Halifax’s finest MC takes home the gold once again. Before the evil cellphone gods intervened, Socks gave us a quick 2008 lowdown. His passport got a workout last year, with a six-city American tour---Sock’s second south of the border---and two European stints. He opened for a few hip-hop demigods, Nas and GZA. And he made all those little puppies-in- purses melt with the smooth I Can Make Your Dog Famous. “But I’m taking a bit of a break trying to finish my new album,” he says. Look for Treat of the Day, out this summer. As for that amazing Where the Wild Things Are-inspired video for “Step to a T-Rex,” it was directed by Sara St. Onge, who’s also shot fantastic videos for Wordburglar, Jill Barber and Final Fantasy, who’s playing here in October with Symphony Nova Scotia.

First runner up: Christina Martin, “Two Hearts”
Second runner up: Laura Peek and the Winning Hearts, “Stand Right There”