About.com's 2011 Readers' Choice Awards will showcase the best of the best in multiple categories, from entertainment to technology. The Rap site is participating in the awards for the first time. We''ll be accepting nominations in five categories.
To nominate your choices, simply fill out the nomination form and submit. Nominations will be accepted from January 13, 2011 until February 4, 2011. Five finalists in each category will be announced on February 11, and voting will run from February 11 through March 8. The winners will be announced on March 15. Spread the word and check back later for the results.
Best Rap Album
2010 was a good year for hip-hop albums, so you should have plenty to choose from. The "Best Rap Album" category is reserved for that hip-hop album that blew your breath away. You've listened to this album so much that you're gradually morphing into the artist.
Best Mixtape
An award-worthy mixtape has replay value even after 3 months of release. Is your favorite mixtape better than most albums? Is it an instant banger? Is it impossible to put down? Is it worthy of its own mausoleum? If you answered yes to some or all of the above, then you should nominate it for the "Best Mixtape" award.
Best Twitter Personality
More than any other social network, Twitter has given music fans to get a window into the soul of their favorite artists. Who knew some of those mean-mugging, tough-talking rappers could also pass for stand-up comedians? Feel free to nominate those twitter feeds that helped you get through the year with words of counsel, informative posts, or wise cracks that made you chuckle so hard you spilled coffee all over your laptop. In the words of Black Sheep, the choice is yours.
Best Hip-Hop Blog
Pretend I'm your boss and I've called you into my office for a talk. You find me in a swivel chair, my fingers interlocked in a steeple. "We're going to let you go," I say. "Why?" you ask, tears strickling down your face. As it turns out, the activity monitor I secretly installed on your work computer caught you logging outrageous hours on some rappity rap blog. This blog has ruined your life. The least you can do is nominate it for an award.
Best New Rapper
Rapping is like g-strings. It always seems like a great idea but it's not for everyone. "Best New Rapper" is reserved for the budding star that stands out from the crowd. This is a fluid category, but please keep in mind that a 12-year veteran who already has 5 albums under her belt doesn't stand a chance.
