Will.I.Am Supports 1^st Annual Data Awards
03:00PM ET December 1, 2009
Contributor : Eddie "Spotlight" Yancey, III
A Rocky Williform Company

Back in the early days of hip hop, the DJ was just as important as the artist he or she DJed for, if not more important. DJs in this day in age don't necessarily get the credit they deserve. Will.i.am is looking to give national DJs more credit. Today, the entertainer will announce the First Annual Data Awards, which will be held on January 30, 2010 in Los Angeles. The Data Awards, which is a partnership with Will.i.am and Dipdive, will honor some of the hottest names in the DJ fraternity. Some of the award categories include: Best Original Track, Best Remix, Best Dance DJ/Producer Solo, and Best Dance DJ/Producer Group. At his press conference this afternoon, Will.i.am will further discuss the concept and layout of the award show.

This should be another good look for DJs nationwide. The Data Awards is in conjunction with the Grammy Awards Week so that should give DJs even more exposure on a national event that has as much prestige as the Grammys. It will also give them an opportunity to reach more genres of music since most genres are represented at the Grammys.