Comment DUBSTEP 2006 AWARDS - RESULTS

[moldy]

What's dumb about people having favourites?

That is not what I said.

No one's claiming the award winners are objectively the best at what they do, it's just majority opinion. A bit of fun.

Then the word "Best" should be stripped from category titles.
I'm well aware it's a "bit of fun". It's also suspect. I see no evidence that it is beneficial to the music.

The awards become problematic when the results are used as a barometer by the press and/or newcomers. We end up with an article being written which describes the awards as being determined "by the scene, for the scene" - inaccurate. I didn't see voting booths set up at any of the dances I attended/played at this year. To call these awards a Democratic process is a fallacy. It's more like the hatching of a virtual Elitocracy. And it is misleading to say that the results are a valid representation of "majority opinion". Only a small percentage of the ~5300+ registered users on this board voted.

It's all fun and games they say...

[signal]

wouldnt a "who's who" be just as narrowing and restrictive of the 'scene' as a competition? Im not against it, but it seems like the same type of thing to me. importance will be recognized, whether or not there are guides to define them blatantly to the public.

[blackdown]

The awards become problematic when the results are used as a barometer by the press and/or newcomers. We end up with an article being written which describes the awards as being determined "by the scene, for the scene" - inaccurate. I didn't see voting booths set up at any of the dances I attended/played at this year. To call these awards a Democratic process is a fallacy. It's more like the hatching of a virtual Elitocracy. And it is misleading to say that the results are a valid representation of "majority opinion". Only a small percentage of the ~5300+ registered users on this board voted.

You use the words 'inaccurate,' 'fallacy' and 'elitocracy' yet fail to back them up.

There were no booths at dances because it was an online poll. Perhaps you would like to personally fund physical poll booths at each and every dubstep club worldwide?

Everyone and anyone was entitled to vote - that's not an elitocracy, that's inclusivity.

and as for using it as a barometer, i used it because that's exactly what it is. several of my favourite acts/records/dj didn't win or get nominated. but people who did win, won by popular and fair vote - that's what a barometer is.

[2scoops]

""N-Type's triumph in the Best DJ category heralds his arrival as a true heavyweight on the scene. He fought off stiff competition-- not just from dubstep DJ Youngsta but also Mala DMZ, Skream, Hatcha, Joe Nice, and Kode9. In many ways N-Type's win is symbolic of where much of dubstep is headed right now. If Hatcha's reign at FWD>> during 2003-04 ushered in the sound's modern era and Youngsta's sets characterised the coldest subzero halfstep experiments in 2005, then N-Type as 2006's DJ of the Year epitomizes the raviest, most high-energy strain of dubstep. With his hyper-fast mixing and emphasis on quick-fire drop after drop, it will be interesting if purveyors of this style can, as well as satisfying crowd demand, continue to also take the occasional risks with their selection that has traditionally allowed dubstep to evolve quickly. ""

Erm...not sure what to make of this from Pitchfork site.

But, its a fair point. I remember a thread on here about a year ago on the things dubstep needed to do to avoid becoming the bland ravey, ringtone, made-for-the-kids shite that drum and bass ended up as. Drop after drop ain't all good. Remember when d'n'b tunes became all about the first 2 minutes, then once a tune dropped that was it for the next 5 minutes? I hope dubstep and its derivatives ain't going the same way. No longevity in that - Don't dumb this music down just for the dancefloor.

Not a personal gripe at N-Type - bro - fully respect you and what you do (and indeed everyone else thats doing their thing.)

[moldy]

wouldnt a "who's who" be just as narrowing and restrictive of the 'scene' as a competition? Im not against it, but it seems like the same type of thing to me.

Not so restrictive as limiting the results to a Top 3.

importance will be recognized, whether or not there are guides to define them blatantly to the public.

I agree.

We don't really need to have an awards at all.

