www.ohiohiphopawards.com - go vote for all your favorites NOW!!!

We are always excepting music & press kits, so let anyone know that you think would qualify to send their packages to:

Attn: The Ohio Hip Hop Awards
1266 West 6th Street, Suite 203
Cleveland, Ohio
44113

Spread the word!

Nomination Requirements.

What does it take to earn a nomination from the Ohio Hip Hop Awards?

First you have to make yourself known to us. To do this you can submit either a press kit or an epk to us.

What exactly is a press kit or an epk?

Typically press kits are a collection of promotional materials such as music, singles, photos, fliers, artist biography, video clips, magazine articles, contact information, and so on. Often times when artists are launching a new album they release press kits to radio stations, newspapers, magazines, web sites, the music academy, dj’s, and promoters.

Press kits vary in style and creativity. Some times the press kit is presented in the same fashion of the artist’s marketing scheme; in other cases press kits can be traditional, direct and to the point. Being creative is a great way to present your press kit to catch the attention of the person you are sending it to.

An epk is an electronic press kit that can be sent out online. The upside to sending an epk is the low costs of production while avoiding mailing charges. When making an epk, it is important to spend time on it as you would a physical package. Although epks are cheaper to send out they don’t hold the same value as a physical package. Usually a well put together and planned out press kit is more impressive to the person receiving it.

How do I submit my press kit?

You can submit material to 1266 W. 6^th St. Suite 203, Cleveland, OH 44113, or online to info@ohiohiphopawards.com with the subject “Artist Submission”.

Do you have to submit a press kit with your music?

No. You do not have to submit a press kit to the council, however all press kits are reviewed and processed. Press kits help the council get a feeling for the artist’s image along with their music. Also professional looking kits will naturally get more attention compared to a disc with a phone number written in marker.

How is an artist nominated?

 Artists are suggested by their fans on www.ohiohiphopawards.com between May 1^st and July 31^st.The suggestions and press kits are then reviewed to narrow down the ballot.

Having a tremendous amount of nominations doesn’t automatically mean that you will be nominated however. There are additional requirements such as product availability, release dates, credentials, and overall artist visibility. The council also researches artists across the state and has networking showcases in seven cities during the month of July. At these showcases artists and models are interviewed and press kits are taken in person.

What is the showcase and how can I enter?

Each year in July the Ohio Hip Hop Awards hosts a showcase in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown. At the showcases artists will compete in concert for a chance to perform on the awards show stage in September along with a bio in the awards show program guide. The runner ups are given stage time the night before the awards at the pre party. Winners also get tickets to the awards for them and some guests. In addition to the performance competition there will also be an mc battle where any local battler can enter. The winner of the battle in each city will move on to the pre party and battle the semi finalists from the other showcases. The two finalists will then battle live on stage at the awards show for the title of best battle mc in Ohio.

 To register for the competition the artist contacts their local Ohio Hip Hop Awards representative or they can contact our office directly at 216-659-4780 or info@ohiohiphopawards.com. The registration fee for performing is $150. Artists get 25 tickets to the event priced at $10 each, 200 show fliers, a contract, an interview at the showcase, and an official form listing what they are being judged on. Each artists gets to perform 1 song up to 5 minutes long and they are judged on: Song creativity, use of original beats, stage presence, appearance, lyrics, flow, sound quality, whether or not they brought promotional materials to the event, use of props, crowd interaction, crowd reaction, and mic control. Artists are asked to arrive at the event on time for sign ins and so that they don’t miss their chance to perform.

The registration fee for the battle is $25 and the mc get 5 tickets to the event, 50 show fliers, a contract and the rules to the battle. Models are also asked to come out and submit their press kits to the awards.
Models will be interviewed and their press kits accepted at the showcases to help determine the ballot.

Im an R&B/Spoken Word artists, can I still compete?

Yes. R&B artists, spoken word artists, dance teams, and even live bands can enter.

Can I participate in more than one showcase?

Yes. Artists can enter into as many showcases as they want as long as they are able to travel to each location. This increases your chances of winning as well as gives you the opportunity to tour the state and network with artists in other cities.
When will the final ballot be online?

The final ballot will be made available at www.ohiohiphopawards.com on August 1^st 2008.

Do you accept votes offline?
 Offline votes can be conducted by OHHA staff only.No mailed ballots will be recognized.

Check out www.ohiohiphopawards.com Tickets available at ticketmaster.com