Imari Wade is reigning hip hop champ

Female rapper Imari Wade was crowned the winner of the first annual Hott 107.5 Hip Hop Challenge.

Wade beat out 14 other rappers — all male — and walked away with a $3,000 cheque.

The rapper told the Bermuda Sun: “I felt like it was just a step closer to getting to where I’m going.

“It was a competition so I felt like I was working towards something.

“It felt good to know that I was going to get the money.”

Asked what she plans to do with the money, Wade said: “First things first, I have to take care of a few small things. I will also use the money to get my tracks out of the studio and of course whatever my mama needs, she gets.”

Glenn Blakeney, owner of Hott 107.5 said the event was a great success and plans to put out a compilation CD with all the artists.

“The first annual HOTT 1075 Hip-Hop Challenge was a huge success especially for the contestants.

“They all expressed their sincere gratitude to the station for staging such a showcase and several indicated that they will definitely audition again next year in an effort to be chosen again to compete in the 2014 event, which is already scheduled to be held at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for Performing Arts.”

Speaking about the winner, Mr Blakeney said: “The competition was absolutely awesome and only one single point separated first and second places.

“Imari Wade won the competition and demonstrated that she is certainly ready for the big time.

“Imari was the only female contestant to take the stage and she had a flawless performance that was smooth, pure and professionally polished.

“Imari’s winning performance earned her the grand prize trophy and $3,000.”

He continued: “Runner-up Glenn Simmons aka Swift was the most entertaining act to hit the stage.

“He received $1,000 and a trophy, while the third place trophy and prize of $500 went to James Howard aka “Zender” who brought his own unique level of energy and swag.

“Another notable performer that proved to be a crowd pleaser was Kyle Scott Williams aka DJ Spec Tech.

“He clearly demonstrated how to engage an audience by getting everyone to chant his  punch line chorus, ‘I’m the 7th letter of the alphabet, I’m a G’ which was so infectious that he had the large crowd rolling in their seats, jamming with him.”

Speaking on the compilation CD, Mr Blakeney said his company, Bermuda Soul Records is committed to recording the disc, which will feature solo performances by all 15 contestants.

The record label has a dedicated professional recording studio, where all the original music composed by talent on its roster is produced and then sent to be mastered in New York.

“I hope to have the project completed by Christmas. Studio time will have to be facilitated for the 15 performers pending their availability.

“Various contestants will be returning to university, so appropriate arrangements must be planned to track the original music and then record the each of the contestant’s vocals, before mixing all the tracks and subsequently sending them abroad for mastering and manufacturing.”

Asked where it will be available, Mr Blakeney said: “Bermuda Soul Records has an excellent relationship with Music Box, so I look forward to having the CD available there, however if there are other establishments interested in carrying the CD, they are invited to contact me so the proper arrangements could be made.

“The proposed compilation CD will retail for $20 and all proceeds after costs will be shared equally among the talent, which I hope will serve as an incentive and encourage their respective professional recording aspirations.

“So I look very much forward to working with everyone among this amazing group of young Bermudian Hip-Hop talent.”