The Boston Music Awards has been under scrutiny for years about their lack of diversity and questionable nominees, but since the night is dedicated to charity, it’s hard not to support.
This year the awards took a break from the Liberty Hotel – my feet thank you – and took to The Revere Hotel. I’m not sure if that was the best choice as it felt super cramped as the hallway was turned into a venue for acts. Space 57 was an okay spot for a performance, but they didn’t have an elevated stage, so it was incredibly difficult to see the acts as we were all on the same level. In Theater 1, it was very chill, but wasn’t an ideal venue for music lovers who wanted to get hype. Basically, they should keep looking for a spot that accommodates the spacial needs. I don’t think Revere was it.
As for the fashion, it was a lot more rocker this year than in years past. It appeared the dress code was black; anyone in color looked out of place. Maybe it’s a musician thing.
I was only looking out for a few awards…basically the awards that had names of nominees that I recognized, and I wasn’t too surprised with the results.
I was ecstatic that two-time Fab Award Winner Dutch Rebelle finally got the nod for Rap Artist of the Year, but when you are on the cover of the Improper Bostonian, on MTV Jams and getting nods from XXL it’s kind of a no brainer (we loved her before all that, just saying).
And then another fave Bad Rabbits kept their slot on the BMA list winning best Live Artist of the Year and Pop/R&B Artists of the year.
We were rooting for DJ Leah V for the spot of DJ of the Year, but it went to hustler Frank White who has been on the grind all year.
Louie Bello, also a many time nominee won for Best Live Ongoing Residency for his Wednesday night residency at Abby Lane. I can attest that that is one good time.
One of the things I do love about these awards is that it really is just one big concert, so I caught Dutch Rebelle’s performance, STL GLD and DJ Frank White and DJ Leah V’s sets.
Dutch Rebelle
STL GLD
STL GLD
DJ Leah V
The lack of diversity in the awards is blaring, not just culturally, but musically, so I hope they take the criticism and actually change something – that is if they want the awards to actually be taken more seriously as an awards show and not just let’s give nods to our besties or acts that have become so big they are impossible for even the BMA’s to ignore.
Only time will tell.
