Taylor Bembery
Blue & White Flash / Variety Editor
Artist A$AP Rocky and Machine Gun Kelly are up for the title of mtvU “Woodie of the Year” award and the competition is at an all time high. Along with other nominees like Kendrick Lamar, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, fun., Grimes and Walk The Moon, the two rap sensations seem to be confident about their chances of nabbing this year’s “Woodie of the Year” award.
A$AP Rocky, a Harlem born and bred rapper, has a successful track record. His album, “Long.Live.A$AP.” was a number one album on Billboard 200, selling approximately 139,000 copies even after being leaked a month before the release. A$AP admitted to being salty about the leak but said the response of his fan base has over shadowed it.
A$AP performed at last year’s show and added how his experience was.
“I was sick as a dog. I really had a bad cold, it was like a fever and the flu. I was performing trying my best,” said A$AP Rocky. When it was over, I started throwing up mucus, it was disgusting but it was a good show and a great experience.”
A$AP Rocky also had some advice for artists who will be performing at the mtvU Woodie Awards Festival this year for the first time.
He said, “Have as much fun as you can and be yourself on that stage or else it’s going to eat you alive!”
He is definitely confident and already claiming this year’s award.
“They call me Lord Flocko and I’m the next Woodie!” said A$AP Rocky.
Machine Gun Kelly is not lacking when it comes to achievements in his career either. He was MTV’s Hottest Breakthrough MC in 2011, was a part of XXL’s Freshman Class of 2012, and he took home the “Breaking Woodie” award at last year’s show.
“Woodie was great for independent and upcoming artists like myself. I like how they keep it to a certain level and continue to put on for underdog artists,” said MGK.
MGK believes that his fan base will help him bring home the “Woodie of the Year” award.
“I think you just have to look at the facts, when you put my fans up against any other fans, [the other fans) lose. That’s not my opinion, I have a cult fan base, they do whatever whenever,” said MGK.
MGK also has other projects coming up. His “Lace Up Tour” just kicked off on Feb. 28 in Boston, Mass. and he also has an anticipated mixtape entitled “Black Flag” that will be released in the coming months.
No matter how much the two are confident about their position for who will take home the mtvU “Woodie of the Year,” the decision is still in the hands of the fans and viewers.
Eric Conte, Exective Producer of the 2013 mtvU Woodie Awards said the Woodie Awards is giving the best indie artist in the industry the opportunity to shine.
“A lot of awards shows are representing artists and music that has already sold hundreds of thousands of records and had a lot of exposure. It was definitely a void to celebrate the artists that were talented and massively critically acclaimed but weren’t getting the radio play that they necessarily needed or deserved,” said Conte.
The show has evolved a lot as far as production. Conte said mtvU and the Woodie Awards will continue to stay focused and true to the goal of celebrating music college students love year after year.
To vote for your favorite artists, visit woodies.mtvu.com. Cast your vote today because voting closes on Mar. 14 and don’t forget to tune in to watch the Woodie Awards on Mar. 17 at 8/7c on MTV and mtvU.
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