A week ago the Grammys shocked the world of music when Eminem lost out on Album of the Year and Justin Bieber on Best New Artist. Instead awarding Arcade of Fire for their album Suburbs and Esperanza Spalding as Best New Artist. I know. Right?

2011 Grammy Awards Red Carpet PHOTOS

Eminem, Rihanna, Dr. Dre, and Skylar Grey ROCK 2011 Grammys (Video)

Enter Steve Stoute. He’s a veteran marketing and music executive that was so pissed by the snubs he took out a full-page ad (major ca-ching) in the New York Times chastising the Grammy organization and the National Academy for Recording Arts and Sciences (NARA) for basically having their heads up their asses (my words not his, he’s much more eloquent).

Interestingly enough he points out that despite the snubs the two performed on the award show which also happened to set audience records attracting more than 26.7 million viewers. Only it’s highest since 2001. You can bet your butt it had everything to do with Eminem and Bieber performing.

An executive close to the telecast of The Grammys told EW exclusively that although Stoute makes valid points, the show operates independently of the voting process:

“The TV group is tasked to produce a Grammy-branded event for TV,” the executive said. “The voting procedure is done by the NARAS membership which has nothing to do with who produces the TV show.

Do you think Eminem and Justin Bieber got ripped off? I have to say I have Eminem’s latest CD Recovery and I am beyond impressed. I can’t stop listening to it. It really is his best work. And as for Justin Bieber, I know people love to hate him, and it’s usually those over 18, but you can not deny he has done exceptionally well all things considered and before the Grammys last weekend, very few people knew who Esperanza Spalding was. Not that she isn’t worthy, but isn’t Best New Artist supposed to be more of a household name?

What are your thoughts?

To view the entire ad that Mr. Stoute took out (I imagine at great cost to him), you can view it after the break. It’s quite long.

(more…)

This year’s 53rd Annual Grammy Award fashion on the red carpet left me thinking, “where do I begin?”  So let’s get the bad news out of the way first.

Lady Gaga.   She shocked me alright.  I was expecting some hair raising number when she was “hatched”.

This Is Lady GaGa’s Grammy Award Outfit PHOTOS

With the exception of the horns spurting from her forehead, the rest of her was subdued compared to what we’ve seen in the past.  (But then, I didn’t see her later on in the night.)  Nevertheless, you have to give the Lady credit as she continues to amaze us and gives new meaning to the idea of re-inventing oneself.

Jaw-dropping moment goes to Nicki Minaj. I don’t get it and quite frankly, I don’t want to.  But as long as she does, that’s all that matters.

And guys, please!  Adam Levine, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, while we don’t expect tuxes, do pay attention to your footwear.

Rihanna gets marks for the most talked-about dress on the red carpet turning heads as they tried to see if they could catch a glimpse of her lady parts.

Belle of the ball honours go to Selena Gomez who doesn’t need to be nominated for anything, as she already is an award in this J. Mendel gown.  A great sense of style at such a young age.  And speaking of youth, Kelly Osbourne is another breath of fresh air in a delightful girly lavender frock by Tadashi Shoji, which reminds us that spring is around the corner.  Thank you, Kelly!

All that glitters really does for Jennifer Lopez and Mya as they light up the red carpet in a parade of metallics and golds.

Let’s not forget some eye candy for the ladies, as dashing men Matthew Morrison and LL Cool J. are hitting all the right notes.

Song bird Jewel shows off her baby bump in demure canary yellow Pamela Roland.   Pregnancy really does make a woman glow.  Another great stylish Hollywood mommy-to-be.

Best dressed couple:  I declare a tie!  While Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Lopez looked ravishing, respective hubbies Keith Urban and Marc Anthony are their best accessories.

The most memorable moment of the night goes to Katy Perry. While perched on a swing singing “Not Like the Movies”, film footage of her wedding played in the background.  Not only was she beautiful in her live short frock, but even more so in her Elie Saab bridal gown.

Katy Perry Gets Personal – 2011 Grammy Awards Performance (Video)

I don’t know what it is about Grammy fashion.  You either like it or you don’t.  In any event, I’ve managed to come up with my picks for the evening in order of preference:  Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Jewel, Mya and Kristine Elezaj.

What are your picks?  See you at the Oscars!

Lots of pics after the break

(more…)

OMG. This had to be one of the best, if not THE best performance of the night. The 2011 Grammy Awards went down last night and Eminem teamed up with Rihanna (who rocked the stage, illness and all), Dr. Dre, and Skylar Grey.

Katy Perry Gets Personal – 2011 Grammy Awards Performance (Video)

This was the most powerful performance by far and honestly, it gave me chills.  L-O-V-E-D it!  Thank you.  I will take it as my Valentine’s Day gift!

Here, now it’s my gift to you, enjoy!

Source: Rap Up

Lady Gaga’s performance last night at the 2011 Grammy Awards was probably the most hyped.  And in my opinion, the biggest letdown.  She arrived in an alien egg, WTF?  Okay, so we expected absurd, but we also expected her to show up when she got on stage and she failed.  Her first live performance of Born This Way was so bland and so not what I expected, I was pretty bummed.  Plus, after seeing it, I really think it was actually a knockoff of Madonna’s Express Yourself.  WHY?!

53rd Annual Grammy Awards Winners Complete List

Anyhow, I’d like you to have a look and then share your thoughts:

See?!  Wasn’t that a total disappointment?

Katy Perry and her man, Russell Brand kept their wedding ceremony pretty much under wraps and we haven’t so much as seen a single wedding ceremony picture.  Well, that was the case until last night at the 2011 Grammy Awards.

53rd Annual Grammy Awards Winners Complete List

When Katy took the stage to put on her highly anticipated performance, we got a very pleasant surprise: their wedding.  Yes, Katy opened up that door and gave us an intimate look at their special day.  I loved it.

Have a look:

So do you think?  She did such a good job and sharing a bit of their wedding was a very cool touch.

Cee Lo Green was most definitely the most colorful performer of the 2011 Grammy Awards.  He teamed with Gwyneth Paltrow and The Muppets for his hit, F**k You aka Forget You.

Eminem, Rihanna, Dr. Dre, and Skylar Grey ROCK 2011 Grammys (Video)

Cee Lo wore a bright turkey looking outfit while Paltrow went all out in a black catsuit with crazy pink earrings.  She was so brave and so confident.  To go out there, dressed like that, not even be a real musical artist, and wear that outfit?  AND sound great?  I am so impressed!

Have a look and listen:

How great were they?  Honestly, I was really surprised at just how much I loved it!

Source: Rap Up