review

HHWA 21- BEST DIASPORA ACT

The most successful Nigerian artiste outside Nigeria in year under review

Kemin Adetiba-Host Hip Hop World Award 2009