This year is big for The Source Awards. The jump-off began on Saturday in Miami at The Source Youth Foundation Family Day Concert. For those who read The Source through to the end, or who bought one of the magazine’s Award Weekend packages, you already know about The Source Youth Foundation. They raise money for programs that help keeo kids off the streets. KRS-One headlined the show along with Mobb Deep. Russell Simmons, Dr. Benjamin Chavis and Ed DeJesus, The Foundation’s Executive Director spoke about fighting bullets and bail with books, jobs and beats. Next up was the Celebraity Basketball Game starring Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, Jadakiss, Ja Rule, R. Kelly, Murphy Lee, Boo & Gotti, David Banner and more, plus world famous Ruckers players like Dirt Bag, Pharmacist and more.
On Sunday night at The New Radisson Hotel, a pre-Source Awards celebration ensued. The Foundation’s President Arnold Mays (he’s related to the mag’s CEO, Dave Mays) and Ed DeJesus presented awards to Crazy Legs from the Rock Steady Crew, Nelly for his 4 Sho 4 Kids organization, LL Cool J for Camp Cool J and his many contributions to his community, Roy Jones, Jr. And Afeni Shakur, founder of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. Jaheim, a nominee for this year’s Source Award for “R&B Artist of the Year” provided the evening’s entertainment while Simmons spoke again along with presidential candidate, The Reverend Al Sharpton. There to show support were Mike Tyson, DMC, Terri Mizell (Jam Master Jay’s widow), the Outlawz’ EDI and Castro, No Limit’s Choppa was at Roy’s side, Tony Touch, Q-Unique from the Arsonists and more. LL Cool J is nominated for 3 Source Awards this year, including “Artist of the Year,” “Live Performer of the Year” and “Best Acting in a Movie by a Rapper.” Nelly snagged 4 nominations: “Artist of the Year,” “Single of the Year (Hot In Herre),” “R&B Rap/Collabo of the Year (Dilemma)” and “Album of the Year.”
