First-Ever Jammy Winners!

JVibe Staff

For those of you who are seeing JVibe for the first time, let's rewind for a sec. Our initial petition for a Jewish Grammy has been denied, but a strong re-appeal is in the works. In the meantime, we figured what the heck?! We'll hold our own Grammys! And if you already checked out this story in our print magazine, read on for the digs on our winners!

It's the moment you've all been waiting for. Our Jammy (get it, Jewish Grammy...) nominees have been scrutinized from every angle. In the end, you voted on their musical talent alone. Who cares if Madonna is still hot in her new album Confessions on a Dance Floor? And what about the Beastie Boys? Are they over the hill? Can Matisyahu really pull off the look and the beat? Okay: let's cut the suspense and see what you thought!

Outstanding Jewish Male Singer

This one was close, but there was only one winner.

3rd Place...Heath Brandon

Runner-up...Subliminal

And the winner is... Matisyahu

By now, we've all heard of the Chasidic reggae-master Matisyahu –he's all over the radio and even has a music video for his single, "King Without A Crown." His current album, Live at Stubb's features his 2005 performance in Austin, TX, complete with several rounds of knock-your-uggs-off beatboxing. His new studio album, Youth , will hit shelves on March 7 th , so keep the date because these babies are gonna go faster than the matzoh balls in Bubbie's kitchen. Visit his website at www.matisyahu.org.

Outstanding Jewish Female Performance

We're surprised with Madonna's popularity in this category, considering she's not even Jewish. What can we say, la vive Madonna! But the real winner is a very talented and Jewish chick.

3rd Place...MC Shiri

Runner-up...Madonna

And the winner is...Rachel Stevens

Rachel Stevens is the hottest thing the UK has to offer right now besides David Beckham. Formerly of the pop group S Club 7, she released her debut solo album Funky Dory two years ago. Now, she's cleaning up with her newest album, Come and Get It . Not only did she rake in several Top 10 hits, but Glamour Magazine recently voted her "Woman of the Year." Learn more about this pop sensation at www.rachelstevensofficial.com.

Outstanding Jewish Group

The winner in this category was only distinguished by a single vote! It seems we have two outstanding Jewish groups. But there was one that stood out just a head above the rest...

3rd Place...The Hip Hop Hoodios

Runner-up...Blue Fringe

And the winner is...Guster

Guster is pretty much the band that you'd most want to hang out with. Lucky for you, our JVibe exclusive interview with band member Adam Gardner is going to grace the pages of our May/June issue. While some may know them as the sweatiest live performers ever, they can rock some pretty creative harmonies. The drummer even attacks his percussion-set with his bare hands (we love his nickname–Thundergod). Past albums are definitely staples of our collection, including 1998's Goldfly and 2003's Keep It Together . But a new one is on the way! Ganging Up on the Sun will be blessing us with its debut on June 13 th . Visit www.guster.com to hear their music and see a video of the band tossing their couch off a balcony.

Best Jewish Singer You Wish Would Refer More to Being Jewish

There are so many great Jewish singers, and unfortunately, many of them do not in any way refer in their music to being Jewish. We had to add a fourth to this category.

4th Place...Pink

3rd Place...Jakob Dylan

Runner-up...Jack Black

And the winner is...Lenny Kravitz

One thing's for certain: Lenny's Jew-fro tops them all. Not only does he pump out rockin' tunes, but he's also got a social conscience: Lenny played with other top musicians at New York's Madison Square Garden to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. His most famous single, "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" and his top-notch cover of "American Woman" get our blood pumping every time, and his new Greatest Hits album is sure to deliver all the best of Lenny. Visit www.lennykravitz.com for more.

Best Jewish Camp Music

There was actually a tie for the runner-up in this category. We have some devoted campers in our midst, who feel that second place should go to....

Matt Stamm and Beyond Eden.

And the winner is...Rick Recht

It's a common memory in many a camper's mind: chanting Rick's hits around a campfire or in an energetic song session. Rick actually tours camps around the country every summer, putting on rocking shows for his devoted audience. Albums like Tov (1999), Shabbat Alive LIVE (2005), and the newest studio release, Tear Down the Walls (2005), present modern, folky-rock versions of classic Jewish songs and prayers. Visit Rick at www.rickrecht.com.

Best Jewish Album

Another close race here, but it looks like hip hop takes the day. Give it up for JVibe 's favorite Latino-Jewish super group.

3rd Place... Meshugga Beach Party , 20 songs of the Chosen Surfers

Runner-up... Celebrate Hip Hop by Jewish Artists from around the globe

And the winner is... Agua Pa' la Gente by The Hip Hop Hoodios

The Hip Hop Hoodios are some of the craziest hombres on the block. They turn out beats so hot you'll literally break out into an involuntary pop-and-lock routine. Not only do they have an incredibly original sound, but people are saying their lyrics are funnier than those of the Beastie Boys. Their new release Agua Pa' la Gente is obviously worth checking out–just go to www.hoodios.com.

The Isaiah (named for the prophet Isaiah, this is the person who makes you want to go out and change the world)

3rd Place... I'm Ain Ani Li by Craig Taubman

Runner-up... Olam Hesed Yibaneh by Susan Kates

And the winner is.... Shalom Baolam by Rick Recht

We've already dished on Rick, but Shalom Baolam (World Peace) is worth another look. Put your cheese-factor detectors on hold and realize that this spirited, inspirational song is one of his most widely-loved tunes–NFTY and USY kids are known to chant for it during his live performances. You can listen to a sample of the studio track, featured on 1999's Tov , at www.rickrecht.com.

Lifetime Achievement

We have to say, we might have disowned you as readers if you'd chosen differently on this one. There are some solid bands out there, but there's one guy who's just untouchable.

3rd Place...Beck

Runner-up...The Beastie Boys

And the winner is...Bob Dylan

Mr. Dylan does it again. As one of the most renowned singer/songwriters of all time, Bob's made his mark with timeless hits like "All Along the Watchtower," "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and "Like a Rolling Stone." Last September saw the latest must-have in the Dylan repertoire–Martin Scorsese's documentary of Dylan's life, entitled No Direction Home . The film's soundtrack features 26 never-before-heard tracks that Dylan recorded between 1959 and 1966. At age 64, the guy's still playing sold-out shows to gigantic audiences. Check out the legend himself at www.bobdylan.com.