Kanye West and Lil’
Jon were the stories of the 2004 Source Awards, as the duo took home three Source
Awards a piece. The awards took place Sunday evening at the James L. Knight Arena
in Miami, Florida.
West’s College
Dropout earned him Album of the Year, while his single “Through the
Wire” landed him Video of the Year. West also won Breakthrough Artist
of the Year accolades.
Lil’ Jon
won Single of the Year for his collaborations with the Youngbloodz on the song
“Damn!”
Usher’s “Yeah!”
which features Ludacris, won the R&B/Rap Collaboration of the year. For
his handy work behind the boards, Lil’ Jon was honored with the Producer
of the Year award.
Other winners included
Jay-Z, Ying Yang Twins, Alicia Keyes, Terror Squad, Usher and Ludacris.
Minister Louis
Farrakhan was given a special award. The spiritual leader of the Nation of Islam
was introduced by Russell Simmons.
Relations between
Simmons and The Source soured when the mogul called for solidarity with Eminem,
after the magazine unearthed old tapes of a younger Eminem using the "N
word" to describe African-American women.
Earlier in the
week Simmons pulled out of a vote rally, prompting a response from Dave Mays
and Ray “Benzino” Scott, owners of The Source.
Simmons appeared
to introduce Minister Farrakhan as Suge Knight and James Prince stood with him
on stage.
”Even though you
bling-bling, you know beneath the diamonds, beneath the platinum, there is an
idealism in young people that you want change in America, and change in the
world," Farrakhan said.
In a nod to the
music’s global power, Farrakhan went on to say that Hip-Hop has influenced
and brought more people than organized religion.
The evening was
hosted by Trina, Big Tigger and comedian Kevin Hart. Mase, Twista and Ciara
all performed.
The show is scheduled
to air November 30th on BET.