Kanye West calls Grammys a joke, takes back Beck diss

 

Kanye West says he has nothing but respect for Beck. The Grammys? Not so much.
West paid a visit on Ryan Seacrest and his "On Air" radio show Wednesday to expound on his post-Grammy diss of the surprise Album of the Year winner.

The rapper walked up the steps at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as Beck was accepting his award Sunday night but retreated before re-enacting his interruption of Swift at the VMAs. During an aftershow on E!, West ranted that Beck should "respect artistry" and turn over his statue to fellow nominee Beyonce.

West told Seacrest of his stair-climbing antics: "It was kind of a joke like the Grammys themselves."
And the post-show rant?

"This is our Super Bowl, you know, and someone's gotta be mad that Marshawn didn't get the ball," he said. Marshawn being Beyonce in this scenario but Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch in actual life.

As for "respecting artistry," West explained he was upset that Beck didn't mention other nominees as worthy in the category during his speech.
"Beck is one of the nicest guys and one of the most respected musicians in the game, so it's nothing that I would want to do as a fellow musician, to disrespect him in any way," he said. "That was a miswording on my part."

West went on to describe the Grammys thusly: "They're like a broke clock. They're right only, like, twice a day."

Original post found here: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/02/11/kanye-west-rolls-back-diss-beck-but-calls-grammys-joke/

Sia's Husband Wrote Shia LaBeouf's Loving Grammy Intro

Shia LaBeouf reads a love letter to Sia written by her husband at the Grammy Awards Kevork Djansezian/Getty

Erik Lang and actor conspired for gift to singer-songwriter. "She was completely surprised and had no idea," sources say of actor's "Chandelier" intro

One of the stranger moments at the 2015 Grammy Awards was when actor Shia LaBeouf introduced Sia's "Chandelier" performance in an exceedingly heartfelt manner. The singer and the actor had collaborated on the controversial "Elastic Heart" music video, but even that didn't warrant LaBeouf's poetic outpouring. However, as Us Weekly later discovered, LaBeouf instead used his intro to read a surprise love letter penned by Sia's husband Erik Anders Lang.

 

 

The unabridged note read, "For Sia: I feel like this may be strange to say this here. I love you so. Punch me if I stop crying. I raised a white flag for you, defeated finally. If strength were made of broken pieces, you and I would always win. It is, though, and building and statues wink at us. I could squeeze you to zero. I’ll never know another. What am I going to do? Punch me if I stop crying, and I'll do the same. Love, Erik."
Within the context of the Grammys, where many presenters stumbled due to the teleprompter, LaBeouf's reading of a handwritten poem seemed especially odd, but given what we now know, the introduction makes a little more sense. Sia and Lang were married this past August at her home in Palm Springs, California.
"Erik and Shia conspired together and did this as a gift to Sia," the source told Us Weekly. "She was completely surprised and had no idea." However, because the 1000 Forms of Fear singer faced the wall during her "Chandelier" performance, giving the spotlight to dancer Maddie Ziegler and surprise guest Kristen Wiig, viewers were unable to see the look on her face after LaBeouf delivered his introduction.

Original post found here: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/sias-husband-wrote-shia-labeoufs-loving-grammy-intro-20150209

