With city kid Wiz Khalifa being hailed as if he were the Sidney Crosby of hip-hop, the timing is right for the first annual Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards.

Wiz Khalifa is among the nominees for the first Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards. Click photo for larger image. Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards Where: Hilton Pittsburgh, Downtown. When: 7 p.m. Sunday; doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets: $20; $100 VIP; $900 VIP table for 10; go to http://pittsburghhiphopawards.com. Related articles Five questions for Grandmaster Mele Mel Paradise's vision: 'One city, one people, one 'hood'

The event will take place Sunday at the Pittsburgh Hilton and will be hosted by hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Mele Mel, the Bronx rapper who delivered "The Message" with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and whose next career moves will be a new CD this month and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March. He will be joined by Paradise the Architect from the X-Clan, out of Brooklyn, and comedian Michael Blackstone.

The awards are the creation of Pittsburgh-based concert promoter Dwayne Muhammad of 360 Entertainment.

"I wanted to have an award show to honor those unsigned or unseen artists that pulled their nickels and dimes together to go in the studio to make a song but never got any recognition for it," Muhammad says. "This being my 10th year in concert promotion, I decided to come back and give something to the people. I also wanted to recognize the pioneers of Pittsburgh like Sly Jock, Nick Nice, Stan the Man, Tuffy Tuff. It's also a way to bridge the gap between the old school and the new school."

As Vibe mentioned in the Wiz Khalifa review, Pittsburgh has yet to produce a superstar MC. But that doesn't mean the city hasn't had an impact on the hip-hop scene. Among the artists with ties to Pittsburgh are the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA, Budda (who worked with Ice Cube), Mel-Man (one of Dr. Dre's key producers and a Grammy winner for his work with Eminem) and Sam Sneed, another rapper-producer from Dre's L.A. camp. (While we're at it, we might as well mention that Chuck D always wore a Pirates cap and Snoop loves the Steelers.)

Muhammad says the lack of hip-hop stars out of Pittsburgh is not a reflection of the talent there.

"This right here is really like a shot in the arm. A lot of people were building, but they weren't getting anywhere because they didn't have the connections to the industry. I pretty much have the whole industry in my Blackberry. Using my contacts, I decided to bring the industry to Pittsburgh."

Muhammad says Vibe magazine is covering the event, Def Jam will be here, along with 4th Disciple and "affiliates" of the Wu-Tang Clan, and it will be broadcast on the Real Hip-Hop Network. There will also be 12 live performances during the show.

The award categories include artists, producers, athletes, even hip-hop clothing stores, and the nominees have been busy online and on myspace hyping the vote with their friends and followings. Some of their colorful pitches can be found at www.myspace.com/pittsburghhiphopawards.

Here are the nominees:

Male artist: J. James, Play Bizzle, Wiz Khalifa, Prototype, Zio and 3-60.

Female artist: Lovely, Angel Eye, Baby Sis, Da Button Pusha, Lady Homi and Man D.

Duo or group: R.A.W. Ent., The Govament, Crave, Alumni Music, Mano Y Mano, Eviction Notice.

Producer: E-Rock, Juliano, Nesia Beats, Mindbenders, Big Jus, Lokken Load Ent., DJ Huggy.

Lyricists of the Year: Crazie A, 2 G'z, Joe Beast, Wiz Khalifa, Waxx Netty, Pk Poo.

Mover and Shaker Award: Cardell Collins, Meanstreet Ent., Nesia Beat, Kellee Maize, Justin Strong, Omar Abdul.

Mixtape Solo: Play Bizzle, Joe Beast, Top Dollar, Ym. Dakid, Ems.

Mixtape Group: Bully Ent, Da Sinate, Matt Dillinger -- Assault Series, Fast Eddie Productions, Schorchin Hot.

Best Hip Hop Record Store: 720, Dorsey's, Stedefords, Upbeat, Timebomb, Brave New World.

Best Hip Hop Clothing Store: Already Inc., Sneaker Villa, Timebomb, Hip Hop City, Mo Gear

Best Hip Hop Video: Dat Deal DVD, Crave -- Real Chick, Wiz Khalifa -- Pgh Sound, Da 412 DVD, Nova -- L Is for Love.

Best B-boy: Kid Cuba, Moe, Ambition.

Best Graffiti Artist: Block Wear, Kyle Holbrook, Mook, Capone.

Best Inspirational Artist: Nahledge, Real Deal Brady Hill, Tjuan, Scribe, Light Tha Flo Minista, RXC/Classic 1824.

Recording Studio: Firehouse, I.D. ??Labs, Mindbender, War Room, Ya Momz House.

Club DJ: Nuke Knocka, Schizo, Selecta, Supa C, Tsunami and D. Maxwell.

Radio Personality: J Kruz, Bonics, Ki Ki, Boogie, Blakk Steel.

Best Hip Hop Web site: Uwebtv.com, Cravedemboyz.com, Gametightkicks.com, 720records.com.

Concert/Party Promoter: Nakturnal, Nate Tha Phat Barber, Da Button Pusha, Fab 5 Ent., Exclusive Ent., Basick Sickness.

Best athlete (pro): Charlie Batch, Mike Logan, Swin Cash, Verquan Kimbrough and Monte Clay.

Best Athlete (college): Darrell Revis, Justin King, Steve Breaston, Darrin Walls, Tyler Palko.

Best Athlete (high school): Dejuan Blair, Isaiah Wilkerson, Lamont Smith, Marcell Farrish, Shawniece Johnson.

Voting continues through Friday at 7 p.m. online at pittsburghhiphopawards.com.