Even though my hatred for awards shows is well documented, I tuned into the Grammys anyway because the Rockets weren't playing and Rock of Love II wasn't on for another couple of hours. This being the 50 year anniversary of the awards show was also another reason to tune in. I'm not a regular viewer of the Grammys, but it seemed to have an unusually high amount of "tributes" and "lifetime achievement" awards. Like I said, this could have been typical Grammy fair or it could have been because of the 50 year anniversary, I don't know.
What I do know is this: Alicia Keys was lookin' smokin' hot during her performance of "No One", I love Jason Bateman, "The Pretender" sounded really epic (but I still hate the song) and Kanye West is a huge dick. After winning the Grammy for the best rap song, West proceeded to go on stage and trash-talk other artists and predict his victory in the "Album of the Year" category. Then they started playing the "hurry up" music he finally got around to giving a shout out to his late mother. When the music wouldn't stop he started to insult whoever is in charge of the music for playing it while he was going on about his mom. I sympathize with the guy, but c'mon, if you would get over yourself for the first half of your acceptance speech, they wouldn't have to try to drown you out when you are talking about your dead mom. Later on, Kanye performed "Stronger" and it was only saved because Daft Punk came out of that sweet lookin' triangle and totally had their way with the sample. It was very cool.
Fast forward through another hour and a half of lifetime achievements and awkward presenter pairings and we come to Amy Winehouse's live performance. Sadly, it was kind of cool. Not because I like her music or anything, but because she stayed up until the wee hours of the morning and did it via satellite from London. She also won the award for "Record of the Year".
More fast forwarding and we get to the daddy award: "Album of the Year". I was convinced Amy Winehouse was going to win but the the Grammys gave everyone a collective kick in the balls and gave Herbie Hancock the award. I, like everyone else was shocked. Admittedly, I have never heard this album but after hearing Herb's (can I call him that?) acceptance speech I was so glad he won. In an age where Clear Channel and MTV decide what and who is cool, its refreshing to see a man with such incredible musical ability and who is over the age of 28 to win the award. Yeah, I have Graduation and listen to it but I don't think its worthy of Album of the Year. Compared to some of the most influential hip hop albums over the past two decades, it doesn't even compare. Yeah the beats are inventive and fresh, but that's only half of what makes a good hip hop album. Kanye has become a far better lyricist since College Dropout, but he still pales in comparison to Biggie, NaS, TuPac and Mos Def. Any album by those four guys has great, minimalistic beats, deep, gritty lyrics and the all-important "rewind" ability. You know what I mean, the "oh shit, rewind that" factor.
So, while the Grammys weren't enough to get me start watching awards show from start to finish, I can honestly say I had a pretty good time watching them. I got to see some cool performances and I got to see some history (Hancock was only the second Jazz artist in 43 years to win "Album of the Year"). There was also a John Mayer sighting; which is always a good thing.
Also, here's my current favorite song/band:
What I do know is this: Alicia Keys was lookin' smokin' hot during her performance of "No One", I love Jason Bateman, "The Pretender" sounded really epic (but I still hate the song) and Kanye West is a huge dick. After winning the Grammy for the best rap song, West proceeded to go on stage and trash-talk other artists and predict his victory in the "Album of the Year" category. Then they started playing the "hurry up" music he finally got around to giving a shout out to his late mother. When the music wouldn't stop he started to insult whoever is in charge of the music for playing it while he was going on about his mom. I sympathize with the guy, but c'mon, if you would get over yourself for the first half of your acceptance speech, they wouldn't have to try to drown you out when you are talking about your dead mom. Later on, Kanye performed "Stronger" and it was only saved because Daft Punk came out of that sweet lookin' triangle and totally had their way with the sample. It was very cool.
Fast forward through another hour and a half of lifetime achievements and awkward presenter pairings and we come to Amy Winehouse's live performance. Sadly, it was kind of cool. Not because I like her music or anything, but because she stayed up until the wee hours of the morning and did it via satellite from London. She also won the award for "Record of the Year".
More fast forwarding and we get to the daddy award: "Album of the Year". I was convinced Amy Winehouse was going to win but the the Grammys gave everyone a collective kick in the balls and gave Herbie Hancock the award. I, like everyone else was shocked. Admittedly, I have never heard this album but after hearing Herb's (can I call him that?) acceptance speech I was so glad he won. In an age where Clear Channel and MTV decide what and who is cool, its refreshing to see a man with such incredible musical ability and who is over the age of 28 to win the award. Yeah, I have Graduation and listen to it but I don't think its worthy of Album of the Year. Compared to some of the most influential hip hop albums over the past two decades, it doesn't even compare. Yeah the beats are inventive and fresh, but that's only half of what makes a good hip hop album. Kanye has become a far better lyricist since College Dropout, but he still pales in comparison to Biggie, NaS, TuPac and Mos Def. Any album by those four guys has great, minimalistic beats, deep, gritty lyrics and the all-important "rewind" ability. You know what I mean, the "oh shit, rewind that" factor.
So, while the Grammys weren't enough to get me start watching awards show from start to finish, I can honestly say I had a pretty good time watching them. I got to see some cool performances and I got to see some history (Hancock was only the second Jazz artist in 43 years to win "Album of the Year"). There was also a John Mayer sighting; which is always a good thing.
Also, here's my current favorite song/band:
1 comment:
The National is boss, bro.
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