After a week of accolades, complaints, and debates (And almost 200+ comments), the end is here for the 2009 nappyafro Awards Week. Now we present you with all of the other awards we handed out this week. Sidenote: All of the categories doesn’t necessarily have winners (Unless noted), some we just listed the notable artist for 2009.

Man Of The Year: Jay-Z
Album Of The Year: Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
Mixtape Of The Year: Drake – So Far Gone
Certified Banger Of The Year: Rosa Acosta
Songs Of The Year (Staff Picks)

Best Collaboration: Drake feat. Eminem, Lil’ Wayne, & Kanye West – “Forever”
When you put Drake, Weezy, Em, & Kanye on the same track, your bound to win this award.
Runners Up:
Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys – “Empire State Of Mind”
L.E.G.A.C.Y. feat. Phonte, Chaundon, & Sean Price – “TKO”
Joell Ortiz feat. Crooked I, Joe Budden, & Royce Da 5′9″ – “Move On (remix)”
Birdman feat. Lil’ Wayne & Drake – “Money To Blow

Best Group: Slaughterhouse
Four talented lyricist make one super talented Hip-Hop super group.
Runner Up: Clipse

Breakthrough Artist: Drake
Who knew Wheelchair Jimmy from Degrassi would be one of the hottest rapper on the planet? Only one person had a better year in Hip-Hop.
Runners Up:
Wale
Kid Cudi
Nicki Minaj
Gucci Mane
Fashawn
Pill

Best Music Videos:
Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Nite”
Raekwon feat. Inspectah Deck, GZA, Ghostface Killah, & Method Man – “House Of Flying Daggers”
Jay-Z feat. Rihanna & Kanye West – “Run This Town”

Turn Yo Headphones Up Award:
Brother Ali – The Truth Is Here & Us
Two hot albums in the same year and most of the world still slept on Ali.

Best Album We Didn’t Review: Fashawn – Boy Meets World
We still wonder to this day how we missed out on this great album. Don’t worry though, we’re good at rectifying these type of things.

Best Beats:
Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)” [Produced by No I.D.]
Clipse feat. Kanye West – “Kinda Like A Big Deal” [Produced by DJ Khalil]
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C” [Produced by Just Blaze]

Best Producers:
Boi-1da (“Best I Ever Had”, “Forever”, “4 My Town (Play Ball)”, “Uptown”, “Mo Milly”)
Kanye West (“Run This Town”, “Brooklyn (Go Hard)”, “Make Her Say”, “History”, “Jockin’ Jay-Z”)
DJ Khalil (“Fear”, “Kinda Like A Big Deal”, “The One”, “Cuckoo”, “Imma Do It”)
DJ Premier (Tha Blaqprint, “Shake This”, “Cloud 9″, “What I Wanna B”, “Grand Royal”, “Dirty Game”)
J.U.S.T.I.C.E League “Maybach Music Part 2″, Magnificent”, “Guest House”, “Feel Like I’m Back”)

DMF Of The Year: Tiger Woods
We already touch on this but still, damn Tiger.
Runners Up:
Kanye West
Plaxico Burress
Lil’ Boosie
Gucci Mane

In 2008 it couldn’t be denied by anybody that it was the year of Weezy. With the release of his sixth album Tha Carter III, which saw accolades such as one million first week sales (3x Platinum to date), Grammy awards for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song (“Lollipop”), and Best Rap Solo Performance (“A Milli”), it was clear that Lil Wayne had finally reached the apex of the rap game and 2008 was his breakout year. While I provided my thoughts on Why Jay-Z Should Be Man Of The Year with his Glastonbury festival headlining performance, successful Heart Of The City tour (w/ Mary J. Blige), and $150 Million deal with Live Nation, it wasn’t enough to discredit Wayne from the achievements and accomplishments he had in the same year. 2009 was a different story though as Jay-Z got back to business and showed the industry and the world that at 40 years old, age ain’t nothing but a number.