[moldy]

The awards become problematic when the results are used as a barometer by the press and/or newcomers. We end up with an article being written which describes the awards as being determined "by the scene, for the scene" - inaccurate. I didn't see voting booths set up at any of the dances I attended/played at this year. To call these awards a Democratic process is a fallacy. It's more like the hatching of a virtual Elitocracy. And it is misleading to say that the results are a valid representation of "majority opinion". Only a small percentage of the ~5300+ registered users on this board voted.

You use the words 'inaccurate,' 'fallacy' and 'elitocracy' yet fail to back them up.

There were no booths at dances because it was an online poll. Perhaps you would like to personally fund physical poll booths at each and every dubstep club worldwide?

Everyone and anyone was entitled to vote - that's not an elitocracy, that's inclusivity.

and as for using it as a barometer, i used it because that's exactly what it is. several of my favourite acts/records/dj didn't win or get nominated. but people who did win, won by popular and fair vote - that's what a barometer is.

Sorry if I failed to make myself clear.

I do think "by the scene, for the scene" is inaccurate. As I said, only a fraction of the ~5300+ registered users on this board participated. It would be accurate to say "by the dubstep forum, for the dubstep forum".

While everyone and anyone was entitled to vote, only a minority of "the scene" participated. Perhaps I should not have used the word Elitocracy, I was just stretching to describe a process in which the results are determined by the minority. Minocracy would have been a better choice.

I'm not serious about installing voting booths at parties. I'm just trying to illustrate the amount of voter volume we would really need before anyone can rightfully call these awards "by the scene, for the scene", let alone relate them to Democracy, as Democracy requires the whole population or a majority of it's members. Neither of which were attained this time around. That should disqualify the results.

In my opinion, the bottom line is that the awards are not necessary, the results should be taken with a grain of salt, and popularity contests are stupid - as is arguing on the internet, so I'm done with this.

Let the music speak for itself.

With that said, I'm going to write some beats now.

[parson]

everything's gonna be alrite

[atki2]

Good results I think, loads of very worthy winners.

I think it's criminal that Roots of Dubstep didn't make the top compilation category though.

[dirtycash]

to circumvent the problem of having to restrict the nominees for each category, could there not be a check box that was for "Other", where voter inserts whoever they like.
Could be a good way to open it out????

[juakali]

Whoa, I had no idea that there was such a heated debate going on concerning the awards, to the point that scholarly words are being thrown around I like it, I like it very much. I would prefer an award happening on this forum or by the good folks who have been documenting this baby of ours just for the love.

We live in a world of sun and shadow. There would have been something like this popping off eventually considering the growth of the genre. It has already become a matter of logistics for the music. Anyone who has a label, publication, businesses know the deal. It's a numbers game.

That’s all the business side of things…

Now about the music…

We are artists. We have egos. We would like recognition. If not now, at some point in our lives. The way I see it, if the work is being done – making music, making songs etc your work will speak for itself. Personally, I’m not concern about awards etc. It is nice to see who gets the “trophy” and as with our awards (dubstepforum), it’s good to see our friends stand out at the end of the year. I mean, they all put in work! Art is subjective, style comes and goes in waves (stop me if you heard this one). Folks who are able to predict, produce and push are the ones who will be counted as being influential, life changing and all those words associated with monument building. So then, it’s a little more than making tracks, and writing lyrics isn’t it…

Would we continue to recognize the real? Or will it change over to a popularity contest? That seems to be what folks concerns are… you can guide your baby through life but dubstep has to live on its own.

[2000f]

where is hotflush?
where is toasty?
where is Search And Destroy?
where is dub police
where is Elemental ?
where is protocal x?

maybe i should start breakstepforum.com lol

(dont hate me )

I hear you! I´m still such a BIG FAN of the Breakstep sound, but I can´t big up all the winners, nominated etc. enough. Reeespek, you lot. It´s well deserved!

[ufo over easy]

Then the word "Best" should be stripped from category titles.

Do you take everything so literally?

[triac]

Seriously good to see Rooted at joint first best shop. Before Tom started stocking dubstep my only options were dubplate.net or Big Apple website, neither or which were anywhere near as good... Respect.

[dirty steve]

everything's gonna be alrite

You said it Parson!

[dq]