I'm so hesitant to watch any Awards shows on TV nowadays. Especially after the Kanye/ Taylor Swift incident. The music industry is pretty saturated with so many artists and it seems record labels throw stuff up against the wall to see what's gonna stick any more. And Rap/ Hip Hop, Fogit about it. I used to appreciate Rap in the early days as an expression by an artist, not that I particularly liked it, but appreciated the expression and was curious about it.
I fancy myself a pretty good judge of talent, kind of have a knack for knowing what's going to be big. Not that I'm an expert by any means, it's kindo of intuitive. Earlier in 2009 I picked Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga as the lead horses. This was born out last night on the Grammys. I'm glad I watched and was impressed that melodic music seems to be back in the forefront, unless you watch the MTV Music Awards. Plenty of crass and un class still to be found there, but I suppose someone is downloading or buying the crap.
About Lady Gaga. I'm a huge fan. What first caught me was the visuals from her videos. Kind of sophisticated Devo esque. I don't know how much artistic input she has in them, but they are avant gaurde, eye candy. Secondly, her versus are club like but in all of her songs, she breaks into catchy melodic choruses. Thirdly, she is very talented, great voice, phrasing.
I had an arguement with my brother and cousins at xmas about her. I contend that she is a cross between Madonna, Cher and Grace Jones. And that she has the ability, and probably will transform herself from her current shtick and have great longevitiy. In the meantime, we get interesting and entertaining art. Her duet with Elton John was impressive.
Since her and Sir Elton did the opening act at the Grammys, I thought " who's going to top that...." well Pink did. I'm not a big fan of her punkyness, but she sang a song the demonstrated her vocal skills, low key but while doing acrobatics. I was in awe.
I pegged Lady Antebellum earlier last year for their great harmonies, diversions in the melody and bridges. Incredible vocals. Hillary Scot is actually country star Linda Davis' daughter. It doesn't hurt to have those connections, but they hold their own.
Then finally, Taylor Swift. Her songs are bubble gum for the most part, but when she crossed over from Country I realized her vast appeal. She writes her own songs, can you imagine the money this young woman is going to be worth? I have to believe at some point she will run out of lyrics. How many fairy tale princess, prince, high school, when you're 15 stuff can you come up with. But, she's been doing duets with a number of groups and people. I hope she can sustain.
All in all a good show last night. Lots of big productions, Beyonce, phenomenal vocals.
Back to Hip Hop. Whats up with Jayzee? What does he do? I saw him in a video with Alicia Keys, the New York song. I don't think he says much, kind of grunts here and there.... Guess he'll ride B's coatails. I dont know. Emmenem and the two guys he was rapping with... I either had technical difficutlies with the TV sound system or they bleeped out a bunch of lyrics.... and those guys need to buy some new belts for their pants because they're underwear was showing..
Pants on the ground, pants on the ground... lookin like a fool with your pants on the ground...
