All eyes in the Canadian music industry will be on the Phoenix Theatre in Toronto on August 1, when the Urban Music Association of Canada holds its Urban X-Posure Awards to honour the best in Canadian urban music.

Kardinall Offishall leads the way with five nominations, followed closely by the Baby Blue Soundcrew who have four. The ceremony will feature live performances by Baby Blue, Choclair, Thrust, K-OS, Londa Larmond, Lenn Hammond, and others. The awards will honour the best in hip-hop, R & B, dance, reggae, and gospel music, as well as including industry-related categories like best promoter and best publication. The nominees for best hip-hop/rap recording are Classified’s Union Dues, Kardinall Offishall’s BaKardi Slang, and DJ Mastermind’s Bump featuring Choclair and Mr. Roam.

The evening will be co-hosted by Muchmusic’s Namugenyi Kiwanuka and Canadian comic Russell Peters. If you’d like to go, contact ticketmaster.