Tag: Summer

Hello and welcome to the first annual LEAKERS SUMMER AWARDS!

With summer officially over, it’s time to hand out some virtual awards for a hot, hot summer. I posted polls on our Twitter for fans to vote on six different categories. Those categories include “Hottest Song of the Summer,” “Video of the Summer,” “Album of the Summer,” “Buzziest Rapper of the Summer,” “Hottest Songstress of the Summer,” and ” Hottest Valuable Player.”

Being that listeners are what drive this industry, I left the decision-making completely up to you, the listener. Being that Twitter only allows up to four options, I was limited, but very calculated in picking nominees for each section. If you do have any write-ins or nominees you think should’ve made the cut, feel free to drop them in the comments section.

Let’s get to it.

https://twitter.com/LALeakers/status/911017344087998465

SONG OF THE SUMMER: LIL UZI VERT – “XO TOUR LIFE”

In a somewhat surprising decision, Lil Uzi Vert wins “Song of the Summer” with his chart-topping single, “XO Tour Life.” I’m not knocking Uzi or the explosive single, but it seemed folks couldn’t get enough “Bodak Yellow” this summer and everytime the song came on everybody got up to shake their ass.

https://twitter.com/LALeakers/status/911018054678593536

VIDEO OF THE SUMMER: DJ KHALED – “WILD THOUGHTS” FEAT. RIHANNA & BRYSON TILLER

Personally for me, Jay Z’s “The Story of OJ” video is one of the best videos not only of the summer, but the entire year. Hov really touched on a lot of social issues, while illustrating them with a dope animated video and the first video off his ‘4:44’ album. I can see why fans chose “Wild Thoughts” as the video of the summer — anything with Rihanna baring skin and dancing should take the cake.

https://twitter.com/LALeakers/status/911018709677834241

ALBUM OF THE SUMMER: JAY Z – ‘4:44’

Hov may have missed winning “Video of the Summer” by 1-percent of a vote, but he wins “Album of the Summer” for his critically-acclaimed ‘4:44’ album in a pretty lop-sided way. There’s no denying Jay and his 13th studio album, I mean for Christ sakes, the man repeatedly dissed himself and still found a way to make it sound HOT. Introspective Jay Z for the WIN! *FLAME EMOJI*

https://twitter.com/LALeakers/status/911019550258348032

BUZZIEST RAPPER OF THE SUMMER: KENDRICK LAMAR

Now this category doesn’t mean you’re the best rapper alive, Top 5 dead or alive, or have produced multiple platinum-selling albums. The “Buzziest” part in this category says it all. This award was intended for the rapper that was making the most noise and getting busy this summer. Lil Uzi jumping off stage sets like he was Mick Foley definitely helped his case, Kendrick Lamar wins though. I hope voters didn’t choose K. Dot based on skillset, although he did kill shit with his ‘DAMN.’ album. He also lit it up on his “DAMN. Tour” and released some crafty, artistic videos that he helped direct as well.

https://twitter.com/LALeakers/status/911020299801391104

HOTTEST SONGSTRESS OF THE SUMMER: CARDI B

“Little b*tch you can’t f**k with me if you wanted to.” Yeah, that pretty much sums up Cardi B’s summer. No other female rapper or singer was really touching Cardi, who arguably had the best song of the summer in “Bodak Yellow” (although our awards wouldn’t say it). Cardi was also killing shit popping up everywhere. I felt like she was literally on my feed every five posts and she was nearly on every festival bill this summer. SALUTE BARDI!

https://twitter.com/LALeakers/status/911021375476817920

HOTTEST VALUABLE PLAYER: KENDRICK LAMAR

This award was intended to be the MVP of the summer and according to the fans that was one Kung-Fu Kenny. The man has one of the hottest albums of the year, stayed busy by delivering on features, touring, and making magazine covers. With a tremendous resume, there really is no denying Kendrick Lamar. If you try to just look at the margin of victory.

Church. *Snoop Dogg Voice*

@IAMBNYCE