Shelly B aka Hollywood Shellz

3rd Annual Carolina Music Awards to kickoff July 18th, 2010 at the Progress Energy Center in Raleigh North Carolina, hosted by the Queen of the Carolinas Hip Hop superstar Shelly B.

3rd Annual Carolina Music Awards 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 08, 2010 – Raleigh North Carolina—June 2, 2010—O Ent, today announced that entertainment star and Queen of the Carolinas - Shelly B has been tapped to host the 3rd annual #1 rated Carolina awards show among southern viewers, the CAROLINA MUSIC AWARDS sponsored by Budweiser. This much-anticipated special will broadcast LIVE from the Progress Energy Center in Raleigh on Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 8:00 P.M. on U Stream.com with an official rebroadcast on Carolinas FOX 50 Affiliate station.

Continuing a tradition of honoring and showcasing the industry’s hottest stars in music, and entertainment from the Carolinas, CM AWARDS ‘2010’ sponsored by Budweiser is poised for another chart-topping night of never-before-seen moments. The night promises plenty of excitement with scheduled performances by some of the hottest Carolina artist around. The CM Awards are the culmination event for the Official I love Music Weekend July 16th -18th. The weekend focuses on Music and Arts appreciation kicking off with several events Saturday July 17th.

The excitement is ever increasing in the Carolinas with the announcement that several popular radio personalities J Rok from Rock 103FM, Big B of Coast 97.3FM, Kalim Hasan of Soul 104.5FM, and Sha'Linda Pruitt - Online Editor K97.5/Radio One will be presenting at the awards. According to event insiders a few additional surprises to the CM Awards will be officially announced at a later date.

“We are thrilled that Shelly B is going to host the CM AWARDS ’2010,” commented Omar McCallop, CM Awards President, CEO/Founder of O ENT. “Her versatility as a performer perfectly matches the conceptual theme of our show. This will be the event of all events. Get ready for some amazing performances and entertainment that will knock you out; all helmed by ‘The Queen of the Carolinas.’”

One-woman entertainment conglomerate Shelly B is sure to reign supreme as host of this year’s CM AWARDS ’2010. Blessed with style and substance and a serious shoe game, Shelly B is a two time CM Award-winning musician, television host and entrepreneur. Her abilities to grace the stage and captivate the audiences with her personality and style is a sure bet to become the talk of the Carolinas.

CM AWARDS ’2010 will recognize the achievements of artists and entertainers in 16 categories. Best Male and Female Hip Hop Artist, Model and DJ of the Year, Producer of the Year, and recently added category for New CM Awards Artist: Hip-Hop Male. Outside of the urban categories, CM awards will be presented for Best Rock Male, Female and Group, Best Country Group, Male and Female Artist. According to CEO Omar McCallop “Our ability to present a unified Carolina music scene puts us in front of the competition and brings awareness to all music of the Carolinas not just one segment”.

On the social media front, CM AWARDS ’2010 will focus on digital exclusives and interactivity. There will be several Pre-show performances in Chapel Hill, Charlotte, and Rocky Mount that will live only on digital platforms. Internet users will be able to live stream the shows and interact with Carolina’s leading trendsetters.

On July 17th - CM Awards will Presents DJs Vs Artist Basketball Classic & Cookout Hosted by Core DJ Ike G Da. And finally the launch of the Youth Music Movement will take place building anticipation for the newly created Youth Music Awards coming in 2011.

For two years the CM AWARDS has reigned as one of the highest rated and most memorable celebrations in Carolina entertainment, rivaling all Carolina awards shows. Having escalated each year in industry influence, celebrity nominations, attendance and one-of-a-kind performances, CM AWARDS has undoubtedly established itself as the hottest ticket in the Carolinas.

For continuous CM AWARDS ’2010 updates, including live streaming details for the show, please visit: http://www.carolinamusicawards.com/. Additionally, stay on the pulse of any and everything relating to the CM AWARDS ’2010 through our Twitter page at www.twitter.com/CMAWARDS (hash tag: #CMAWARDS) and Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/CMAwards.

We are proud to be in our 3rd year of the Carolina Music Awards and our focus continues to be to shine light on artist in the Carolinas in Rock, Hip Hop, Country and R&B. This year we are excited to have the support of the City of Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau and an increased number sponsors and supporters. Every year we look to make this event more and more beneficial to Carolina artists and support the great music made right here in the Carolinas.

