Two of 2009’s most successful stars were the big winners at the annual dubstepforum.com awards.

Bristol-born producer Joker and Brummie producer emalkay were the big winners as they won best producer and best track respectively.

The awards gathered nearly 6,000 online votes and it was the Dubstep community that voted Joker as a clear winner. He brushed aside challenges from 16-bit and Skream, who finish second and third, gathering more than 300 votes on his rivals.

2009 was a big year for emalkay and he celebrated it by winning ‘Best Track’ for his huge anthem ‘When I Look At You.’ The tune was tearing up abandoned warehouses all over the country and that was enough for it to edge out Excision & Datsik’s ‘Swagga’ and also Joy Orbison’s ‘Hyph Mngo.’ However, it was a bit disappointing not to see Doctor P’s ‘Sweet Shop’ on the shortlist.

Orbison may have come third in the track voting, but he was celebrating later on. Gaining over 1200 votes in the process, Orbison, real name Pete O’Grady, was crowned ‘Best New Producer.’ He edged out Datsik and Trolley Snatcha, amongst others, to take the title and set himself up perfectly for what will surely be a big 2010 for the London-based producer.

Elsewhere, legendary producer Skream won best DJ, beating the likes of N-Type and Plastician. However, that was not to be Skream’s only prize. He also won the award for Best Remix for his infectious re-work of La Roux’s ‘In for the Kill.’ Nero’s cover of The Streets’ ‘Blinded by the Lights’ was nudged into second and that man Joker was back again, coming third for his cover of Simian Mobile Disco’s ‘Cruel Intentions.’

Meanwhile, Radio 1’s Mary Anne Hobbs took away the Best Radio Show award, and 16-bit had a consolation for coming so close in the Best Producer stakes, by winning the Best Mix for his Milky Pie Mix. Hyperdub won best album for ‘5 Years’ and teamed that with winning Best Label, gaining more than 200 votes more than Dub Police.

Rinse. FM won the Best Radio Station, while the brilliant GetDarker.com won Best Website. Juno won Best Music retailer and ‘DMZ’ won best event, beating the legendary ‘FWD’ into second.

Flowdan won best MC, beating the likes of Rod Azlan and Crazy D easily, and to wrap it all up, Swamp 81 won Best New Label.

The awards showcased what a brilliant 2009 the world of Dubstep had. Expect 2010’s shortlist to be just as good, if not better, and expect there to be a lot more votes fly in as the hottest genre in Britain continues to grow and grow.

Words: Chris Quinn