Best Local Rap Act

Mingo

Interestingly, the man voted Best Local Rap Act has the distinction of being the first artist to take a stab at legitimizing the underground Wortown scene with his first disc, My Ride. It's a commercial-ready shot in the ass that flowed with a stylish smoothness and laid-back vibe as good as what's now on JAM'N 94.5. Mingo hauled off on academia, sang about the simple love of driving his car, remembered fallen friends, and gave Wortown its proper anthem in the instant classic "Beantown-Wortown." Not content to release an album of his own material, Mingo (real name Domingo Guyton) became part of the brain trust of 3rd Degree Records. Releasing a second great disc with Billy Pain's Scorpion Summer, and an impending release from Kaz, 3rd Degree will bring the still-mysterious Wortown scene up from the underground and straight into the daylight. Meanwhile, Mingo will finish work on his first music video. By releasing My Ride, not only has Mingo given the Worcester music community a great album, but also he's set the foundation for other local rappers. The gauntlet has been thrown. Who's got the juice to better it?

-- John O'Neill