FILM OF THE YEAR - BOYHOOD
Did you catch this? I was completely blown away, I couldn't believe how understated and cool it was. For anybody who doesn't know it's a really unique project in that it was shot over 12 years with the same cast, following a boy through his childhood into young adulthood. It so calmly delivered, and given the journey of the main character was roughly during the years when I went through the same age as him I really enjoyed the whole time capsule element. I don't think I've ever come out from seeing a film and felt more of a sense of familiarity. Interstellar probably could have took the award if it ended 15 minutes sooner, but Boyhood ruled supreme.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR - SINGLES - FUTURE ISLANDS
Nobody from the hip hop community fancied it then? What a dreadful year for hip hop releases. I had the highest of high hopes for Lord Steppington from 'Step Brothers' Evidence and Alchemist, but that didn't deliver. Let the poor releases from the rap community not take away from this gem though. A gorgeous little compilation of synth pop songs, I really feel like Future Islands are set for big things in 2015. They smashed it with that performance on Letterman with the lead single from the album 'Seasons'
SINGLE OF THE YEAR - THAT'S NOT ME - SKEPTA
What an amazing year for grime. A real throw back to the good old days with the help from huge media outlets such as SBTV, Vice and Noisey really saw some memorable moments in 2015. 'German Whip' by Meridian Dan, Bizzles 'Rari Workout' and Skepta's 'That's Not Me' stormed the charts. Newcomers Novelist and Stormzy both had great years get huge attention and bookings up and down the country.
I could write for the rest of my life about why this song is so amazing. It completely captures everything that is so idiosyncratic about grime, from the poor video quality to the first take feel to it. Everything about the song is so perfect with Skepta remixing Wileys flows to really capture that old school grime feel. I wish I could give you the feeling I felt when I first watched this video. (Below are the original and studio versions of the song.)
NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR - THE PISTORIUS TRIAL
2014 encapsulated the Oscar Pistorius trial from start to finish. The shooting of Reeva Steerkamp on valentines day in February to the verdict on the 12th of September. This story amassed huuuuge media attention and rightly so, it was gripping. Wasn't it great tuning in live and watching the courtroom? It was like the OJ Simpson trial or something, you had that feeling the whole world was watching. I'm still in absolute shock that he owned up to shooting an unarmed woman dead and walked away (more or less) a free man. He must still be laughing about it now.
PS. I can't not give a special mention to 'The Fappening' as it was dubbed. Throughout the year a hacker leaked hundreds of nude photos of female celebrities, purely out of the goodness of his heart. That's real charity work. What I wouldn't have given to be in my teen years while that was going on haha.
SHUBBZ OF THE YEAR - THE RED BULL CULTURE CLASH
I can't explain what this was like. I can't begin to do the scale of the event justice. I was lucky enough to go to Earls Court in October and see the four different teams go head to head in a series of rounds until one of them was crowned champions. It was surreal, I'd never witnessed anything like it. When we got to London the branding was just everywhere. Every single bus stop, bus side, poster frame, newspaper front and back, advertising board was advertising the Culture Clash. Even though it was sold out, they were still pushing the brand and the product, it was incredible. I realised the scale of what Red Bull is capable of in an events capacity. The actual event itself was incredible. Streaming world wide there were so many memorable moments, notably Rebel Sound with a dubplate from Rihanna dissing Boy Better Know. Even writing that seems surreal haha, it was crazy. Nothing else compared.
TWEETER OF THE YEAR - RiFF RAFF - @JODYHiGHROLLER
This guy and his brain. I love that he has had a good year. There isn't anything he puts online that isn't absolutely incredible. His Instagram, twitter and vine accounts are all as incredible as each other, next time you're lying in bed going through the social media cycle before you go sleep go check out the shit he posts, he is genius.
TWITTER BREAKDOWN OF THE YEAR - AMANDA BRYNES
Sad? Probably. A cry for help? More than likely. One of those moments where people all over the world are screencapping tweets and sending them to their friends? Most definitely. Amanda Brynes became the latest child star to fully lose it in 2014 with an extremely public outburst regarding her abusive father. Everyone grabbed popcorn.
then just for old times sake
SPORTS MOMENT OF THE YEAR - GERMANY 7 - 1 BRAZIL
Brazil played host to an absolutely incredible tournament of international football this summer in World Cup Brazil 2014. It had plenty of moments, but none so incredible as the absolute hiding Germany gave Brazil in the semi final. Can you remember how clinical and merciless this was while it was happening? Can you remember the Germans letting their foot off the gas in the second half because it was too embarrassing? It was hard to watch at times. Never before have I witnessed such a gulf in class and quality on such a high level. A vine of a young Brazilian kid balling his eyes out became the mascot for the whole situation, we all wondered where it would stop. Match highlights here.
WICKEDMAN OF THE YEAR - ROBIN WILLIAMS
Wasn't this the most heartbreaking thing? A guy we all grew up with in a sense and gave us so many memorable moments tragically took his own life in August after a long bout with depression. Tributes absolutely poured in from all over and I think for the first time in a very long time I was actually genuinely sad that a celebrity had passed away. It lasted more than just a day online, that's when you know it's real haha. It spurred an unofficial Robin Williams movie festival worldwide, with everyone watching their old favourites and even the ones they hadn't seen. Top 3's flooded Facebook and Twitter as the world looked back on a truly remarkable career. Such a shame, but he did leave us an incredible body of work that will live forever.
WICKEDGASH OF THE YEAR - JENNIFER LAWRENCE
I can't think of a single person in the public domain who has won 2014 like Jennifer Lawrence. Constantly busting jokes and breaking down the idea of whiter than white A-list star, she's been absolutely everywhere this year. Not only that, but we got to see her completely unflattering nudes when they leaked this summer. Slouched about, messy hair, no make up, and still looking flames. I don't think I've ever wanted a celebrity to be my girlfriend more than her. She is the best.
WASTEMAN OF THE YEAR - DARREN WILSON
He is the face to front a damning truth and a huge realisation of a generation, certainly myself. The shooting of Michael Brown occurred at the hands of Darren Wilson on the 9th of August this year, sparking huge protest and riots across America. To the disbelief of the world he walked a free man at the hands of the Grand Jury. This, alongside the broad daylight, public slow murder of Eric Garner clearly shows us that Police Brutality and racism are both alive, well and at large in America. Look at this fucking rodents face.
Special mention to Shia LaBeouf, he absolutely completely fucked it for himself this year too.
WASTEGASH OF THE YEAR - TISH SIMMONS
Vine exploded in 2014, and a new sub genre of celebrity was born, the Vine star. Tish was at the front of the pack with a few other guys all because of her awful 'get out my car' vine with her mum. It shot to millions of loops in a few days and that was it, she was huge. Remixes flooded the internet, both sides of the pond, but the truly tragic shit came next when Tish had to follow it. Check out a few of her best/worst efforts that came after her initial fame. Her accent makes me fucking shudder.
That's it then, the second annual Wickedland awards. Hope you agree with my choices, if not comment and let me know what you think should have won. Merry Christmas!
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