This year had many contenders for the “Man Of The Year” title from President Barack Obama and his Nobel Peace Prize achievement to Drake and his breakout year in Hip-Hop/Rap music, but out of the contenders it was clear that Jay-Z stood out above the rest to take the honor. In such as short amount of time Jay-Z was able to accomplish so much following the release of The Blueprint 3 back in September 2009. But before the release of his eleventh album, he made an unprecedented deal with his former record label Def Jam for $5 Million, which allowed him release from his contract and the label, and control over his future master recordings. The Blueprint 3 while met with mixed reviews went on to be Jay-Z’s 11th U.S. number one album (surpassing Elvis Presley on the all-time list), the second highest selling Hip-Hop/Rap album of 2009 (behind Eminem’s Relapse at 1.5 million), and his first UK number one single with “Run This Town”.

Beyond the album’s accomplishments, the marketing and promotion for The Blueprint 3 saw Jay-Z embarking on a nationwide Blueprint 3 tour (w/ N.E.R.D., J. Cole, and Wale), making TV and Radio appearances both nationwide (The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Jay Leno Show, The David Letterman Show, Real Time With Bill Maher) and international (German TVTotal, Friday Night w/ Jonathan Ross, Radio 1’s Live Lounge), concert/award show/miscellaneous appearances/performances (World AIDS Day, American Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards, Yankees Stadium/Yankees Parade, BET Hip-Hop Awards, BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards), and endorsement (DJ Hero). Along with Jay-Z earning the #1 spot on the MTV Hottest MC In The Game list, he went on to orchestrate and present a benefit concert entitled Answer The Call in remembrance of the victims that lost their lives on the tragic day of 9/11 with proceeds from the concert going to New York Police and Fire Widows and Children’s Benefit Fund.

Following the ‘Fro’s posting of The Blueprint 3 as Album Of The Year honors for 2009, it’s easy to see why as Jay-Z did more this year in terms of accomplishments and contributions with the album and as an artist. An award like Man Of The Year encompasses much more than just music in terms of album sales and awards, it includes the involvement and impact of said artist made outside of the genre as well as within. From the almost immediate halting of the Auto-Tune trend in Hip-Hop music with the single “D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)” to the Answer The Call benefit concert to Oprah in Marcy Projects as well as still being top earning rapper on Forbes 2009 list with $35 million, Jay-Z indeed provided a blueprint this year both musically (album) and professionally (business strategies) for rappers to follow and borrow from for years to come.

Runners Up:
Drake
Gucci Mane

So here we are again. No voting. No debates. Just each staff member picking their 5 favorite songs of 2009. It seems that “Empire State Of Mind” by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys was popular with the crew as was “Forever” by Drake, Weezy, Kanye, & Em. There’s some Raekwon, some Rick Ross, and even CunninLynguists on this list. But for some strange reason, Waka Flocka Flame appears here too… Blame King Jerm. - B-Easy

Saule Wright
Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys – “Empire State Of Mind” [Produced by Al Shux, Janet, Sewell-Ulepic, & Angela Hunte]
Jadakiss feat. Jazmine Sullivan – “Smoking Gun” [Produced by Mr. Porter]
Drake feat. Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, & Eminem – “Forever” [Produced by Boi-1da]
Yo Gotti – “5 Star Chick” [Produced by Hot Rod]
Brother Ali – “The Travelers” [Produced by Ant]

H20
Jay-Z feat. Kid Cudi – “Already Home” [Produced by Kanye West, No I.D., & Jeff Bhasker]
Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos – “Shining Down” [Produced by Soundtrakk]
Drake feat. Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, & Eminem – “Forever” [Produced by Boi-1da]
Teriyaki Boyz feat. Kanye West – “I Still Love H.E.R.” [Produced by Kanye West]
Raekwon feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, GZA, & Method Man – “House Of Flying Daggers” [Produced by J Dilla]

SBK
Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys – “Empire State Of Mind” [Produced by Al Shux, Janet, Sewell-Ulepic, & Angela Hunte]
Drake – “Best I Ever Had” [Produced by Boi-1da]
Drake feat. Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, & Eminem – “Forever” [Produced by Boi-1da]
Eminem – “Beautiful” [Produced by Eminem]
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C” [Produced by Just Blaze]

