Sentimental favourite Charles wins the most Grammys
Last night the 47th Annual Grammy Awards saw sentimental favourite Ray Charles taking top honors winning in every category he was nominated in (eight in all). Charles died last June and his last album 'Genius Loves Company' a album of duet that featured Norah Jones among others proved to be the biggest of his career.
Following up the rear was my girl Alicia Keys who took home 4 statuettes including R&B Album of the Year and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with vocals (featuring Usher). And speaking of Usher, he took home 3 awards including Best R&B Comtemporary Album.
On the rap side of things Kanye West who was this years recipient for the most grammy nods with 10 eventually walked away with three including Best Rap Song, The Black Eyed Peas won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their mega-smash hit 'Let's Get it Started' and Jay Z won for Best Rap solo performance.
Pop was represented too with first time wins for several of those artists that's been in the industry for several decades, nominated but never won....until now. 60s 'Beach Boy' Brian Wilson, Steve Earle and Rod Stewart all won for their respective album releases last year while modern day boppers Green Day, John Mayer and Maroon 5 joined the honor roll.
I have to say that this years award show was a bit of a surprise, as it was actually good. The perfromances were on point especially Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx's rendition of Ray Charles 'Georgia on My Mind', Joss Stone and Melissa Ethridge tribute to Janis Joplin's with 'Piece of My Heart' and host of the awards Queen Latifah doing the standard 'Baby Get Lost' from her new album 'The Dana Owens Story' (told you she can SING).
source: grammy.com
__________________________________________________________________Singer Christina Aguilera to tie the knot
Well it seems that the marriage bug is catching in the music arena. Last Year we saw Britney Spears tie the knot with her dancer Kevin Ferdinline, Brandy get engaged to her beau Phoenix Suns basketball star Quinton Richardson and now pop's other diva' Christina Aguilera has followed suit.
The singer is engaged to her longtime boyfriend music executive Jordan Bratman, reports People magazine.Bratman proposed to the 24-year-old three-time Grammy award winner last Friday while the couple was on vacation, the magazine said on its Web site.
The New York born and bred Aguilera has been dating Bratman for more than two years now and rumour broke out last year that the couple was engaged but was shortlived as they both then delay the reports. This time around she has not denied but rather excepted.
"Christina was very surprised," People quoted a close friend of Aguilera's as saying. "She's ecstatic."
- Source: CNN.com
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Ultra Music Fest comes to Bayfront next month
For those of us who are die hard dance music fans (myself included), the Ultra Music Festival taking place at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami is the place to be if you want to work up a good sweat next month.
The festival is a day long event that features some of the best dance music from all continents for you to both dance and listen to. It features some of the biggest names in the dance music community both DJ and performer-wise. The likes of CARL COX, ERICK MORILLO, ARMIN VAN BUUREN, FERRY CORSTEN, JUNKIE XL live, TIMO MAAS, DARREN EMERSON, STEVE LAWLER, VHS or BETA live, INFECTED MUSHROOM, DJ ICEY and JOSH WINK are scheduled to appear or perform and it doesn't stop there either.
There will be various different stages showcasing industry and artist elites offering their insights and knowledge to the massive. There's Ultra Soundstage, Carl Cox and friends global arena, Subliminal sessions, drum and bass arena, future sound of breaks stage, the Party 93.1 stage, and bayfront arena hosted by new times.
This event is definitely one to look out for and show your face in the place, it's a one day event taking place March 26th so see you there.
- Source: A3tv.tv
H.E.R.B.I.E awards honors the history of R&B__________________________________________________________________
With the grammys in tow, the next major event to show up for is the H.E.R.B.I.E awards. The H.E.R.B.I.E (Honoring the Evolution of Rhythm & Blues In Entertainment) is a dance party/concert & awards Event that takes place today (Valentines Day). Dance and enjoy the show with music from the Hip-Hop and R&B Entertainers of today as well as the great pioneers of Rhythm and Blues
The platform is a fundraiser for The Rhythm & Blues Foundation. H.E.R.B.I.E will honor the likes of The Chi-Lites, Benjamin Wright, Paul Jackson Jr., Also recognized for their efforts and contributions is Fox Television, Universal Pictures, Herb Kent, Clarence Avant, Tom Burrell of Burrell Advertising, Coca Cola, The Gap, Coolio, Chevrolet, and Jive Records.
The Rhythm and Blues Foundation's mission "to encourage wider recognition of artists; to preserve the historical and cultural importance of the rhythm and blues music of the 40s,
50s, 60s and 70s, by increasing appreciation for the art form; and to develop new audiences." The funds help support various programs and services, which provide financial assistance and support to the dedicated artists who contributed to the performance of America's soul music.With performances by: Little Milton, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Betty Wright, The Intruders, Cuba Gooding Sr. of the Main Ingredients, Raphael Saadiq, The Chi-Lites, Twista, Shirley Jones of The Jones Girls, Coolio, Jake Simpson, United We Funk All Star Band (comprised of The Barkays, Confunkshun, Midnight Star, The Dazz Band, and Lenny Williams). There will be a special appearance by Grammy winner Kanye West. In attendance also will be Love Unlimited, The Emotions and The Brothers Johnson. Presenters and host include: Clifton Powell, Lewis Dix, Cindy Birdsong and other Grammy winners and nominees.
This all takes place at the Century Club, 10131 Constellation Blvd, Century City, Los Angeles 90067 today Valentines Day, Monday February 14, 2005. 6:00 p.m. For ticket information: www.herbieawards.com or 818-779-0001.
- Source: herbieawards.com