Grammys Preview: Sam Smith Could Steal Spotlight from Beyonce, Taylor Swift

As the music industry began to pour into L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles for a day of Grammy Awards festivities on Sunday, one question was on everyone’s lips: Can Sam Smith pull off a four-category perfecta this evening.
The 22-year-old English singer is nominated in all four of the Recording Academy’s so-called general categories, a rare feat in itself. He is largely considered a shoo-in as best new artist, and his debut Capitol collection “In the Lonely Hour” is a strong contender for album of the year honors. His first big Stateside hit “Stay With Me,” in Rodney Jerkins’ so-called “Darkchild version,” is up for song and record of the year. “In the Lonely Hour” has been on the U.S. chart for 33 weeks, and has sold in excess of 1 million copies.
Should Smith prevail in all four slots, he will become only the second performer to sweep the major categories in one year. At the 1981 ceremony, Christopher Cross took all four awards, winning for his self-titled album and his hit single “Sailing” while collecting best new artist kudos.
Before Smith’s tally is announced to the public on CBS’ evening telecast (out live at 8 p.m. ET and delayed on the West Coast), approximately 70 awards (out of 83 total categories) will be presented at the 12:30 p.m. pre-telecast show, now dubbed the Premiere Ceremony and held at the Nokia Theatre, adjacent to Staples Center, site of the broadcast show.
Hosted by country singer Hunter Hayes, the Premiere Ceremony will unveil pop, R&B and country winners, as well as kudos in niche genres – American roots music, world music, jazz, gospel and contemporary Christian, classical, children’s music, spoken word, Latin and new age. As it has in recent years, the show will stream live on the Recording Academy’s website, grammy.com.
At the evening show, Smith will face challenges in the big categories from other contemporary hitmakers. Beyonce – holder of 17 Grammys and a six-trophy winner in 2010 alone – could unseat him in the album of the year category with her self-titled album, which made a huge late-2013 splash when it was released online without any advance publicity.
Other potential spoilers include mega-selling country/pop star Taylor Swift, whose late-2014 single “Shake It Off” is angling for song and record of the year; songwriter-performer Meghan Trainor, competing in the same categories with her bootie anthem “All About That Bass”; and Aussie rapper Iggy Azalea, tabbed for best new artist and up for record of the year with “Fancy.”
Visit Variety.com for more Grammy news and a complete list of winners.

Original post found here: http://variety.com/2015/music/news/grammys-sam-smith-taylor-swift-hunter-hayes-1201427617/

7 Grammy Snubs In 2015's Nominations

Each year's Grammy Award nominations bring happy surprises and unexpected snubs, and 2015 was no different. When these seven were left out, Grammy watchers were left collectively shaking their heads.

Idina Menzel - "Let It Go". Courtesy Walt Disney

1.  Idina Menzel - "Let It Go"

The song "Let It Go" from the soundtrack to the Walt Disney film Frozen, as performed by Idina Menzel, turned into a major pop hit against all odds. Idina Menzel had tried in the past to extend her Broadway success into pop markets and failed. Walt Disney even released a Demi Lovato recording of the song intended for the mainstream pop market.  However, despite being ignored by mainstream pop radio, the Idina Menzel version included in the film became a top 5 smash relying on purchases and on-demand streaming from fans.
With that type of breakthrough success, it would seem that "Let It Go" might be a shoo-in for a Song of the Year nomination. However, that wasn't to be the case, and one of the most memorable new songs of the year is relegated to a Best Song Written For Visual Media nomination after winning Oscar gold earlier this year.
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Beyonce - "Drunk In Love". Courtesy Columbia

2.  Beyonce - "Drunk In Love"

Yes, Beyonce is resting at the top of the heap this year with six Grammy Award nominations and a nod for Album of the Year. However, her powerfully erotic and romantic "Drunk In Love" is surprisingly missing from the Record of the Year and Song of the Year lists. It will contend for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. Despite having won 17 Grammy Awards, Beyonce has never snagged the coveted Record of the Year award, and this year won't be her year either.
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MAGIC! - Rude. Courtesy SME

3.  MAGIC - "Rude"

For those who believe that Recording Academy voters blindly follow sales figures in generating Grammy Awards nominations, you need only look to the absence of "Rude" by Canadian reggae pop band MAGIC! among this year's nominees to refute that notion. This record was clearly the song of the summer of 2014 for many pop fans spending six weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. However, that did not convert into any Grammy love.
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Lady Gaga - Artpop. Courtesy Interscope

4.  Lady Gaga - ARTPOP

Reviews of Lady Gaga's experimental album ARTPOP were certainly mixed, but many critics also acknowledged there were moments of brilliance. A particular standout was the R. Kelly collaboration "Do What U Want." However, Recording Academy members did not see it that way, and ARTPOP is left completely out in the cold all three previous albums received Album of the Year nods. Lady Gaga herself did receive some acknowledgement with her Tony Bennett collaboration Cheek To Cheek nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.
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One Direction - "Story Of My Life". Courtesy Columbia

5.  One Direction - "Story Of My Life"

Traditionally, Grammy voters show little appreciation for the work of boy bands. However, with four consecutive #1 albums and music that is increasingly receiving positive reviews from critics, it looked like One Direction might possibly receive their first Grammy Award nomination this year. "Story of My Life" has been given acclaim for its move in a more adult direction for the band. Unfortunately, fans will have to hope next year is One Direction's year at the Grammy Awards.
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Lana Del Rey - "West Coast". Courtesy Interscope

