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    Thotline Bling: black girl supremacyMichael Arceneaux
    2/10/17 12:49pm

    Is there room in the conversation for artists who aren’t even acknowledged with a nomination at all? Perhaps because they don’t have a large machine behind them?

    In recent years, I think J. Sullivan, Emily Sande and Emily King, just to name a few, have put out some great records that got no Grammy attention at all. Or only an obligatory nod like with “Let it Burn.” (And I think that nom was only b/c of Babyface’s co-writing credit)

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    DariasfriendJodieMichael Arceneaux
    2/10/17 10:31am

    “Still, the problem with this awards show and every one like it that purports to be a meritocracy is that it doesn’t really lend itself to such a credo. They ought to be called out every single year until they do.”

    One of the main reasons as to why I no longer watch award shows.

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      BrwnskngurlDariasfriendJodie
      2/10/17 10:51am

      Agreed, Roy.

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    BrwnskngurlMichael Arceneaux
    2/10/17 10:55am

    Michael, I feel you on this, but I prefer the quote from Nicki Minaj, I think, when she said (paraphrasing, of course) that the Grammy’s or AMA’s, or even MTV Awards, promo the black talent to get the asses in the seats and on the couches, but then ignore them when it comes to handing out the hardware. I am not a fan of hip-hop, per se, when it comes to rappers who sample and cannot sing real notes, or even read sheet music. I implore black artists to be more like Prince and learn to read music, play an instrument (or 19!) and write your own stuff. But for artists like Bey, Mary J. Blige, Mariah, John Legend, Kendrick, they should be recognized because I believe them to be real musicians.

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      andydeltacoBrwnskngurl
      2/10/17 2:03pm

      Your definition of a “real musician” is myopic, a little asinine, and quite contradictory.

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      BlurredWordsBrwnskngurl
      2/10/17 3:05pm

      It seems as if you do not understand the difference between  instrumentalists and musicians, and it seems unfair to judge an artists talent solely on their ability to play an instrument and read sheet music.

      For starters, if you are an artist constantly performing and creating NEW music, then learning how to read sheet music is inconsequential. Music is written for the sole purpose of providing a visual representation of the sound for  OTHER musicians as a blueprint to go by when performing a piece. If I write a piece solely by ear, I do not need to know how to write it down. I come from a musical background (both classical piano and jazz). Trust me, it’s way more impressive to see the guy who can sit in a set and play along without needing sheet music then to play with the guy who is dependent on the written page.

      Secondly, you should educate yourself on the history of hip hop. Hip hop was created almost as a direct consequence of urban decay and the defunding of art programs in primarily black and Latino neighborhoods. They turned to turntables, mixing boards, drum machines because they lacked access, and money, for private piano lessons, classical instruments, etc. But, what they showed was that anything can be musical and everything is an instrument. Be it beatboxing, ripping beats off a Super Nintendo, and/or sampling old soul records like J Dilla.

      We live in a society where people will be so quick to discredit our brilliance but profit off of it (see the success of Iggy Azalea, while there are still people to this day that don’t consider hip hop real music). It’s time we take back our own worth and recognize our greatness in all its forms.

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    Carlitos the FünferMichael Arceneaux
    2/10/17 2:46pm

    In February, Portnow was asked to address talk of inclusion in the wake of the #OscarsSoWhite campaign. “The music community really is much more inclusive because of the nature of the collaborations,” Portnow argued.

    Uh, yeah ok... Let’s just completely gloss over the fact that appropriation of Black music has run rampant in the recording industry since the days of Elvis Presley.

    The Recording Academy knows nothing about Black art. They proved that to me when Macklemore’s album about shopping beat out Kendrick’s GKMC for hip-hop album of the year.

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    BDTrooperMichael Arceneaux
    2/11/17 5:05am

    The Grammys are ridiculous and have been since the 70s. Their criteria are inconsistent, disqualifying Whitney Houston as a best new artist for singing backup on a couple of tracks for someone else, yet allowing Natalie Cole to win for best “new” song with one that was decades old. They are clueless, awarding Best New Artist to Starland Vocal Band over Boston, and A Taste of Honey over The Cars and Elvis Costello. Great foresight. And while Beyonce having 20 Grammys is great - she is awesome - it’s crazy that she has that many, and iconic rock acts - Led Zeppelin, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Bob Marley and Rush, the greatest rock trio in history - have a combined ZERO. That is insane, and that is where the outrage should be. Rock is THE American music in my book - it stands the test of time - it’s what you hear in arenas and stadiums at sporting events worldwide. Yet, it gets little play at the Grammys, and worse yet, the MTV awards. While Beyonce is a dynamic performer and one of a kind, nothing beats the power of an AC/DC, Springsteen, Van Halen or Foo Fighters. Long live rock and roll!

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