It’s that time again. The annual San Diego Music Awards is upon us. From Dixieland to punk rock, the S.D. Music Awards showcases the city’s greatest talent. With past winners like Blink 182, Buck-O-Nine, Tobacco Road and P.O.D., any one of this year’s winners may be just moments away from their rise to fame.

We recently caught up with a few of the nominees to talk about music, San Diego and the life of a musician.

First-time nominee MC Flow for Best Hip-Hop is a queer feminist hip-hop artist. Together for two years, MC Flow rocks the mic with Taylor-Tay dropping beats and GG-Cat providing back up. For the past five years, lyricist MC Flow has lived in San Diego but her roots are in N.Y.C. “San Diego is a big influence,” she said. “… it has a vibrant and terrific music scene.” In New York, solo acts similar to MC Flow are “one in a million,” she said. But in San Diego, she believes her unique style has a chance to stand out.

Influenced by such underground greats as The Streets and Ani Difranco, MC Flow offers San Diego a taste of something entirely new. Originally written and produced, MC Flow is gaining a wide fan base and visibility throughout the city. The trio can be seen at Twiggs Tea & Coffeehouse on Sept. 3 and at the Casbah on Sept. 6.

First-time nominees are the Disco Pimps (for Best Cover, Tribute or Bar Band) who have been entertaining crowds for more than nine years with their spot-on covers of popular dance hits. They are a sight to be seen with their colorful costumes and afro wigs. “Nowadays, we play mostly hip-hop and popular dance hits; whatever gets the crowd going,” the band said. And get the crowd going they definitely do. The Disco Pimps have toured extensively, performing regular shows in Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego. The energy and attitude they create is contagious. “Dennis Rodman loves us,” they said, “and once performed a whole show with us all drugged out… yeah, he’s wild.”

Other local bands to check out are the B-Side Players, who are up for Best World Music, and Slightly Stoopid, nominated for Artist of the Year. The B-Side Players are well-known in San Diego for getting people on the dance floor. Last year, at Old Town’s Cinco de Mayo festival, they had people grooving for blocks with their Latin-fusion wall of sound. The group has won this award three years in a row and is thrilled to be nominated again.

This is Slightly Stoopid’s first nomination as artist of the year. Currently touring Europe, this is one of those bands you just can’t categorize. They are a sweet blend of punk, reggae and Sublimesque, West Coast sound. They give a show that keeps on giving.

To find out more about any of the bands nominated, check out the San Diego Music Awards Web site at www.sandiegomusicawards.com. Click on voting and ensure your favorite artist a spot in San Diego music history. Balloting ends Aug. 31, with winners announced at the awards ceremony Sept. 18 at Viejas Concerts in the Park, located at 5005 Willows Rd. in Alpine. Performing artists such as Switchfoot, P.O.D. and The B-Side Players will make it a night to remember. Tickets are on sale now. General admission is $30 in advance, $35 day of the show. Reserved Golden Circle Table seating is $50 in advance, $75 day of the show. The San Diego Music Awards proudly gives a portion of the proceeds to the Taylor Guitars for Schools program.

You can also see many more of the nominees play live on Friday, Sept. 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Claire De Lune coffee shop in North Park. Claire’s will rock out with an all acoustic show featuring two stages and 33 San Diego Music Award nominated bands. The price of admission is $10. Come out and enjoy both of these great chances to see local talent.