Maybe it’s just me.. but I was thrown off for about 5 minutes today when I read that Justin Bieber was nominated for a BET Award this year. I literally was frozen in my chair. The dude is, like, the whitest of the white you can get, which is a little odd considering the BET Awards’ charter is something along the lines of recognizing the achievements of Black and minority artists in entertainment.

But I admittedly didn’t give Justin Bieber a chance… a couple of Youtube searches later this kid ain’t bad! So for that hasty prejudgment, JB I salute you, as well as the other white artists that have broken into the BET Awards with a nomination.

Robin Thicke, nominated for 2007 Best Male R&B Artist of the Year

The son of Alan Thicke (a.k.a. Mr. Seaver of Growing Pains), Robin Thicke was relatively an unknown songwriter with a moderately successful album in his debut, A Beautiful World. I remember the lead single “When I Get You Alone”’s music video being on heavy rotation, back when he was only known as Thicke, wondering, “who is this guy?” It was some white dude on a bicycle singing his ass off on top of a disco joint. Although his debut album was domestically slept on, he garnered enough attention to gather Pharrell Williams’ interest who in-turn signed him to a deal with Star Trak/Interscope. The Evolution of Robin Thicke was released February 2007 and with 2 strong singles in “Wanna Love U Girl” and “Lost Without U” he enjoyed a spot among the Billboard Top 10, with a number 1 spot on the Billboard R&B. Although he didn’t win the BET Award, he went on to win a Soul Train award for The Evolution of and “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” at the Vibe Awards, to go with the many nominations at various award shows that year.

He’s still touring today and still making music. I’ve seen him live.. the dude knows how to sing. If you get a chance, check him out. Oh, and I forgot to mention… his wife is smoking hot.

Justin Bieber, nominated for 2010 Best New Male Artist of the Year

I can’t hate on the kid’s hustle. While most children his age were out in playgrounds playing hopscotch (is that what these kids do these days??), lil’ J.B. was learning how to play various musical instruments and perfecting singing and writing music. His mother took note of her son’s talent and decided to share it with the world by posting him singing Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” on YouTube, and the rest is history. He got the attention of Scooter Braun who happened to be working on a joint venture with Usher, and they signed him to a deal. Millions of teenage girls, and probably a lot of adults too, can thank them. At 16, the world is his for the taking.

Eminem, nominated for 2001 Best Video of the Year “Stan”, 2003 Best Male Hip Hop Artist of the Year, 2003 Best Video of the Year “Lose Yourself”

Let’s be honest.. when you heard back in 1998 there was this new white rapper named Eminem, I bet most of you thought, “what? Vanilla Ice is back?” And when you heard the kid was signed with Dr. Dre, I bet you got a little intrigued. When I heard Enimem’s freestyle on the now defunct Friday Night Flava radio show I knew this dude was special. He was unorthodox, rhyming about things you were not used to hearing about.. so when The Slim Shady LP was released, there was a good buzz. 4 album releases and millions of albums sold later… Eminem sits among hip hop royalty… rapper, producer, actor. If that isn’t enough, he’s also managed an unknown rapper known as 50 Cent.

Justin Timberlake, nominated for 2003 Best Male R&B Artist of the Year and 2003 Best New Male Artist of the Year

From the Mickey Mouse Club to world domination, Justin Timberlake has had an awesome career. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, this Justin got his big break singing on Star Search under the name Justin Randall (going with his first and middle name). Disney preceded to snatch him from Memphis and shipped him to Orlando to join the cast of the New Mickey Mouse Club where he would sing alongside other Mouseketeers J.C. Chasez, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. At the end of the show’s run, a dude named Lou Perlmann pitched the idea of creating a boy band to Justin. You might remember the name of the band… I think it was called *NSYNC, or something like that. A couple of global tours later, Justin decided to go solo. With the help of Pharrell Williams, Timbaland and Brian McKnight, J.T. smashed his boy band persona with his debut album Justified. The sophomore album “FutureSex/LoveSounds” further cemented his stardom with chart-topping singles. He also starred in a few movie roles as hosted Saturday Night Live. If anyone has broken barriers in the entertainment world, it’s this guy.

Travis McCoy pulls Bruno Mars onstage to rock a live performance of Travis’ hit song making waves right now “Billionaire.” Lovin’ the quick Barret Strong cover right before “Billionaire”.

Travis McCoy ft. Bruno Mars – Billionaire (Live at Brooklyn Bowl) from Good*Fella Radio on Vimeo.

Sex Room ft Trey Songz(Behind the Scenes) from DTP TV on Vimeo.

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90s rapper Apache, of “Gangsta Bitch”-fame, died today. His music will be remembered.

On Friday, the Apache rapper famous for the hit single “Gangsta B—-” passed away due to an “undisclosed, protracted illness”. Apache whose real name was Anthony Teaks was part of the Flavor Unit rap crew and appeared on the album “45 King Presents: The Flavor Unit”. Apache’s hit song “Gangsta B”, produced by A Tribe Called Quest, made it as high as #11 on Billboard’s Hot Rap singles back in 1992.

It’s been noted by the co-founder of Flavor Unit Records that Apache was the string that brought other famous rap acts together for the Unit including Queen Latifah and Naughty by Nature. Other groups and rappers who were in “The Unit” included Freddie Foxxx, Chill Rob G, Confidential and Lakim Shabazz.

The Apache rapper had just 1 album to his credit, 1992’s “Apache Ain’t S-” which went as high as #66 on the US charts. He also released a follow up single in 1993 “Do Fa Self”. In addition to his own albums he made guest rap appearances on albums by 2PAC, Naughty by Nature and Fat Joe.

RIP to Anthony Teaks aka Apache, whose official age is still being acquired by various sources.

via Gather.com

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The People Under the Stairs have been grinding it out on this hip hop biz for a minute. Check out this dope video for their single “Trippin’ At The Disco”

Bonus!

Here they take a minute from their busy schedule (touring, shooting a new music video) to sit down and talk to VIMBY, reintroducing themselves to us as well as their music video concept.

Check out their Myspace for more music.

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DJ Sleeper hit the internets with his signature 10 minute mix on video way back in September, but I’m barely getting around to checking it out…boy was I missing out!  He showcases some deft turntablism skills along with the most energy I’ve ever seen someone mixing with when they’re outside the club environment.  Click above to watch the vid.

DJ Sleeper Twitter

DJ Sleeper Official Website

Tracklisting

Bag Raiders — Shooting Stars
Beach Boys — California Girls
Cassie – Me & U
Starks & Nacey – Summer Madness
The Mon tanas + DJ Roland Clark — Music Talking (Fred Falke Remix)
Dj Gero – Savate (Kazey N Bull dog Remix)
Cut Copy – Far Away (Bag Raiders Remix)
Major Lazer – Pon De Floor feat. VYBZ Kartel
Major Lazer — Pon De Floor (Diplo Rap Remix)
Major Lazer – Pon De Floor (Vinnie, Donnie & Sjakie remake)
Wolfgang Gartner — Wolfgang’s 5th Symphony — Original Mix
Kazey & Bulldog — For Da Real Gs — French Fries Remix
The Presets — This Boy’s In Love (Zombie Nation Remix)
Justin Martin, Claude Von Stroke — Beat That Bird — Original Mix
Shazam — Pool Party 2008
Scottie B & King Tutt – African Chant (Top Billin remix)
Michael Jackson — Rock With You (Freemasons Mix)
Deadmau5 — Moar Ghosts N Whatever