LIL' WAYNE + T.I. NOMINATED FOR MIXTAPE AWARDS

Rappers LIL' WAYNE, T.I. and hip-hop star DJ DRAMA are among the nominees for prizes at the 2008 Mixtape Awards. Lil' Wayne and the Bring 'Em Out MC will compete against Rick Ross, Young Jeezy and the late Pimp C for the title of Best Dirty South Mixtape Artist, while T.I.'s official DJ Drama is up for three gongs - Best Dirty South Mixtape DJ, Best Mixtape DJ: Kay Slay Award, and Mixtape of the Year for his Gangsta Grillz series. Drama - real name Tyree Simmons - will battle it out against peers like DJ Khaled and Chuck T for the Dirty South award, while Mick Boogie and Big Mike are among those vying for the Kay Slay honour. Other releases nominated for the Mixtape of the Year prize include Joe Budden's Mood Muzik 3, The Game affiliate Juice's Death Certificate, and Lil' Wayne's Da Drought 3. Budden will also compete for the Best East Coast Mixtape Artist award, but will face tough competition from Styles P, Papoose, Saigon and Uncle Murder. The 11th annual Mixtape Awards will take place in New York City on 21 February (08).