Arkitekt
Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah & Suga Bang Bang – “Cold Outside” [Produced by Icewater Productions]
The Alchemist feat. Evidence, Blu, Talib Kweli, & Kid Cudi – “Therapy” [Produced by The Alchemist]
CunninLynguists – “Never Come Down (The Brownie Song)” [Produced by Kno]
Mr. SOS – “Die For You” [Produced by Kno]
Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys – “Empire State Of Mind” [Produced by Al Shux, Janet, Sewell-Ulepic, & Angela Hunte]

B-Easy
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit C” [Produced by Just Blaze]
Drake – “Fear” [Produced by DJ Khalil]
Rick Ross – “Valley Of Death” [Produced by DJ Toomp]
Jay-Z – “Thank You” [Produced by Kanye West & No I.D.]
Joe Budden – “Russian Roulette” [Produced by Chuck Harmony & Ne-Yo]

King Jerm
Drake feat. Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne, & Eminem – “Forever” [Produced by Boi-1da]
Rick Ross feat. Avery Storm – “Rich Off Cocaine’ [Produced by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League]
Birdman feat. Drake & Lil’ Wayne – “4 My Town (Play Ball)” [Produced by Boi-1da]
Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)” [Produced by No I.D.]
Waka Flocka Flame – “O Lets Do It” [Produced By Don Beatz]

I wanted to write this column because when “Off That” leaked to the internet and the first tracklisting came out, I didn’t believe it. I thought Jay had fallen off, that he had gone Kingdom Come again. Then when I finally got the whole album, it was like I ate all of my words. Sure, there were the songs I didn’t like: “Hate” is terrible, probably one of the worst of the year in my opinion. But EVERY other song was amazing. When I listened to this album I realized: “This was what Kingdom Come should have been. The new, older, more sophisticated Jay rapping deftly over beats provided by the likes of Kanye West, No I.D., Timbaland, and Swizz Beatz.

You know an album is special when it has a lasting impact not only on the Hip-Hop community, but on the music world in general. The Blueprint 3 is one of those albums. “D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune)” finally solved the problem we all have been experiencing by single handily starting the “Anti-Auto Movement”. “Run This Town” brought Rihanna back into the spotlight after a long-hiatus, and “Empire State of Mind” created what is sure to be known as the N.Y. anthem for some time.

A lot of people are going to be mad that this won over albums like Relapse, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… PT II, Us, Deeper Than Rap, and The Last Kiss. I’ll admit myself, I thought that OB4CL2 should have won this award. But then I had to sit down and really think: What did Jay-Z give us? What impact did this have on the Hip-Hop world? When it came down to it, when the whole staff went to vote, The Blueprint 3 ended up on nearly every staff member’s lists. It’s been said before, and it’s true: most of the people who think this album isn’t good are stuck comparing it to the original Blueprint. Was this album classic? No, it wasn’t, there were a couple of missteps on the album. But when you talk about lyrical depth (“I had to lace up my boots even harder/Father is too far away to father/Further-more are the kids/either smoke reefer/Or either move white/ there’s few writers in my cipher”), musical quality, and overall Hip-Hop impact, The Blueprint 3 stands out amongst the other releases of the year. In my opinion, it is arguably Jay’s best post-retirement album. That’s why we award it with the nappyafro.com 2009 Album of the Year.

Runners Up:
Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… PT II
Rick Ross – Deeper Than Rap
Eminem – Relapse

If you follow the Certified Banger column, I bet you wasn’t expecting Rosa Acosta to leave with this year’s title huh? We actually never featured her but that doesn’t mean we didn’t see her. From Drake’s “Best I Ever Had” to Mike Posner’s “Drug Dealer Girl” to finally getting the cover of KING Magazine’s relaunch, 2009 was definitely a breakout year for Rosa. If you don’t agree with our choice, you can always go watch one of her famous stretching videos. That calms me down every time. Certified Banger Of The Year. (Props to BlaKKJaKK)

