2005: The AllHipHop.com Alternative Year In Review

Best R&B Artist Mariah Carey– Mariah showed us her fire in 2005, a whopping 15 years after her solo debut album dropped. Not only did she come with pure heat on her songs and videos, at 35-years-old she looks better than ever and still sounds like an angel. The beauty of Mariah’s success this time […]

Best R&B Artist

Mariah Carey– Mariah showed us her fire in 2005, a whopping 15 years after her solo debut album dropped. Not only did she come with pure heat on her songs and videos, at 35-years-old she looks better than ever and still sounds like an angel. The beauty of Mariah’s success this time around is that she didn’t have to say much to prove her point – she just did the damn thing.

Alicia Keys

John Legend

Bobby Valentino

Raheem DeVaughn

Best R&B Album

Mariah Carey The Emancipation of Mimi (Island) – It’s okay to admit you giggled when you heard the title. Who was Mimi, and what was the emancipation all about? Despite the initial raised eyebrows, Mariah came through with a collection of classic R&B songs that made even the harshest of critics swoon, and gave fans that raw soul that we loved her for from day one.

Alicia Keys Unplugged (J Records)

John Legend Get Lifted(G.O.O.D./Sony)

Raheem DeVaughn The Love Experience(Jive)

Mint Condition Livin’ the Luxury Brown(Caged Bird)

R&B Single of the Year

Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” (Island) – Once again, Mariah’s magic touch grabbed at the heartstrings of listeners around the world with her 16th Number One career single. Written and produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, and Johnta Austin.

Amerie “One Thing” (Sony)

Omarion “Touch” (Sony)

Bobby Valentino “Slow Down” (Disturbing Tha Peace)

Mario “Let Me Love You” (J Records)

Best Reggae / Dancehall Artist

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley – The youngest of the Marley clan, Damian brought a political edge and social commentary back to popular music in his own special way. His monster single “Welcome To Jamrock” lit up radio, video and dance floors with a prowess that channeled his family’s legacy and summoned the youthful angst of fans everywhere.

Sean Paul

TOK

Rihanna

KMC

Best Reggaeton/Latin Artist

Daddy Yankee – Just when we were tiring of gyrating bi-lingual boy bands and the crappy Spanish-guitar laden R&B knockoffs, along came Daddy Yankee to save the day. The Reggaeton movement has been going strong for over a decade, and in recent years the world is respectonizing the amazing music. Whether he is lapping up awards or parlaying on TRL, Daddy Yankee brings a strong presence and mature sensuality to the scene.

Tego Calderon

Shakira

Don Omar

Voltio

Best Gospel Artist

Yolanda Adams – True to her home state of Texas, Yolanda Adams did it big again in 2005 with her album Day By Day. With 14 years of recording under her petite belt, she’s still belting out some of the most impactful gospel songs of our time.

Kirk Franklin

Fred Hammond

Best Alternative International Act of the Year

M.I.A.

– Galang anyone? Okay, so we don’t know what the heck she’s talking about most of the time in her songs, but we know hot when we hear it. M.I.A. took the cultural and political influences from her life experiences and stepped to the world with a swagger all her own.

Esthero

Shakira

Poet of the Year

The Last Poets – We know some of you didn’t peep The Last Poets until Common’s “The Corner”, but it’s time these veterans of spoken word get their just due. Their first recorded album was released in 1970, and the revolutionary fire from their records, books and stunning live performances has influenced singers, emcees, producers, and other poets across the board.

J. Ivey

Saul Williams

Movie Of The Year

Hustle & Flow (directed by Craig Brewer, MTV Films) – Maybe you loved it, maybe you hated it, or maybe you didn’t see it at all (boo to the armchair critics!). At the end of 2005, no film caused more controversy in the Hip Hop community than this absorbing, humanizing look at the unglamorous life of a Memphis pimp going through a mid-life crisis. Howard delivered the standout performance of his career in his first true leading role, and we all learned how to make a crunk beat in two minutes flat. Like Get Rich or Die Tryin’, a stellar soundtrack supported this effort. Props to Terrence Howard for making elderly white folk want to “Whoop That Trick”.