6.  Lana Del Rey - "West Coast"

Last year when Lana Del Rey received her first two Grammy Award nominations for Paradise as Best Pop Vocal Album and "Young and Beautiful" from The Great Gatsby for Best Song Written for Visual Media, it looked like the ice had been broken for the moody singer. However, that is not the case. The top 20 charting single "West Coast" and her first #1 album Ultraviolence are nowhere to be found among this year's Grammy Award nominations.
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Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes. Courtesy Columbia

7.  Bruce Springsteen - High Hopes

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen sometimes seems like a perennial nominee. In fact he received Grammy Award nominations in eight consecutive years from 2003 through 2010. He received three more nominations a year ago, and early in 2014 released the album High Hopes. Critics seemed pleased by the work, but maybe that fact that it is somewhat of a patchwork of previously unfinished songs and covers soured Recording Academy members on granting any nominations.
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Original post found here : http://top40.about.com/od/grammyawards/tp/7-Grammy-Snubs-In-2015s-Nominations.htm

Beyonce, Sam Smith look to rule Grammy night

 

Beyoncé already has 17 Grammy Awards to her credit, making her one of Grammy’s most awarded women. But what has eluded her has been the top prize for album of the year.
Look for her to snag that honor at the 57th Grammy Awards Sunday night.
She, producer-singer Pharrell Williams and singer Sam Smith lead nominations with six apiece.
Here’s how some of the nominations should shake out.

Album of the year

• Beck, “Morning Phase”
• Beyoncé, “Beyonce”
• Ed Sheeran, “X”
• Sam Smith, “In the Lonely Hour”
• Pharrell Williams, “Girl”
Kevin’s pick • Beyoncé’s self-titled opus was a game-changer, easily her most satisfying project to date. Williams just won album and record of the year last year for his work with Daft Punk, so we count him out of the top prize this year. Smith, Sheeran and Beck are also respectable choices, but don’t look for an upset.

Record of the year

• Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX, “Fancy”
• Sia, “Chandelier”
• Sam Smith, “Stay With Me” (Darkchild Version)
• Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”
• Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”
Kevin’s pick • What should have been a face-off between Azalea, Smith, Swift and Beyoncé (who isn’t nominated here) is Swift’s to win. Sia could upset. But how is “All About That Bass” on this list?

Song of the year

• “All About That Bass,” Kevin Kadish & Meghan Trainor, songwriters (Meghan Trainor)
• “Chandelier,” Sia Furler & Jesse Shatkin, songwriters (Sia)
• “Shake It Off,” Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
• “Stay With Me,” James Napier, William Phillips & Sam Smith, songwriters (Sam Smith)
• “Take Me to Church,” Andrew Hozier-Byrne, songwriter (Hozier)
Kevin’s pick • The Grammys will spread the wealth around at the top, with Smith taking this prize for his haunting ballad. Again, what’s “All About That Bass” doing here?

Best new artist

• Iggy Azalea
• Bastille
• Brandy Clark
• Haim
• Sam Smith
Kevin’s pick • This category is a hands-down win for the sensitive Smith. Not even Azalea can upset things here.

Pop solo performance

• John Legend, “All of Me” (Live)
• Sia, “Chandelier”
• Sam Smith, “Stay With Me” (Darkchild Version)
• Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”
• Pharrell Williams, “Happy” (Live)
Kevin’s pick • A tough category here with a couple of truly deserving winners. Smith wins it narrowly over Swift.

Pop vocal album

• Coldplay, “Ghost Stories”
• Miley Cyrus, “Bangerz”
• Ariana Grande, “My Everything”
• Katy Perry, “Prism”
• Ed Sheeran, “X”
• Sam Smith, “In the Lonely Hour”
Kevin’s pick • Smith catches a break in the absence of Swift here (her album was released too late, so look for it to dominate at next year’s awards), leaving the field open for him.

Rock album

• Ryan Adams, “Ryan Adams”
• Beck, “Morning Phase”
• The Black Keys, “Turn Blue”
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, “Hypnotic Eye”
• U2, “Songs of Innocence”
Kevin’s pick • Grammy won’t favor Beck in the overall album of the year category, but he should be able to edge out the Black Keys, just barely, in this category.

