Anyways, the biggest event of the year is coming! The Grammys! I always anticipate this ceremony every year! And I'd love to take advantage of having this blog of mine to express my opinion on who should win at the different categories.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
The Foo Fighters - Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace
Vince Gill - These Days
Herbie Hancok - River: The Joni Letters
Kanye West - Graduation
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
Who Should Win: Amy Winehouse's Back to Black
The first time I heard Rehab, I know that there was really something new and provocative on the way Amy expresses her artistry. Not until I was able to download her album was I able to assure that Amy Winehouse is probably the greatest artist since Lauryn Hill, perhaps even since Janis Joplin. Her album was straight right contemporary jazz and blues and really caters to fans of different generations. "You Know I'm No Good", "Just Friends", and "Tears Dry On Their Own" are some of the strongest tracks on the album. It would be complete travesty if she would not win. Now, if we she can really pull herself together. . .
RECORD OF THE YEAR NOMINESS
Beyonce - "Irreplaceable"
The Foo Fighters - "The Pretender"
Rihanna & Jay-Z - "Umbrella"
Justin Timberlake - "What Goes Around... Comes Around"
Amy Winehouse - "Rehab"
Who Should Win: Rihanna's Umbrella
As much as how I became a Rihanna-hater because of her arrogance, I nor anybody for that matter can't deny that "Umbrella" was a sure fire winner for this category. It was the most popular song for the past 12 months in many different countries and definitely the one song that housed Rihanna to Fergie, Gwen and Beyonce's hitmakers neigborhood. But I do think that with the likes of Beyonce and and Justin being on this category, it's still anyone's game. . .
SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Before He Cheats" (Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins)
"Hey There Delilah" (Tom Higgenson)
"Like A Star" (Corinne Bailey Rae)
"Rehab" (Amy Winehouse)
"Umbrella" (Shawn Carter, Kuk Harrell, Terius 'Dream' Nash & Christopher Stewart)
Who Should Win: Umbrella ella ella eh!
As I've said before, "Umbrella" was truly a hit but I think it's also one great breakthrough in song writing. This song was interpreted by many artists like Mandy Moore but still sounded great even if it was taken as a ballad. But keep your fingers cross, coz "Before He Cheats" is one hell grand slam of a country song and could make Rihanna a run for her money. .
BEST NEW ARTIST NOMINEES
Feist
Ledisi
Paramore
Taylor Swift
Amy Winehouse
Who Should Win: Amy Winehouse
Do I really need to say over and over again that Amy is the greatest artist in the past decade? And besides that, it would be a shame if her royalty will wither in the face of artists like Feist and Ledisi. . .
BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE NOMINEES
Christina Aguilera - "Candyman"
Feist - "1234"
Fergie - "Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)"
Nelly Furtado - "Say It Right"
Amy Winehouse - "Rehab"
Who Should Win: Christina's Candyman
And it's not because I'm her fan, but Xtina was really successful in mimicking the Andrews Sister and bringing the old school jazz vibe in this song. Who could have thought that old jazz and blues that was that of the "Candyman" could be a really relatable and fun? You have to account that to Christina's ever flexible vocals. Besides, who will win beside her? Nelly Furtado is a great singer but that didn't show in "Say It Right". And yeah, we all know that Fergie can't sing. And as much as how I looooooooved Amy, I don't think that Rehab can compete with Candyman. . .
BEST POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP NOMINEES
Bon Jovi - "(You Want To) Make A Memory"
Daughtry - "Home"
Maroon 5 - "Makes Me Wonder"
Plain White T's - "Hey There Delilah"
U2 - "Window In The Skies
Who Should Win: Maroon 5's Makes Me Wonder
This should have been nominated as the record of the year! I haven't heard any song like this. Maroon 5 really continues to define contemporary music especially with this song. But this is one tough category. "Home" really showed Daughtry's vocals and Plain White T's song is quite popular. But I'll bet my ass on Adam Levine's vocals, if you know what I mean. . . hehehe. . .
BEST RnB VOCAL BY A FEMALE
Mary J. Blige - "Just Fine"
Fantasia - "When I See You"
Alicia Keys - "No One"
Chrisette Michele - "If I Had My Way"
Jill Scott - "Hate On Me"
Who Should Win: Alicia's "No One"
Alicia Keys got only two nominations!! Damn those wax-eared Grammy voters!! She was the bomb!! And her album was great but it wasn't even nominated as the best RnB album!! Shame on them!! Alicia Keys is one of the greatest artist to walk on the earth and this?! Ok I'm done. Alicia was reallysuccessfull in harnessing Jamaican influence in this record. And her vocals was right on and soothing. Quite different from her vocal performance in her previous songs. But I'd still be glad if Mary will win. "Just Fine" makes me want to groove that dancefloor. . .
BEST RAP/SONG COLLABORATION
Akon & Snoop Dogg - "I Wanna Love You"
Chris Brown & T-Pain - "Kiss Kiss"
Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott & Lil' Kim - "Let It Go"
Rihanna & Jay-Z - "Umbrella"
Kanye West & T-Pain - "Good Life"
Who Should Win: Keyshia Cole's Let it Go
Against the odds that is Rihanna's Umbrella, I still believe that with the word "collaboration" in mind, I think Keyshia's song has it going. Missy and Lil' Kim's rap sounded beautifully with Keyshia's smooth and powerful vocals. Which reminded me, where is "Last Night"?
Tune in on February 8 for the results!!
Jerome
XOXOXO
