Grammys 2014 - Hits and Misses

The Grammy Awards last night was such a huge success, scoring 28.5 million viewers - their largest audience in 21 years. To be honest, that's not one of the best Grammy shows I've ever seen, but there're still quite few memorable moments.

Let's start with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. They're a big winner of the night (even though Kendrick Lamar clearly deserves more than them in some categories). With some help from Mary Lambert, Queen Latifah and Queen of Pop Madonna, they gave us such a wonderful and touching performance of the #1 hits "Same Love"/"Open Your Heart". The mass wedding of 34 couples - gay and straight, of all races - is the clearly the best moment of the night, showing all the bigots out there that all love are the same. I seriously cried while watching it.
Another off-the-scene fun: Katy Perry got the bouquet from one of the couples! She will become Mrs. Mayer soon I hope!

Source: Katy Perry Instagram

Came in the second place is the "Get Lucky" performance from Daft Punk - the biggest winner of the night - featuring Pharrell Williams (another big winner) and the legendary Stevie Wonder. The song is dope, and the crowd totally went crazy and dancing throughout the whole performance.

Imagine Dragons also blew up the stage with the biggest snub this year Kendrick Lamar in "Radioactive". Everyone was on fire and singing along. Right after the performance, a new studio version of the song featuring Kendrick Lamar was released on iTunes.

Remember the time when P!nk perform "Glitter in the Air" while literally hanging in the air at the Grammys? This year she did it again, and even better. The fierce singer opened up with the top ten hit "Try" with serious choreography on air. And after that, she still had enough energy to deliver the flawless vocal performance of the #1 hit "Just Give Me A Reason" with Nate Ruess. Once again, with no doubt, P!nk proved that she's the best singer and entertainer at the moment!

If you're The Beatles' fan, you will be totally knocked up by the "Queenie Eye" performance of Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr! Even Yoko Ono was dancing to it. I just wish John Lennon and George Harrison could've been there.

And last but not least, it's the amazing "Dark Horse" performance from Katy Perry and Juicy J. While obviously live singing is her weakness, her incredible stage presence usually saved the day. This time, Katy transformed into a dark witch, with brooms and dark horse. At the end, she burned up the stage - just like witches being burnt in the past. Just wonderful!

Of course, there're still some bad moments at the show. First of all, it's Katy Perry going home empty-handed for a countless time being nominated. Better luck next year! Or it's a horrible mash up of Metallica with a random Chinese pianist. Don't forget the boring and forgettable opening performance of Beyoncé and Jay Z. And of course we have to count the red carpet fashion. There was absolutely no amazing, breath-taking dresses in the red carpet this year. We seriously need the fashion icons like Rihanna and J.Lo, and even Lady Gaga, back next year.

Some other funny moments go to Katy Perry, Lorde, Pharrell Williams and Taylor Swift.
Bringing home two Grammy awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, Lorde also gave a funny performance of her Grammy-winning hit "Royals". That performance is compared to an exorcism, bringing tons of new memes on social media.

Source: tumblr

Source: tumblr

Katy Perry and Taylor Swift became the latest troll victims - when the presenters intentionally pronounced the winner "ROOARRRoyals" (Katy's nominated with the song "Roar") and "RRRRandom Access Memories" (Taylor's nominated with the album Red). The reactions of Swift (plus the men around her) and Perry quickly became new internet phenomenons.

Source: tumblr

And while none of the ladies made it with fashion, Pharrell Williams' weird hat stole the spotlight. To be quite honest, no one could understand how a stylist man like him could choose such an ugly hat for a big award show like this. But no matter what, 4 Grammy awards he brought home last night is all that matters.

