The Cup That Runneth: Legacy Cup’s 2nd Annual Award Show

Here’s the thing about award shows in this industry—they’re either an underground hit, or a mainstream flop. You try to do things the compliant way like Best In Grass, and you get stuck with judge kits in your inventory a year later.

Then theres the New Mexico Legacy Cup. Coming for round two, and if it’s anything like last year, buckle the hell up.

Legacy Cup Woes

Last year’s event had all the right intentions. A platform for local producers, artists, and hustlers to show off their best work in a state still clawing for identity in a saturated, cutthroat market. But what we got was… awkward. The venue had bones—potential even. But it was hollow.

A few brands showed up, but the crowd really didn’t. There was a side room begging for more vendors, but it looked like someone forgot to send the invites.

There was a bar selling the standard $15 White Claws. The food? Classic Bachi Boys, tucked away in a back alley behind a sketchy door.

On the main floor, there were a few more booths—some artists, some operators, all holding it down. But the moment that sealed this event’s fate was the awards ceremony.

The host, clearly underprepared, ran the show from an open Excel sheet on a laptop. Names were misread. Awards were fumbled. Hypeboyz was mistakenly handed the wrong category, called back on stage like it was amateur hour. At one point, PVP somehow snagged Best BHO. Nobody was sure if that was legit or another Excel hiccup.

The final touch? Plastic Easter eggs hurled into the crowd, filled what could be described as flower, although the eggs may have gone bad.

Smarter, Not Harder

To be clear, it wasn’t all trash. There was heart behind it. There were real operators there, trying to make something happen. But good intentions don’t replace execution. Call it a roast or a wake up call. If you’re going to hold a cup in this game, bring more than clout and Canva flyers. Bring structure. Bring real judges. Bring transparency. Hell, bring a functioning laptop at least.

The New Mexico market deserves better. And so do the people still showing up, year after year, hoping it finally hits right.