Runner Up: Bria Myles

As the staff member that broke Drake to the site…ahem…It is my PLEASURE to announce his So Far Gone as nappyafro’s Mixtape Of The Year winner for 2009. If you don’t agree, let’s go over some simple facts about this mixtape. He’s nominated for a Grammy from a mixtape that came prior to any album release or even major label deal. This mixtape single-handedly propelled Drake into the stratosphere and has Vibe calling him Hip Hop’s new religion. It’s hard to deny that “Successful” alone, reintroduced the world to Trey Songz and reignited his career as well. Lastly, who releases a free mixtape THEN turns around and takes that mixtape and sells over 200k copies? Ok, so for those of you that are hard to please, MTV and Complex Magazine agree with us with Complex going as far as calling this one of the top 5 mixtapes this decade. Simply put, Drake has managed to put his fingerprint on a career that may see him release classics in R&B and Hip-Hop, and that is proof that he is So Far Gone from the nearest competitors for this award.

Runners Up:
Lil’ Wayne – No Ceilings
J. Cole – The Warm Up
Wale & 9th Wonder – Back To The Feature

Why just do it in a day? From the year’s best mixtapes to the year’s best producers, this week we will take a look back at the top picks for 2009. Starts Monday.

You can follow the awards here, our Twitter, or the front page.

Let’s get it…

Our 2nd annual nappyafro Awards week comes to a close. But , before we end this, we still got some categories to go. We still need to find out who is this year’s top producer or what was the collaboration of 2008. We also included the awards we already gave out earlier this week. Bye 2008; you wasn’t so bad.

Man Of The Year: Lil’ Wayne

Album Of The Year: Nas – Untitled

Songs Of The Year

DMF Of The Year: DMX

Best Collabo: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us”

Yes, I’m tired of the word “swagger” too. But love ‘em or hate ‘em,  the song featured Hip-Hop’s premier rappers.

-Runner Up: Joe Budden feat. Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I, & Royce Da 5′9″ – “Slaughterhouse”
-Notables:
Big Boi feat. Andre 3000 7 Raekwon – “Royal Flush”
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On”
DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil’ Boosie, Ace Hood, Trick Daddy, and Plies – “Out Here Grindin”
Statik Selektah feat. Saigon, Termanology, & Cassidy – “To The Top”

Best Group: The Roots

Not to say that The Roots didn’t earn this award (The did. Rising Down was pretty good.), but the field wasn’t really competitive. Well then again, what’s that group who made that song “Lookin’ Boy”?

-Notables:
Atmosphere
G-Unit

Best Music Video: Something From YouTube (and other video sharing sites)

While some videos were recommended, our video of the year was, uh…

-Notables:
Young Jeezy – “Crazy World”
T.I. feat. Rihanna – “Live Your Life”

Best New Artist: No real winner. Just some notables.
Wale
Mickey Factz
The Cool Kids
Flo Rida
Ace Hood

Best Album We Didn’t Review: Black Milk – Tronic

Why we didn’t review this album still is a mystery to us. From “Give The Drumma Some” to “The Matrix” the album was one of this years best. Maybe we’ll get around to it one day…

-Runner Up: Evidence – The Layover EP

Turn Yo Headphones up Award: Danny! – And I Love H.E.R.: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The often delayed And I Love H.E.R. proved to be worth the wait with many calling Danny!’s 4th album his best.

Best Mixtape: Mick Boogie & Terry Urban Presents Jay-Z & Coldplay – Viva La Hova

The Hip-Hop mixtape game may be a little over-saturated, but it took Mick Boogie doing the a Jay-Z mash-up with Chris Martin’s group to take the award.

-Runner Up: DJ Drama & Fabolous – There Is No Competition (Gangsta Grillz: Special Edition)
-Notables:
Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing
Nas & Dj Green Lantern – The Nigger Tape
DJ Drama & Gucci Mane – Gangsta Grillz: The Movie
Little Brother – Seperate But Equal (Drama Free Edition)
Runner Up: DJ Drama & Ludacris – Gangsta Grillz: The Preview

Producer of the Year: DJ Toomp

This was so close; Don Cannon REALLY did his thing this year. But DJ Toomp edged him out with stellar production credits on albums from Young Jeezy, The Game, Ludacris, Nas, & Rick Ross.

-Runner Up: Don Cannon
-Notables:
Jake One
Drumma Boy
J.U.S.T.I.C.E League

Beat Of The Year: Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli”

Was there any doubt? Can you NAME all the people who actually rapped over “A Milli” in 2008?

