Welcome to The Ground Up Awards Submission Portal

*Please read the criteria for each category and submit as necessary

*A maximum of 5 categories per submission is permitted

*1 submission per person

 CATEGORIES:

Underground Artist Of The Year

• Awarded to the artist who displayed the highest level rapping skillset, released consistent bodies of work and made the greatest impact on the underground scene throughout the year.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of your Albums/Singles released throughtout the year

Underground Album Of The Year

• The consensus pick for greatest album as determined by the panel of Delegates and appointed Listeners (5 Mics, No Skips).
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for your album

Feature Run Of The Year

• Awarded to the artist who released the most high quality feature verses throughout the year (Minimum of 10 verses)
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of your features

Producer Of The Year

• Awarded to the producer who demonstrated the most high level and versatile skillset over a number of placements throughout the year.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of your placements

Hip-Hop Song Of The Year

• The consensus pick, as determined by the panel of Delegates and appointed Listeners, for the record which exhibited the highest quality Lyricism and Production (Must exceed 2:30).
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for your song

Collaborative Song Of The Year

• The song, with 2 or more artists, which displayed the greatest lyricism, chemistry and cohesiveness.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for your song

Debut Project Of The Year

• The consensus pick for greatest debut project as determined by the panel of Delegates and appointed Listeners.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for your debut project

Album Run Of The Year

• Awarded to the artist who released 3 or more albums which had the greatest impact on the culture of the underground.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of your albums

Verse Of The Year

• The consensus pick, as determined by the panel of Delegates and appointed Listeners, for the standout verse which displayed the highest level lyricism.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for song and specification of verse in question

Most Improved Pen

• Awarded to the artist who demonstrated the greatest improvement in lyricism throughout the year.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist including a project released early in the year and a project released later in the year

Most Valuable Pen (MVP)

• The consensus pick, as determined by the panel of Delegates and appointed Listeners, of the artist who displayed the highest level lyricism throughout the year.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of your best singles/albums released throughout the year

Underground Rap Duo Of The Year

• Awarded to the duo who demonstrated the greatest lyricism and chemistry over multiple records.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of your collaborative songs

Producer-Artist Duo Of The Year

• Awarded to the artist and producer who released a project demonstrating the greatest lyricism, production and chemistry.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for your collaborative project

Engineer Of The Year

• Awarded to the Audio Engineer who completed the most high quality mixes throughout the year.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of records you mixed

Cover Art Of The Year

• The most impressive cover art for a project or single released within the year
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for your release

Best Posse Cut

• The song, featuring 4 or more artists, showcasing the best lyricism and production
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for your song

Songwriter Of The Year

• Awarded to the artist who showcased the ability to compose the most outstanding and complete records throughout the year (including verses, hook, bridge, etc).
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of your songs

Visual Of The Year

• The most creative, eye catching visual released this year (including music videos, lyric videos, etc).
• Submission Criteria:
  • Link or File of video

Best Media Platform

• Awarded to the most impactful media platform (including podcasts, YouTube channels, blogs, spaces, etc).
• Submission Criteria:
  • Link to your platform
  • Brief summary of the intent and impact of your platform

Voice Of The Year

• Awarded to the artist who was a championing voice for the culture at large, advocating for the greater good.
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming Link for a playlist of relevant songs

Best Conceptual Album

• The greatest album based around a central theme or idea
• Submission Criteria:
  • Streaming like for your album

Jack Of All Trades

• Awarded to the artist who demonstrated the ability to Rap, Produce, Engineer, etc., at the highest level thoughout the year 
• Submission Criteria:
  • Video proof of skillset
  • 3 Individuals who can confirm engineering and/or production