Source: Twitter

2014 Grammy's Winners 

Album of the Year: ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk
Record of the Year: ‘Get Lucky’ by Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
Song of the Year: ‘Royals’ by Lorde
Best New Artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Best Pop Solo Performance: ‘Royals’ by Lorde
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: ‘Get Lucky’ by Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams
Best Pop Instrumental Album: ‘Steppin’ Out’ by Herb Alpert
Best Pop Vocal Album: ‘Unorthodox Jukebox’ by Bruno Mars
Best Dance Recording: ‘Clarity’ by Zedd featuring Foxes
Best Dance/Electronica Album: ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: ‘To Be Loved’ by Michael Bublé
Best Rock Performance: ‘Radioactive’ by Imagine Dragons
Best Metal Performance: ‘God Is Dead?’ by Black Sabbath
Best Rock Song: ‘Cut Me Some Slack’ by Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear
Best Rock Album: ‘Celebration Day’ by Led Zeppelin
Best Alternative Music Album: ‘Modern Vampires of the City’ by Vampire Weekend
Best R&B Performance: ‘Something” by Snarky Puppy with Lalah Hathaway
Best Traditional R&B Performance: ‘Please Come Home’ by Gary Clark, Jr.
Best R&B Song: ‘Pusher Love Girl’ by Justin Timberlake
Best Urban Contemporary Album: ‘Unapologetic’ by Rihanna
Best R&B Album: ‘Girl On Fire’ by Alicia Keys
Best Rap Performance: ‘Thrift Shop’ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: ‘Holy Grail’ by JAY Z featuring Justin Timberlake
Best Rap Song: ‘Thrift Shop’ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Best Rap Album: ‘The Heist’ by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Best Country Solo Performance: ‘Wagon Wheel’ by Darius Rucker
Best Country Duo/Group Performance: ‘From This Valley’ by The Civil Wars
Best Country Song: ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ by Kacey Musgraves
Best Country Album: ‘Same Trailer Different Park’ by Kacey Musgraves
Best New Age Album: ‘Love’s River’ by Laura Sullivan
Best Improvised Jazz Solo: ‘Orbits’ by Wayne Shorter
Best Jazz Album: ‘Liquid Spirit’ by Gregory Porter
Best Jazz Instrumental Album: ‘Money Jungle: Provocative In Blue’ by Terri Lyne Carrington
Best Jazz Ensemble Album: ‘Night In Calisia’ by Randy Brecker, Włodek Pawlik Trio & Kalisz Philharmonic
Best Latin Jazz Album: ‘Song for Maura’ by Paquito D’Rivera and Trio Corrente
Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance: ‘Break Every Chain’ (Live) by Tasha Cobbs
Best Gospel Song: ‘If He Did It Before… Same God’ (Live) by Tye Tribbett
Best Contemporary Christian Music Song: ‘Overcome’ by Mandisa
Best Gospel Album: ‘Greater Than (Live)’ by Tye Tribbett
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: ‘Overcome’ by Mandisa
Best Latin Pop Album: ‘Vida’ by Draco Rosa
Best Latin Rock Urban or Alternative Album: ‘Treinta Días’ by La Santa Cecilia
Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano): ‘A Mi Manera’ by Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
Best Tropical Latin Album: ‘Pacific Mambo Orchestra’ by Pacific Mambo Orchestra
Best American Roots Song: ‘Love Has Come For You’ by Steve Martin & Edie Brickell
Best Americana Album: ‘Old Yellow Moon’ by Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell
Best Bluegrass Album: ‘The Streets 0f Baltimore’ by Del McCoury Band
Best Blues Album: ‘Get Up!’ by Ben Harper With Charlie Musselwhite
Best Folk Album: ‘My Favorite Picture of You’ by Guy Clark
Best Regional Roots Music Album: ‘Dockside Sessions’ by Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
Best Reggae Album: ‘Ziggy Marley In Concert’ by Ziggy Marley
Best World Music Album: ‘Savor Flamenco’ by Gipsy Kings / ‘Live: Singing for Peace Around the World’ by Ladysmith Black Mambazo (tie)
Best Children’s Album: ‘Throw a Penny In the Wishing Well’ by Jennifer Gasoi
Best Spoken Word Album: ‘America Again: Re-becoming The Greatness We Never Weren’t’ by Stephen Colbert
Best Comedy Album: ‘Calm Down Gurrl’ by Kathy Griffin
Best Musical Theater Album: ‘Kinky Boots’
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: ‘Sound City: Real to Reel’ by Dave Grohl & Various Artists
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: ‘Skyfall’
Best Song Written for Visual Media: ‘Skyfall’ by ADELE
Best Instrumental Composition: ‘Pensamientos For Solo Alto Saxophone And Chamber Orchestra’ by The Clare Fischer Orchestra
Best Instrumental Arrangement: ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): ‘Swing Low’ by Bobby McFerrin & Esperanza Spalding
Best Recording Package: ‘Long Night Moon’ by Reckless Kelly
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: Wings Over America (Deluxe Edition) by Paul McCartney and Wings
Best Album Notes: ‘Afro Blue Impressions’ (Remastered & Expanded) by John Coltrane
Best Historical Album: ‘Charlie Is My Darling Ireland 1965′ by The Rolling Stones / ‘The Complete Sussex And Columbia Albums’ by Bill Withers (tie)
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: ‘Random Access Memories’ by Daft Punk
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Pharrell Williams
Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: ‘Summertime Sadness’ (Cedric Gervais Remix) by Lana Del Rey
Best Surround Sound Album: ‘Live Kisses’ by Paul McCartney
Best Engineered Album, Classical: ‘Winter Morning Walks’ by Dawn Upshaw, Maria Schneider, Australian Chamber Orchestra & Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
Producer of the Year, Classical: David Frost
Best Orchestral Performance: ’Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4′
Best Opera Recording: ‘Adès: The Tempest’
Best Choral Performance: ‘Pärt: Adam’s Lament’
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: ‘Roomful of Teeth’ by Brad Wells & Roomful of Teeth
Best Classical Instrumental Solo: ‘Corigliano: Conjurer – Concerto for Percussionist & String Orchestra’ by Evelyn Glennie & David Alan Miller
Best Classical Vocal Solo: ‘Winter Morning Walks’ by Dawn Upshaw
Best Classical Compendium: ‘Hindemith: Violinkonzert; Symphonic Metamorphosis; Konzertmusik’ by Christoph Eschenbach
Best Classical Contemporary Composition: ‘Winter Morning Walks’ by Maria Schneider
Best Music Video: ‘Suit & Tie’ by Justin Timberlake & JAY Z
Best Music Film: ‘Live Kisses’ by Paul McCartney
MusicCares Person of the Year: Carole King
Lifetime Achievement Award: The Beatles, Clifton Chenier, The Isley Brothers, Kraftwerk, Kris Kristofferson, Armando Manzanero, Maud Powell
Trustees Awards: Rick Hall, Jim Marshall, Ennio Morricone

