I think that the reason why Reprazent and Ram Records got more recognition than american DJs is because Roni/Reprazent won the mercury music prize for New Forms and has generally been a vital parts of the scene for around a decade, and because Andy C is the one of the main heads of Ram, voted best DJ more times than anyone can remember, and reknown for managing a label that consistanly releases great tunes with a unique Ram sound . I think if a DJ wanted to be recognised at the highest level in this scene, he needs to either be consistantly great in producing tunes, consistantly great in performing out, managing a label that outdoes all others in its releases and promotions, or all of the above. This british DJ's that are mentioned above are recognised not because of their heritage, but because of their contribution to the scene, they may have been recognised faster than if they were from another country, because of them being situated close to the scene's mecca (London), but this doesn't mean they were recognised any more than they deserve. I mean, look at the recognition that Greg Packer gets in Oz, Marky in Brazil, or Makoto in Japan, they now gets the same recognition back in England, and this is because their contribution to the scene in their own country has been so great, that it has affected the scene as a whole. Everyone gets the recognition they deserve, including the americans.
My two cents