INDUSTRY TALK: Is the Gimmick-Driven, Auto Tune Era in Music Ending?

We've all been subjected to the past few years in music. With the emergence of flamboyant, larger-than-life personalities such as Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj, and the widespread abuse of Antares' Auto Tune, The music industry has churned out batch after batch of prepackaged, cookie cutter pop stars. Not to say that these people don't have amazing natural talent, but these days talent is playing second fiddle to an artists ability to keep the media talking with controversy. That aside, along comes Adele. This juggernaut of an artist is like the organic fruit in a room full of processed snacks. Dean Cramer of http://www.kingsofar.com gives a better rundown in his article which you should read here This is something indie artists need to take to heart. Maybe it's better to be who you are, rather than conform to what the industry is dictating as a prevailing trend. Maybe it's better to continue to buy beats online for low price and sell records independently in your region. Be the hometown hero. Just a thought.

Congrats to Rihanna at the Grammys

Rihanna and Kanye West picked up two Grammy Awards for the All of The Lights , Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, let's give them a big congratulations Rihanna Navy!

PHOTO:Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys Take a Nice Pic Before The Grammys!

Aww, gotta love these two!! Swizzy shared this pic via Instagram posing with wifey Alicia Keys before last night’s Grammy Awards. #Swag.

GRAMMYS UPDATE: Chris Brown wins R&B album

Chris Brown’s “F.A.M.E.” won for R&B album at the 54th Grammy Awards on Sunday, capping off a rocky comeback year for one of pop/R&B’s most talked-about bad boys.
Brown’s personal narrative following his 2009 felony assault on ex-girlfriend Rihanna has been a mixed bag, at best. He spent much of 2010 seeking redemption and the greater part of last year making numerous missteps in the media, including Twitter rants, garnering criticism from GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; a violent meltdown backstage at “Good Morning America”; and the leak of a nude photo.

His fourth album, 2011’s “F.A.M.E.” -- an acronym for both “Fans Are My Everything” and “Forgiving All My Enemies” –- helped bolster his comeback after the critical disappointment of 2009’s “Graffiti,” his first release following the assault.
The disc was his first to debut at No. 1, and with Grammy-nominated singles “Deuces” and “Look at Me Now” (the latter up for two rap nods this year) and a slate of sexually explicit grooves and supercharged backbeats, "F.A.M.E." returned Brown to radio prominence.
Brown competed against another pair of comeback kings, El DeBarge and R. Kelly, with soulful songstresses Ledisi and Kelly Price also in the field. Last year the award went to John Legend and the Roots’ collaborative album of brawny R&B/soul classics, “Wake Up!”
Despite nominations in five of the last six years, Brown hadn’t taken home a trophy until tonight.
After the Recording Academy eliminated 31 award categories, much of the grousing came from R&B purists. R&B categories were cut from eight to four by the new rules and there were complaints that there was now little or no distinction between contemporary and traditional R&B.

GRAMMY UPDATE: Jay Z + Kanye West Win 2012 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance

            
Jay-Z and Kanye West nabbed the 2012 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for ‘Otis’ from their blazing hot ‘Watch the Throne’ collaborative album, which dropped in the summer. Sadly, neither the Hova or Yeezy were in attendance to collect their statues at the ceremony, so presenters Fergie and Marc Anthony graciously accepted on their behalf.

So that was a bit of anti-climactic speech, since both rappers always make a splash and are consummate entertainers, even at awards shows; Fergie and Anthony didn’t have much to say since, well, it’s not their song or their award!
However, Fergie’s red lace peek-a-boo outfit did not go unnoticed. The singer’s black bra was fully visible in her see-through attire. That provided a little excitement to make up for the fact that Jay and ‘Ye weren’t there. Her choice of clothes will certainly be talked about tomorrow in fashion columns and roundups, that’s for sure.
Congrats to Blue Ivy‘s father and Kanye West on their big win at the 2012 Grammy Awards.