All Kanye, All The Time

By Rachelle Bowden in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 16, 2004 5:12PM

Last night at the World Music Awards, Kanye took home the trophy for Best New Male Artist. The WMAs had been held in Morocco in previous years but were brought to Las Vegas for this year’s festivities. Why? So there were no conflicts with Diamond Award winner Celine Dion’s Caesar’s Palace performances? Hmm…I guess next year we’ll see if what happens in Las Vegas always stays in Las Vegas.

Anyway, back to Kanye. Last week he picked up six Source Hip-Hop Music Awards nominations for best album, breakthrough artist, live performer, video, lyricist and producer of the year. The last nod would seem to be a lock as that’s how the man made his mark in hip-hop for years. Kanye’s work is also featured on three-time nominee and fellow Chicagoan Twista’s R&B/Rap Collabo nomination. The show will tape in Miami on October 10th and air on BET this November.

Finally, a bit of controversy. Kanye’s The College Dropout album is featured on a preliminary ballot for best Gospel Rap Album at the Stellar Gospel Awards for the song "Jesus Walks." The ballot sent ripples through the gospel community from here to Hindustan, as several groups criticized the nom due to the “offensive” lyrics on the rest of the album. All this will likely keep the album from appearing on a final list of nominees to be released on October 26th.

Chicagoist can’t wait to see what happens next year when R. Kelly’s gospel album gets nominated. (Thanks Scott)