Alternative music album

• Alt-J, “This Is All Yours”
• Arcade Fire, “Reflektor”
• Cage the Elephant, “Melophobia”
• St. Vincent, “St. Vincent”
• Jack White, “Lazaretto”
Kevin’s pick • Arcade Fire and St. Vincent would be fitting choices; White seemingly belongs in the rock album category. But it’s a win for White.

Dance recording

• Basement Jaxx featuring ETML, “Never Say Never”
• Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne, “Rather Be”
• Disclosure featuring Mary J. Blige, “F For You”
• Duke Dumont featuring Jax Jones, “I Got You”
• Zhu, “Faded”
Kevin’s pick • Voters will be happy to honor both a hip newcomer (Disclosure) and Grammy favorite (Blige) in one fell swoop.

Urban contemporary album

• Jhene Aiko, “Sail Out”
• Beyoncé, “Beyoncé”
• Chris Brown, “X”
• Mali Music, “Mali Is…”
• Pharrell Williams, “Girl”
Kevin’s pick • Beyoncé’s triumph here is one of the night’s most guaranteed wins.

R&B abum

• Bernhoft, “Islander”
• Aloe Blacc, “Lift Your Spirit”
• Toni Braxton and Babyface, “Love, Marriage & Divorce”
• Robert Glasper Experiment, “Black Radio 2”
• Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, “Give the People What They Want”
Kevin’s pick • It feels like Jones’ time. And her coming off a bout with cancer that delayed her album and accompanying tour caps a great Grammy story.

Rap performance

• Childish Gambino, “3005”
• Drake, “0 to 100/The Catch Up”
• Eminem, “Rap God”
• Kendrick Lamar, “I”
• Lecrae, “All I Need Is You”
Kevin’s pick • Grammy voters make up for shading Lamar last year with this award.

Rap album

• Iggy Azalea, “The New Classic”
• Childish Gambino, “Because the Internet”
• Common, “Nobody’s Smiling”
• Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP2”
• Schoolboy Q, “Oxymoron”
• Wiz Khalifa, “Blacc Hollywood”
Kevin’s pick • While it would be great to see Common win here, this looks like a trip to the podium for Azalea. But don’t count out Eminem, who always does well in this category.

Country solo performance

• Eric Church, “Give Me Back My Hometown”
• Hunter Hayes, “Invisible”
• Miranda Lambert, “Automatic”
• Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”
• Keith Urban, “Cop Car”
Kevin’s pick • Church’s rising star will receive some extra shine with this award.

Country album

• Dierks Bentley, “Riser”
• Eric Church, “The Outsiders”
• Brandy Clark, “12 Stories”
• Miranda Lambert, “Platinum”
• Lee Ann Womack, “The Way I’m Living”
Kevin’s pick • Clark doesn’t stand a chance in the best new artist category, but a win here would be more than a consolation prize.

---

‘The 57th Grammy Awards’
When • 7 p.m. Sunday
Where • CBS
Performers • Performers include Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney, Madonna, Beck and Chris Martin, Beyonce, Common and John Legend, Katy Perry, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Mary J. Blige, Juanes, Hozier and Annie Lennox, Jessie J and Tom Jones, and Adam Levine and Gwen Stefani, AC/DC,Eric Church, Beyonce, Common and John Legend, Ariana Grande, Miranda Lambert, Usher, Pharrell Williams, Brandy Clark and Dwight Yoakam, Sia, Herbie Hancock, John Mayer and Questlove and Ed Sheeran, Lang Lang. LL Cool J hosts.
Live coverage • Join us at STLtoday.com Sunday night for photo galleries and updates on the winners and performances.

Original post found here: http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/beyonce-sam-smith-look-to-rule-grammy-night/article_bc88f21a-c22b-5e2e-823b-9caf90799e38.html

Grammy Awards will deliver music with messages

(Photo: Jordan Strauss, Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

The times are always a-changin' in pop music, and the world around it. And the people who bring you the Grammy Awards say that Sunday's ceremony will reflect those dynamics.
"A fair amount of social commentary" will be incorporated into the performances, says Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, which stages the event (CBS, live at 8 p.m. ET/tape-delay PT). "Different writers and artists have different points of view about issues and concerns. We like to elevate those thoughts and put them in context. ... It's appropriate for the Recording Academy to put a spotlight on what artists are thinking."