Well, that time of year has come again, for the nominees list for the Source Awards. There really are no NICE suprises here, pretty much what you would expect from this publication, no suprises, just what the mainstream, money-making, corporate music world dictates. Well, in all hopes of a breath of fresh air, really, there's nothing but some stale breathing goin' on here. So...here they are...by category...vote if you may. Much love goes out to the pioneers Kool DJ Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, back when hip hop was something FRESH!

Artist of the Year, Solo

Jay-Z

DMX

Master P

Busta Rhymes

Snoop Dogg

Artist of the Year, Group

Outkast

The Roots

A Tribe Called Quest

Gang Starr

Goodie M.O.B.

New Artist of the Year, Solo

Big Pun

Lauryn Hill

Juvenile

Noreaga

Eminem

New Artist of the Year, Group

Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz

Black Star

Flipmode Squad

Harlem World

Black Eyed Peas

Single of the Year

"Can I Get A... " - Jay-Z w/Ja Rule & Amil

"Ha" - Juvenile

"Still Not A Player" - Big Pun w/ Joe

"Whatcha Gonna Do" - Jayo Felony w/ DMX & Method Man

"It Ain't My Fault" - Silkk The Shocker

"Money Ain't A Thing" - Jermaine Dupri w/ Jay-Z

Album of the Year

Jay-Z - "Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life"

DMX - "It's Dark and Hell is Hot"

Outkast - "Aquemini"

8Ball - "Lost"

Lauryn Hill - "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill"

Master P - "MP Da Last Don"

Lyricist of the Year

Big Pun

DMX

Jay-Z

Redman

Dre of Outkast

Producer of the Year

Swizz Beats

Beats By The Pound

Track Masters/L.E.S.

DJ Premier

DJ Scratch

R & B Artist of the Year (what does a hip-hop mag know about R & B?)

TLC

R. Kelly

Mya

Brandy

Dru Hill

Video of the Year

"I'll Bee Dat" - Redman, directed by Little X

"What U See" - Xzibit, directed by Gregory Dark

"Turn It Up" - Busta Rhymes, directed by Paul Hunter

"Is It You? (Deja Vu)" - Made Men w/ Master P, directed by Dave

Meyers

"What's It Gonna Be" - Busta Rhymes w/Janet Jackson, directed by

Hype Williams

Live Performer of the Year

Outkast

Busta Rhymes

DMX

Method Man/Redman

The Roots

Movie of the Year

"The Player's Club"

"I Got The Hook-Up"

"Belly"

"He Got Game"

Lifetime Achievement Award

Russell Simmons

Pioneer Award

Kool DJ Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash

The Source Sports Athlete of the Year Award

Shaquille O'Neal