Embrace Enterprises was started by Edie “Embrace” Chatman, a manager/event planner/business woman who is always willing to network and share opportunities with other professionals around the city. It’s her company’s next move that could forever change the musical landscape of Toledo in terms of providing artists with knowledge, opportunity and most importantly, recognition. The weekend of June 22nd-24th will be Toledo’s first Hip-Hop based awards show/conference. The response to the show has been so overwhelming; Embrace plans to open it up to all genres in the 419 area code as early as next year. Her goal is to stress the importance of networking with resources available in the area and participants will also have the opportunity to register to vote at the event.

Martini Rox: What prompted you to produce the 419 Awards & Music Showcase?

Embrace: I’m a representative for the Ohio Hip Hop Awards and after working with them and seeing what we call “the magic” and having a platform for the whole state of Ohio, I just felt that my region needed the same kind of exposure to get their attention (to) get them motivated. I know there’s a lot of talent in this area and I think if I can get them motivated in this area, they can move on to a bigger stage. We’ve had a lot of success stories (come) out of the Ohio Hip Hop Awards, so I definitely wanted to continue to channel that.

Martini Rox: What makes this event different from other workshops, conferences or showcases like it?

Embrace: What makes it different for us is (that) there is nothing in this region like it.

For the amount of violence you see in this area, it’s that many more people doing great things that they never get accolades for. From producers, engineers, to videographer, (to) photographers they never get accolades for what they do besides the clients that pay them to do it.

Martini Rox: When is the 419 Music Awards Show & Music Conference?

What all will the show entail?

Embrace: The awards show weekend is a three day weekend and it starts on Friday. The Official Ohio Hip Hop Awards Tour stops in Toledo June 22nd which would go right into the pre party. They have a showcase (and) if you win, you get to perform at the Ohio Hip-Hop Awards and then you get the opportunity for a nomination in the best live performance category. On Saturday you have the official 419 Music Awards. The Black Carpet starts at 4pm and then the actual awards show starts at 5pm.

Martini Rox: Why are you doing a showcase?

Embrace: I can pick out five good artists literally just walking down two or three blocks. How do you narrow it down? How do I say who gets the opportunity to hit the stage?

I don’t, I took my self out (of) that equation and made it pretty much the peoples choice.

Five artists will be chosen.

(Saturday May 19th is the 419 Music Awards Showcase)

Martini Rox: The event is called the 419 Music Awards Show & Music Conference. What genre of artists is this show open to?

Embrace: There is a section R&B artists and Hip-Hop as well. I have been approached by many genres of music when I first got into the selection process of the name that was something I was very serious (in thinking) about “do I just want to keep it in that realm?”

But the reason why it started in Hip-Hop is because that’s where I’m from, I’m from the Hip-Hop culture. I have opened categories up for R&B artists, videographers and DJ’s and all those (types) of categories, because I know to be an artist you need all of these elements in your life to make your career successful.

Nominations are open until May 1st. The Ohio Hip-Hop Awards Showcase is Friday June 22nd followed by the 419 Music Awards Pre Party. The actual awards show is Saturday, June 23rd and the weekend ends with a conference on Sunday June 24th with a panel of music industry professionals.

For more information about artist nominations and registration visit: www.419musicawards.com

As we continue on…

Tags: 419 Music Awards Show and Music Conference, Embrace, Martini Rox, Ohio Hip-Hop Awards, On the Rox

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 18th, 2012 at 11:31 am and is filed under Music, On the Rox, Star.
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