The red carpet was buzzing with activity hours before the show started and numerous media outlets and photographers were on hand for interviews, no doubt causing whiplash for drivers on Ventura Boulevard.
Organized by director Gianna Taylor, and ably hosted by Olivia O’Lovely and Sean Michaels, the awards started off on the right foot by honoring the past (and present) in a Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Present to accept the honor was Jeannie Pepper, Mr. Marcus, Julian St. Jox, Byron Long, Devlin Weed and Sean Michaels. Heather Hunter, Ray Victory, Vanessa Del Rio and Johnny Keyes were also inducted into the Hall of Fame, but weren’t there to accept the award.
The introduction of the Hall of Famers earned a standing ovation from much of the crowd, many reminiscing about their own memories of the honorees on the stage.
“I think it’s important to have a night like this,” Pepper said, “to honor those who came before and paved the way for others to succeed. I had a great time during my time in the industry and I think a night like this validates our community’s efforts to be recognized and honored like the rest of the entire adult industry. This is something special to me.”
The evening’s entertainment included a hip-hop dance performance from male performer J Strokes, comedy from emcee Evan Lionel, spoken word from the Punani Poets, and Mic XXL and Dysonn performing “Right There,” Tommy Gunn’s theme song while Gunn danced on stage with starlets August and Olivia O’Lovely.
New Evil Angel director Brian Pumper closed the show with a live performance his trademark flow. Pumper also won in the Best Specialty Release category for “Black Girls Foot 2.”
In a business where competition is fierce and relationships can become contentious, Mr. Marcus, who won an Urban Spice Award for Best Male Performer, said that he was feeling the love.
“This night has been a long time coming,” Mr. Marcus said. “As a black person in America you struggle for recognition, for acceptance. This show is everything that’s right about the black community and the black people in adult entertainment. To be honored like this, to be respected in this way, among people who knows what it feels like to be in your shoes is touching. It’s a celebration of what we do and who we are.”
Awards in key categories included Black Market for Best New Studio, Alexander Devoe for Best Director (Body of Work) and West Coast Production for Best Studio. Roxy Reynolds won Best Female Performer.
The name of West Coast’s founder, James Alexander, was invoked numerous times a true pioneer of urban ethnic adult entertainment. Alexander is credited with jump starting many of the awards show attendees careers and Devoe called him a trailblazer.
“Without West Coast I don’t know how many of us would be here tonight,” one of the company’s directors and well-known performer Mandingo said. “James [Alexander] is like a father to many of us.”
At the end of the night after the awards were given out Lexington Steele summed it up best.
“We’ve come a long way, baby,” he said. “But the best is yet to come. Believe that.”
Attendees included Devlin Weed, J Strokes, Brian Pumper, Rico Strong, Shorty Mac, Gianna Michaels, Sophie Dee, Ashlynn Brooke, Anabolic’s Dan M, Black Market’s James Melendy, Krystal Clear, Roxy Reynolds, Marie Luv, Sasha Grey, Tricia Devereaux, Julia Ann, Jessica Drake, Brad Armstrong, Deep Threat, Lee Bang, Hooks, Pinky, Cherokee, Jon Jon, Amber Peach, Priya Rai, Tony T, Ivan, Juan Cuba, Sara Jay, Byron Long.
The winners were as follows:
Best All-Sex Release – “Sneaky Sex in the Shower” (Evasive Angles)
Best Anal-Themed Release – “Black Ass Addiction 2” (Alexander Devoe/Jules Jordan Video)
Best Anal Sex Scene – Brian Pumper and Aurora Jolie
Best BBW Release – “Infattuation” (Female Factory/Black Market)
Best Big Boob Release – “Big Wet Black Tits 2” (Elegant Angel)
Best Big-Booty Release – “My Baby Got Back 44” (Afro-Centric/Video Team)
Best Feature – “Ransom” (West Coast Productions)
Best Girl-Girl Series – “Sistas” (Afro-Centric/Video Team)
Best Girl-Girl Release – “Womenopoly 2” (Black Market)
Best Gonzo – “Yo Quiero Chocolate 4” (Candy Shop / Red Light District)
Best Group Sex Release – “Alone in the Dark 6” (Candy Shop / Red Light District)
Best Interracial Release – “Lex on Blondes 4” (Mercenary Pictures)
Best Interracial Series – “Phat Ass White Booty” (Alexander Devoe/Jules Jordan Video)
Best MILF Release – “Sexy Bootylicious Moms” (West Coast Productions)
Best New Company – Black Market
Best Oral – “Pinky's Dick Sucking for Dumb Asses” (Black Market)
Best Amateur Release – “Amateur Prospects” (Black Market)
Best Pro-Am Release – “Black Moon Rising 6” (Mercenary Pictures)
Best Reality Release – “Girlfriend That's My Man” (West Coast Productions)
Best Specialty Release – “Black Girl's Foot 2” (B Pumper Productions)
Best Two-Way Sex Scene – Marco Banderas and Marie Luv, “Minority Rules” (Wicked Pictures)
Best Wall-to-Wall – “China Blue” (Teravision)
Best Vignette Release – “Freakaholics 2” (Alexander Devoe/Jules Jordan Video)
Best Agency with Ethnic Talent – Five Star
Best Anal Performer – Marie Luv and Jasmine Cashmere (tie)
Best Director (Body of Work) – Alexander Devoe
Best Director (Feature) – Bishop
Best Director (Gonzo) – Juan Cuba
Best Female Performer – Roxy Reynolds
Best Interracial Star – Belladonna
Best Male Newcomer – J Strokes
Best Male Performer – Mr. Marcus
Best Oral Female – Jada Fire
Best Oral Male – Byron Long
Best Studio – West Coast Productions
Best Videographer – Vanessa Blue
Biggest Ass in Porn – Cherokee
Crossover Female – Roxy Reynolds
Crossover Male – Lexington Steele
Freakiest Girl in Porn – Monique
Hottest BBW Star – Crystal Clear
Rising Star Female – Misty Love
Visionary – Alexander Devoe and Lexington Steele (tie)