We are focused on one singular objective, the development of the music industry in the Carolinas while encouraging growth in our music both present and future.

The CM Awards will focus on the hottest music/artist in the Carolinas (North & South) in most genres; however we will honor artist outside the Carolinas as well. This is the official request for your support. We are currently looking for sponsors, advertisers, volunteers and anyone with an interest in supporting the CM Awards and music in the Carolinas.
- Pr Log

For over 30 years Rap music has inspired a generation of power players to take the stage and present themselves to the world for all to witness. Some may say the male dominated and machismo of Rap Music often plays the role of the Club bouncer when it comes to letting women in Rap music. There have been some true female pioneers for Rap Music. Those who have told the bouncer to take five I’m on the VIP list only to get into the Rap game and show these men how it’s done. So we must shout out all the pioneer sisters who’ve paved the way. So in order to fully appreciate this female pioneer for the Carolinas one would have to look at her humble beginnings, her unwavering grind and notorious work ethic to truly appreciate Shelly B. A yearly award recipient in the Carolina’s ' Carolina Music Awards 2008 -2009, North Carolina Underground Music Awards 2008 ' 2009. Nominated for various other awards throughout the southern this talented Diva is more than just a well packaged artist for the masses. There is definition and substance to her words, her ethics, her relationships in the industry and her grind. If you don’t know you will after reading this interview Shelly is the real deal as the Gods have spoken.

Beyond Race:

You been labeled the Queen of Carolina Hip Hop for quite some time how have you been able to

maintain this honor and what will you do to continue to carry the Carolina's for Women in Rap Music.

Shelly B:

I think all artists have different formulas for success and their ways of going about maintaining progress.

In anything I set out to do, mine has always been keeping God first, believing in myself, working for

myself and working as hard as if every day is my last. A title means nothing, but it is everything to have

been able to gain that respect, through genuine talent and work ethic. I think staying true as much as I

can to the grind and to the people is what keeps them in my corner. As far as continuing to carry the

Carolinas for Women of Hip Hop, I will continue to do what I’ve been doing never giving up no matter

how complex the game gets for us women. I will continue to represent us all, through the music, the

struggle of the grind, as well as continue to spread the message that we are just as strong as the men

without the Co Signs, the pretty face and bad bodies. I am confident in saying that my accomplishments

came from hard work and not image, and I will continue to hold us women down in that respect.

Beyond Race:

We've seen you on stage, TV, and hear your music throughout the Carolina's but who is Shelly B the

personality, the woman?

Shelly B:

A strong woman, one who has seen a lot of struggles, dedicated my entire existence to music and

making it since high school. Every day is about a grind to me rather it’s a 9 to 5, a studio recording, a

show performance, chasing an interview for my TV show or trying to break myself into another market

outside of the music. So there is a lot of seriousness to the Shelly B personality, but I do believe in

working hard to play harder. I have a lot of fun outside the image Shelly B. I am a shoe fanatic as I’m sure it’s rather evident from my new single [Shoe Fetish], and I am very into fashion, so I do lots of shopping with my spare time. I am a family woman, time divided amongst my immediate family, relationship and closest friends are very important to me as well. We bug out, cut up and have a ball. I love food, and I cook I was raised well thanks mom. I love to try exclusive restaurants, new movies and I am a Lifetime freak on Sundays. LOL. Other than that, it’s trying to stay on top of things always and staying focused on my business goals.

Beyond Race:

How long have you been in the Rap game?

Shelly B:

I have been a writer for almost a decade, playing around with the music. That doesn't include the grind or the pursuit of music as a career. I think I became serious in marketing myself and doing the foot work about 5 or so years ago.

Beyond Race:

Being a Woman in Hip Hop what is your overall opinion on how woman are portrayed, and do you feel there is a glass ceiling for women in rap music?

Shelly B:

I think that through a lot of the women that actually break through to a certain status, we are portrayed as dependents. It is as if we are dependent on the men, the images, the "sex selling" factor, dependent on the statistics of woman as a whole, and co-signs. Yes there is a glass ceiling, not just for woman in Rap, but women as a whole. Hilary said it best during her campaign for the presidential nomination. There is and always will be a barrier that represents struggle for woman breaking through something. There has also been lots of woman in Rap who have made cracks in that ceiling, paving the way, making us believers such as MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Salt N Pepa, Lauren Hill & Eve. These women proved that we can be businesses, movements, and move units real numbers and at the same time be inspirations and role models for other young girls/women to follow.

