Regardless of the uproar that the Mike Jones/Trae The Truth fight caused beforehand [click to read], the 2008 Ozone Awards in Houston TX came through with a peaceful ceremony that showed love to the south’s finest while paying tribute to one of its favorite fallen soldiers. The 3rd annual awards show and conference, spearheaded by Ozone founder Julia Beverly and TJ of TJs DJs, continues to become one of the industry’s most sough after events because of its ability to aim the spotlight on those often ignored by mainstream media outlets while also being known as one of the first outlets to show artists like Rick Ross, Plies and Trick Daddy love.
Lil Wayne won two awards for Best Rap Artist and Best Lyricist while DJ Khaled also claimed two for DJ of the Year and TJs DJs Hustler. One of the more unique awards – the Pimp C award – was handed to David Banner for being the “Trillest.” Although gracious, Banner would motion that the award go to Scarface and would create a moment in time that Ozone can claim all to itself.
The Pimp C tribute proved to be a touching event as artists like Big Boi, David Banner, Too Short and others performed some of Pimp’s most well known verses. Bun B would speak to the crowed and urge them to never forget while Pimp’s son and mother took to the stage and closed the tribute as a photo flip book was shown.
Not all of the awards would be given out on this night however. The heightened security caused by the Jones and Trae fight caused a number of Awards to not be given out during the ceremony but were handed out afterwards. Julia Beverly spoke to HipHopDX regarding the security issues that caused problems for the awards.
“It’s funny how it’s only the bloggers that DIDN’T attend the event are trying to portray it as some kind of all-out war. Despite the Mike Jones/Trae skirmish and DJ Vlad confronting Rick Ross (he should’ve known better) the weekend went really, really smoothly,” Beverly said. “It was a lot more organized than previous years, and truthfully the problems we had at the start of the awards were CAUSED by the Houston Police Dept and we are considering legal action. But the overwhelming majority of attendees were pleased at the networking they accomplished, the fun they had at the parties, and the performances at the award show. I’m actually really surprised at how so many websites are trying to spin this into something negative.”
Here’s the complete list of winners from the 3rd Annual Ozone Awards
BEST RAP ALBUM
Rick Ross – Trilla
BEST RAP ARTIST
Lil Wayne
BEST R&B ARTIST
Chris Brown
BEST RAP GROUP
UGK
BEST LYRICIST
Lil Wayne
BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
Shawty Lo
BEST RAP/R&B COLLABORATION
Usher f/ Young Jeezy “Love In This Club”
CLUB BANGER OF THE YEAR
Webbie f/ Lil Boosie & Lil Phat “Independent”
MIXTAPE MONSTER AWARD
Trae
MOST SLEPT ON ARTIST
Z-Ro
PIMP C AWARD (TRILLEST ARTIST)
David Banner
TJ’s DJ’s HUSTLER AWARD
DJ Khaled
TJ’s DJ’s TASTEMAKER AWARD (Trendsetter in music, fashion/style, etc.)
T-Pain
BEST VIDEO
UGK f/ Outkast “International Players Anthem”
DJ OF THE YEAR
DJ Khaled
BEST MIXTAPE / STREET ALBUM
Tie:
B.G. & DJ Drama – Gangsta Grillz: Hood Generals
Chamillionaire – Mixtape Messiah 3
BEST PRODUCER
Polow the Don
BEST RAP ARTIST (WEST COAST)
The Game
BEST RAP GROUP (WEST COAST)
DPG (Dogg Pound)
BEST RAP ALBUM (WEST COAST)
Snoop Dogg “Ego Trippin”
LIVING LEGEND AWARD
J Prince
PATIENTLY WAITING: FLORIDA
Brisco
PATIENTLY WAITING: GEORGIA
B.O.B.
PATIENTLY WAITING: TEXAS
Lil Will
PATIENTLY WAITING: MISSISSIPPI
Lil C
PATIENTLY WAITING: ALABAMA
Jackie Chain
PATIENTLY WAITING: LOUISIANA
Mack Maine
PATIENTLY WAITING: TENNESSEE
All Star
PATIENTLY WAITING: CAROLINAS
Snook Da Rokk Star
PATIENTLY WAITING: KENTUCKY
Hurricane
PATIENTLY WAITING: CALIFORNIA
The Jacka
PATIENTLY WAITING: ARIZONA
Willy Northpole