Ozone Mag Announces Nominees and Host

[Mumbo Sauce]

Caption: The legendary Pimp C of UGK with Ozone Mag founder Julia Beverly

OZONE Magazine today announced actor/comedian, DeRay Davis [MTV's Wild 'n' Out, BET's Comic View] as host for its 3rd Annual OZONE Awards show in Houston, Texas, Monday August 11th, at the George R Brown Convention Center. Topping the list of nominees for this year's award ceremony is Lil Wayne, with 8 nominations in more than 5 categories including TJ's DJ's Hustler Award, Club Banger of the Year and Best Lyricist. Other Nominees include T-Pain, Rick Ross, Plies, Kanye West, Killer Mike, Trick Daddy, Shawty Lo, Bun B, Trey Songz, Flo Rida, Usher, Young Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Greg Street, Akon, Ice Cube, Snoop and The Game.

Honoring the memory of the late UGK rapper, Pimp C, OZONE will dedicate a new category, the "PIMP C AWARD (TRILLEST ARTIST)", to a list of nominees who have expressed personal views and been outspoken about controversial topics in and outside of music. Nominees included Kanye West, David Banner, Killer Mike, Lil Wayne, Trae and Trick Daddy.

"We wanted to dedicate a category this year for the Trillest Artist Award," explains OZONE Founder and producer of the OZONE Awards, Julia Beverly. "Since Pimp C was one of the most vocal members of our community we felt it was appropriate to name the award after him. While we are guests in Houston, we hope to do as much as we can to represent the city's unique culture, which includes remembering Pimp C and other Texas legends who have passed, like DJ Screw, Big Hawk, Fat Pat and Big Moe."

A complete list of nominees across more than 25 categories including "Best Rap Album"; "Breakthrough Artist"; "Best Rap Group"; Best Video"; and "DJ of The Year" listed below.

To vote for this year's nominees please log onto www.ozonemag.com/toa_voting/

BEST RAP ALBUM
Plies - Real Testament
Rick Ross – Trilla
Shawty Lo - Units in the City
UGK – Underground Kingz

BEST RAP ARTIST
Bun B
Lil Wayne
Plies
Rick Ross
T.I.
Young Jeezy

BEST R&B ARTIST
Chris Brown
Keyshia Cole
Ne-Yo
T-Pain
The Dream
Trey Songz

BEST RAP GROUP
Birdman & Lil Wayne
Grit Boys
Little Brother
Playaz Circle
Three 6 Mafia
UGK

BEST LYRICIST
Andre 3000
Bun B
Lil Boosie
Lil Wayne
Scarface
T.I.

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
Flo Rida
Gorilla Zoe
Rocko
Shawty Lo
Soulja Boy

BEST RAP/R&B COLLABORATION
2 Pistols f/ T-Pain "She Got It"
David Banner f/ Chris Brown & Yung Joc "Get Like Me"
Plies f/ Ne-Yo "Bust It Baby Pt. 2"
Ray J f/ Yung Berg "Sexy Can I"
Rick Ross f/ R Kelly "Speedin'"
Usher f/ Young Jeezy "Love In This Club"

CLUB BANGER OF THE YEAR
DJ Khaled f/ Rick Ross, Plies, & Trick Daddy – "I'm So Hood"
Flo Rida f/ T-Pain "Low"
Lil Wayne f/ Static Major "Lollipop"
Playaz Circle f/ Lil Wayne "Duffle Bag Boy"
Shawty Lo "Dey Know"
Webbie f/ Lil Boosie & Lil Phat "Independent"

MIXTAPE MONSTER AWARD
B.O.B.
Gucci Mane
Lil Wayne
Shawty Lo
Trae
Yo Gotti

MOST SLEPT ON ARTIST
BloodRaw
B.O.B.
Killer Mike
Trick Daddy
Z-Ro

PIMP C AWARD (TRILLEST ARTIST) (Not afraid to speak what's on their mind)
David Banner
Kanye West
Killer Mike
Lil Wayne
Trae
Trick Daddy

TJ's DJ's HUSTLER AWARD
Akon
Bigga Rankin
DJ Khaled
Lil Wayne
T-Pain

TJ's DJ's TASTEMAKER AWARD (Trendsetter in music, fashion/style, etc.) Greg Street
Jermaine Dupri
Pimp C
Polow da Don
Soulja Boy
T-Pain

BEST VIDEO
Chamillionaire f/ Slick Rick "Hip Hop Police"
Lil Wayne "Lollipop"
Lupe Fiasco "Hip Hop Saved My Life"
Rick Ross f/ R Kelly "Speedin'"
UGK f/ Outkast "International Players Anthem"

DJ OF THE YEAR
Bigga Rankin
DJ Drama
DJ Khaled
DJ Q45
Greg Street
Tony Neal

BEST MIXTAPE / STREET ALBUM
B.G. & DJ Drama - Gangsta Grillz: Hood Generals
B.O.B. & Mick Boogie - Hello My Name Is BOB
Bigga Rankin & Brisco - From Dade to Duval: WRNR
Chamillionaire – Mixtape Messiah 3
Rich Boy – Bigger Than The Mayor
Shawty Lo & DJ Scream – I'm Da Man 2
Yelawolf - Stereo Y
Gotti & DJ Smallz – Cocaine Muzic

BEST PRODUCER
DJ Montay
DJ Toomp
Drumma Boy
J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Polow the Don
The Runners

BEST RAP ARTIST (WEST COAST)
Ice Cube
Keak da Sneak
Mistah FAB
Snoop Dogg
The Game

BEST RAP GROUP (WEST COAST)
Dem HoodStarz
DPG (Dogg Pound)
Mob Figaz
Strong Arm Steady
The Pack

BEST RAP ALBUM (WEST COAST)
Blu "Below the Heavens"
Keak Da Sneak "Deified"
Mistah FAB "Baydestrian"
Snoop Dogg "Ego Trippin"
Too Short "Get Off The Stage"

LIVING LEGEND AWARD
J Prince

PATIENTLY WAITING: FLORIDA
Ace Hood
BallGreezy
Brisco
Frank Lini
Grind Mode
Haitian Fresh

PATIENTLY WAITING: GEORGIA
Alfamega
B.O.B.
O.J. Da Juice Man
Rock City
Yung LA
Yung Ralph

PATIENTLY WAITING: TEXAS
Damm D
Lil Will
Spark Dawg
TMI Boyz
Trai D

PATIENTLY WAITING: MISSISSIPPI
Gutta Twins
Lil C
Rob Gold
XVII ("Seventeen")
Scrilla Boy

PATIENTLY WAITING: ALABAMA
C Hall
Deuce Komradz
Jackie Chain
Yelawolf

PATIENTLY WAITING: LOUISIANA
3 Deep
9th Ward
Lil Cali
Mack Maine

PATIENTLY WAITING: TENNESSEE
All Star
Cowboy
JAG
Novokane

PATIENTLY WAITING: CAROLINAS
Carlos Cartel
Shelly B
Snook Da Rokk Star
Sonny Rich

PATIENTLY WAITING: KENTUCKY
Hurricane
Kasanova
R Prophet
YV

PATIENTLY WAITING: CALIFORNIA
Bishop Lamont
G. Malone
Jay Rock
Kuzzo Fly
Roccett
The Jacka

PATIENTLY WAITING: ARIZONA
Cinque
Hot Rod
Jiggolo
Willy Northpole

Photo Credit: Ray Tamarra/Contributor