Athens urban business owners and artists claim their local culture is overshadowed by the University of Georgia. The Athens Hip Hop Awards was created to avoid this alleged erasure, says Awards Co-director Mokah Johnson.

“The Athens Hip Hop Awards was [created] to spotlight the urban Athens community, all the workers here, business owners, talented artists that’s putting in the work.”

Some of these people participate in the Athens Hip Hop awards as a way to recognize and spotlight the urban Athens community. This includes business owners, artists, and performers.

One performer, Lemuel “Life Laroche,” believes the University exploits their local culture.

“Why do we have 40% poverty, why do we have 40% poverty with all these non-profits in town, with all of this money that’s flowing through here? So the University of Georgia becomes the elephant in the room.”

The awards were held this past Sunday. Some honors included hair salon of the year, soul food restaurant of the year, poet of the year, and others.