Tia Kemp, host of the 2nd Annual NXT Awards, at Coca-Cola Roxy. Screenshot: Shorty Roc / The Khaliseum
The NXT Awards came back bigger in year two, and The Khaliseum had credentials in hand. On Sunday, October 25, 2026, @thenxtawards filled @cocacolaroxy at The Battery Atlanta. Tia Kemp (@yuntietiaback) ran the show in a red gown. Ralo (@ralofamgoon) delivered one of the night's most emotional moments: a tribute to four Atlanta voices the city has lost.
Credentials First
The work started before showtime. Shorty Roc (@shortyrocnyc) stopped by the Now That's TV Network office to pick up the team's media credentials. Earlier that week, @_yamahhhh had announced she would be on the carpet alongside The Khaliseum Network. The ceremony is powered by @nowthats_tv, the independent streaming network founder Teleau Belton launched in 2021, and streamed live on Now That's TV and YouTube, according to the event's press release. @cutwaterspirits sponsored the night.
Tia Kemp Takes the Stage
Kemp came back as host for year two. The scheduled performers included BossMan Dlow, Saucy Santana, Boston Richey, Pretty Ricky and Soulja Boy, Black America Web reported. Kemp held the room together as the night moved from the red carpet to performances, live singing, rapping and dancing on stage. Soulja Boy's set already has its own story here: Soulja Boy Still Cranking: Legendary Set at the 2nd Annual NXT Awards.
Ralo Honors Four Atlanta Voices
Ralo came to pay homage. He presented awards to the families of Young Scooter, Trouble, Shawty Lo and Rich Homie Quan, spoke from the heart, and handed each award over as the crowd moved to their records, with @swampizzo on the turntables.
Each name still carries weight in Atlanta. Shawty Lo, of D4L and "Dey Know," died in a 2016 car crash, Billboard reported. Edgewood's own Trouble, who worked with Young Thug, Gucci Mane and Drake, was shot and killed in 2022 at 34, according to Pitchfork. Rich Homie Quan died in 2024 at 33, and Ralo was among those who paid tribute, talking about how the two had buried the hatchet, Rolling Stone noted. Young Scooter died on his 39th birthday in March 2025, HotNewHipHop reported.
Rich Homie Quan in 2014. Photo: The Come Up Show / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Young Scooter in August 2018. Photo: ALL URBAN CENTRAL / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Why It Matters
Award shows tend to celebrate who's hot right now. This one made room to honor the artists who built the city's sound, and The Khaliseum made sure that moment was captured. Shorty Roc worked the carpet, the floor and the stage with the Khaliseum staff, including @diamondpmc, and even found time for a photo with his "double dates" @thedoubledosetwinss. Thanks to @topdraftpick for the invite, and salute to Shorty Roc and the crew for bringing Atlanta's biggest independent awards night to the people.
From Our Cameras
Shorty Roc on the NXT Awards red carpet as Tia Kemp poses behind him.
Tia Kemp backstage before taking the stage.
The NXT Awards 2026 media credential.
Cameras on the floor during the tribute presentations.
The NXT Awards stage at Coca-Cola Roxy.
Screenshot: Shorty Roc / The Khaliseum
More from the night: Shorty Roc at the NXT Awards, picking up credentials and the Now That's TV Awards announcement.
See it on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/De9MCv7RpJR/
Want more? Download The Khaliseum App at www.thekhaliseum.com/App for full interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and new episodes every week. For press, partnerships or event coverage, email [email protected].
#NXTAwards #TiaKemp #Ralo #RichHomieQuan #YoungScooter #ShawtyLo #CocaColaRoxy #TheKhaliseum #ShortyRocNYC #KhaliseumNews
Comments