Crash (directed by Paul Haggis, Artisan)

Four Brothers (directed by John Singleton, Paramount)

Rize (directed by David LaChapelle, Lion’s Gate)

Hitch (directed by Andy Tennant, Tristar/Columbia)

Drama King

Terrence Howard – Even though he’s been acting for years, 2005 seemed to be the start of something beautiful for Terrence Howard. He started out the year on television with HBO’s Lackawanna Blues and the Oprah Winfrey-produced Their Eyes Were Watching God. He played the good cop in John Singleton’s Four Brothers, he came strong as the pimp you hated to love in Hustle & Flow and made even the strongest men shed a tear in Crash. His leading man roles in videos for Ashanti and Mary J. Blige added a little extra sexy to his resume, and we’re ready for more!

Jamie Foxx

TV Series We Couldn’t Get Enough Of

America’s Next Top Model – Drama, suspense, Tyrades, and lessons on walking the runway – we love this show!

Everybody Hates Chris

Being Bobby Brown

Girlfriends

Making The Band 3

Hottest Choreographer/Dancer

Laurie Ann Gibson (Making The Band) – Her resume includes work with Alicia Keys, Brandy, Usher, and she helped make Jessica Alba appear to be able to do something that looked somewhat like dancing in Honey. In 2004 and 2005 Laurie Ann boom-kak’d her way into our hearts on Making The Band 2 and 3, and we just adore her!

Tanisha Scott (Sean Paul, Ne-Yo)

Roland “RoRo” Tabor (Omarion)

HiHat (Missy Elliott, Ludacris)

Devyne Stephens (Ciara)

Alternative Video of the Year

R. Kelly “Trapped In The Closet” – all chapters (directors R.Kelly and Jim Swaffield) – We don’t know what ‘The Arrah’ was thinking when he created his R&B opera, but we couldn’t get enough of it!

Omarion “Touch” (director Diane Martel)

Shakira “La Torturro” (director Michael Haussman)

Mariah Carey “Shake It Off” (director Jake Nava)

Ciara “Oh” (director Fat Cats)

Pop Ya Collar – Best Fashion Line

Baby Phat – Kimora Lee kicked some ass in 2005 with her incredible line of head-to-toe Hip Hop chic. The AHH staff never got ahold of that mugshot tee though, so hook us up!

Sean John

LRG

Bust-A-Gut Award

Dave Chappelle – The plot thickens, and Dave is still our King Of Comedy!

Mike Epps

Chris Rock

Independent Alternative Artist

Maya Azucena – She charmed audiences all over NYC in the ’05, and has worked with dead prez and Smif N Wessun. Maya has a lot to offer R&B, and looks good doing it!

Eric Roberson

Mint Condition

Christion

Amount Boyz

For The Grown & Sexy

Melyssa Ford

– From pinup girl to video vixen to on-air host, Melyssa is that chick. Her Hip Hop sensibility and supermodel smile made her the one to watch!

Eva Pigford

Sports Player Of The Year

Lebron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) – Even though those Sprite commercials really suck, there’s no way to deny Lebron’s gifts on the court. The stats speak for themselves.

Reggie Bush (USC 2005 Heisman Trophy)

Tiger Woods (2005 Masters and British Open)

Serena Williams (2005 Australian Open)

The Number One Spot – Slow Jam

Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” (Island)

Marques Houston “Naked” (The Ultimate Group)

Don’t Call It A Comeback

Mariah Carey

The Naked Truth

Marques Houston – A lot of people got comfortable in their own skin, but Marques Houston really gave us something to talk about. Little Roger has grown up!

Paris Hilton Award

Nicole Richie – Oh, the irony!

R. Kelly

Karrine “Superhead” Stephens

Beyonce