-Runner Up: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us”
-Notables:
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)”
Wale – “Studio 43″
Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z – “Maybach Music”

Video Vixen: Bria Myles

Are there still video vixens? Or is this just an excuse for King Jerm to put up a pic of Bria?

When I chosen to do this column, I questioned whether giving him this award would really help in the rehabilitation. However, this is nappyafro, and votes were cast and while it was close, DMX prevailed as the winner. Why you ask? The one time face of Def Jam was arrested more times than Pacman Jones! Nine times in a nine months has to be a record somewhere. His arrests range from speeding to identity theft. How X goes to a hospital and no one recognizes him is beyond me, but that might be an example of how far his status is fallen. Get this…X is still walking the streets. He said it in a song, “Only nigga walking the streets with four felonies!” Everyone has demons they deal with; I hope that DMX gets his life together. This has to be one of the biggest “Falls from Grace” in Hip-Hop history. X was in line to be the next 2Pac, then he went and messed it all up! How do you go from selling millions of records, selling out arenas, starring in movies to buying $30 worth of crack and weed on the streets? DMX, this is going to you as a person: put the game to the side right now and get Earl right. DMX will be okay once Earl is straight. I present this award to DMX, but I’m hoping that Earl Simmons will never make this award again.

Runner Up: Yung Berg

At first we were gonna do a recap this year’s most notable songs featured in our Song of the Week column. But seeing how some of the songs weren’t actually made in 2008, it really wouldn’t have worked. So instead of voting for a single “Song of the Year”, we thought; “Why not just let each staff member pick their favorite 5 songs of the year?” So here they are. No voting. No debates. Just each staff member picks for their 5 favorite songs of 2008. And surprisingly, there’s a lotta Killer Mike, Jay Electronica, & Lil’ Wayne. Who knew?

B-Easy’s Picks:
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit A (Transformations)” [various artists - Fresh Cuts Vol. 3 (Music By Guitar Center Employees)]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]
Killer Mike – “I Gotcha” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
DJ Khaled feat. Kanye West & T-Pain – “Go Hard” [DJ Khaled - We Global]
Big Boi feat. Raekwon & Andre 3000 – “Royal Flush” [Big Boi - Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty]

Saule Wright’s Picks:
Killer Mike – “God In The Building” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
The Roots – “75 Bars (Black’s Reconstruction)” [The Roots - Rising Down]
Ludacris feat. Floyd “Money” Mayweather – “Undisputed” [Ludacris - Theatre Of The Mind]
Lil’ Wayne – “Dr. Carter” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]

H20’s Picks:
T.I. – “I’m Illy” [T.I. - Paper Trail]
Nas feat. Keri Hilson – “Hero” [Nas - Untitled]
Ludacris feat. Floyd “Money” Mayweather – “Undisputed” [Ludacris - Theatre Of The Mind]
Killer Mike-”God is in the Building” [Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II]
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” [Nas - Untitled]

Guy’s Picks:
Murs – “I’m Innocent” [Murs - Murs For President]
Termanology – “Watch How It Go Down” [Termanology - Politics As Usual]
Lil’ Wayne feat. D. Smith – “Shoot Me Down” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Wale – “The Kramer” [Wale - The Mixtape About Nothing]
Jay Electronica – “Exhibit A (Transformations)” [various artists - Fresh Cuts Vol. 3 (Music By Guitar Center Employees)]

King Jerm’s Picks:
Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z – “Maybach Music” [Rick Ross - Trilla]
Lil’ Wayne feat. Fabolous & Juelz Santana – “Ain’t Got Nothing on Me” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
Jake One feat. Little Brother – “Bless the Child” [Jake One - White Van Music]
Kanye West – “Heartless” [Kanye West - 808’s & Heartbreak]
Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]

SBK’s Picks:
Lil’ Wayne feat. Static Major – “Lollipop” [Lil’ Wayne - Tha Carter III]
T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us” [T.I. - Paper Trail]
Termanology – “So Amazing” [Termanology - Politics As Usual]
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On” [Young Jeezy - The Recession]
Q-Tip – “Move” [Q-Tip - The Renaissance]