Beyond Race:

Let's talk Carolina, there is so much talk about Carolina not supporting their own artist but you tend to be the exact opposite as everyone is shouting your name, How are you able to overcome this obstacle?

Shelly B:

If I don’t see the support in a certain area or aspect, I just keep it moving on to the next. Yes of course we would like to see more unity. We’d love to see more regional artist who have earned their way breaking into commercial radio in their own cities for one example. But you can’t make people support you, you have to continue to do what you do and move from there. The music and the talent, the personality, the showmanship and grind will speak for itself one day, and that is what I strive off of. In additional to promoting the importance of support, and unity, that’s all I can do. My momma always told me to "plant ya seed and watch it grow".

Beyond Race: Who are some of the Carolina artist that has influenced you?

Shelly B: Wow! I could go on for days naming artist out here that have an influence on me. A solid grind in itself is a motivator every day. What drives me is to see another trying to get it, and struggling in the process but going harder than ever. Our whole movement, how we go unseen to the commercialized market is a motivator. I have built with just about every artist, producer, model, videographer, radio personality, DJ that there is in Carolina at some point. And If I’ve missed any it’s bound to happen soon to say the least. What’s real? is the uniqueness of that persons story, talent, focus, or grind and its inspired me in some way. Shout out to the Carolinas man.

Beyond Race: There has been talk of a re-invented and re-branded Shelly B, what is all of this about?

Shelly B:

Growing, that’s all. Every artist has to achieve growth to move forward. It’s time for Shelly B to move up to the next level in this game, in my career. A lot of what you all have witnessed with my career has been this young talent who has constantly pushed herself out there for the world to see. There has been no structures, no plan, most of the time no team, no artist development etc etc? just the love that I have for this being forced out of me through passion. I have graduated that era and acquired the team who truly has Shelly B's best interest at heart. I have thrown myself into this game with little knowledge of how things go at the beginning, so I had to go through many experiences that gave me the opportunity to learn and grow and understand the many different elements of it. You are about to see all of that progress within the new Shelly B Brand. You have seen Shelly B the rapper for years. Shelly B the business is about to be presented to the people. All I can hope for is acceptance and support.

Beyond Race: If you had the opportunity to do a song with three non-rap artists who would are they?

Shelly B:

Wow, how can I narrow that down GRACIOUS!! ummm, Nelly Furtado, Frankie Beverly , MJB..haha I don’t know those were off the top, there are dozens of artist period I’d love to work with, those are a few of my favorites.

Beyond Race: We have to ask cause the fellas want to know - are you single?

Shelly B: Do they really?? haha, I am truly focused on what I gotta do to succeed in this life.

Beyond Race:

You are considered in a lot of circles a MC and it's evident with your body of work that you are not afraid to go against a male mc on a song. Do you find it difficult to get your just due as a lyricist because you are a woman?

Shelly B:

Nope, not when I open that barrel and let the shots fly haha. I always gained respect once one experiences a Shelly B song, lyric, performance, freestyle etc. Of course from the first look or two people who have not heard my talent, I get noooo she looks like a singer, or she can’t rap. But that quickly comes to an end when I spit something. It’s fun lol.

Beyond Race:

For a long time Shelly B the artist has held her own with fashion trends without being over the top like most expect a woman MC to be. What is your take on the way woman Hip Hop artist are marketed in this industry, and how will you continue to go against the grain?

Shelly B:

I think that of course there can be more balance. There is a need for all types of music, concepts and looks in our genre. But right now and for a long time, women in hip hop have been marketed one way. I don’t knock one who might market themselves through a provocative image. Everybody had their way and so to each their own. I do feel that there should be room made and more open minds to the opposite or something different. I will continue to go against the grain by just doin me.

Beyond Race: Where can people find more on Shelly B at?

Shelly B:

My grinding hours all day every day. www.myspace.com/shellyb, www.youtube.com/shellybtv www.youtube.com/bigtymetv100 facebook @Shelly Bulletz, twitter ShellyBMusic, get @ me.

- Beyond Race Magazine

http://www.nancioradioshow.com/2009/04/shelly-b-tv-launch-big-tyme-tv.html - The Nanci O Radio Show

http://www.carolinaallday.com/feb09.html - Carolina All Day