Is Adele Gonna Set Fire to the Rain Again?

The Daydreamers (Adele's fans) are on fire this week. Amazing news has been coming non-stop for anyone who loves the amazing 9-time Grammys, Oscar and Golden Globe winner!

First of all, let's talk about all the exciting big-name collaborators she's gonna have in this album. She has continued to work with Ryan Tedder - who had worked with her in the diamond-selling album 21. She has also gone out and worked with the amazing Diane Warren ("Un-Break My Heart", "How Do I Live", "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing"...) and the legendary Phil Collins. As if it's not enough, the new diva will also have a writing session with the Queen of Pop Madonna! Rumour has it that Maddie and Adele are gonna write several songs for each other's up-coming album! There's also a possibility that she's gonna work with Paul Epworth - she mentioned at the Grammy last year that she wanted to work with him.

Secondly, she recently registered a new song on ASCAP! The song is named "Devil on My Shoulder", written by Adele herself and Greg Wells!

Moreover, she's planning to go on tour next year! There've been discussions about a 2015 tour in the UK and North America at least, and possibly a world tour! Finger-crossed that Adele will go to Toronto soon.

And last but not least, a music insider has told us fans about her new album: "Her voice is in great shape and she is looking forward for the tour. She is also working on a new CD, that will shock some people. It is very different but with a voice like that, she can do anything."

Are you excited for Adele's new album (named 25 maybe)? I know you are. After all, who doesn't love this super-talented, funny and so down-to-Earth British woman? Let's wait and see how she's gonna set fire to the rain again!

See Phil Collins talking about Adele at 8:06:

JoJo - Sleeping Beauty Finally Breaks Off The Blackground Curse

Breaking news came today: JoJo is finally free from her contact with Blackground Records, and she also inked a new deal with Atlantic Records!

JoJo's exhaustive multi-year battle with Blackground Records - the battle that almost no music fan doesn't know about - finally came to an end. Due to bad management and many wrong business decisions, Blackground Records went almost-bankrupt after the release of JoJo's hit album 'The High Road'. However, because it was still barely alive on papers thanks to money coming from selling Aaliyah and JoJo's old materials, she still couldn't break off her contact. Even without any money to release her new album, Blackground still kept holding her back, didn't allow her to sign with any other label or release any new album for seven years until now. She was in a pretty fucked up situation which she didn't "legally own her voice."

After many times trying to sue her bankrupt former label without success, this time, JoJo claimed that the Blackground failed to release her third album despite delivery and acceptance of recordings and that the label neglected to pay producers and other vendors she collaborated with. But the most important thing is that her contact was signed in 2003 when she was only 12, which means she could not be bound to a contact after a period of 7 years.

JoJo's loyal fans, as well as all other music fans who have been watching and supporting her are now celebrating. The campaign #FreeJoJo which was launched by her fans last summer on social media such as tumblr and Twitter caught a lot of attentions from mainstream media. Meanwhile, along with fighting for freedom, JoJo did sate fans by independently releasing two mixtapes - 'Can't Take That Away from Me' and 'Agápē', as well as a bunch of collaborations and leaked songs. Both the mixtapes and unreleased songs were highly critically-acclaimed, showing her transformation from a teen singer to a sexy, grown pop star.

Free at last, and with a new contact with Atlantic Records which was signed in December last year, 2014 is a promising year for JoJo. Let's wait and see how the "Too Little Too Late" singer come back and claim her rightful position in the music scene.

Watch her latest music videos "In the Dark" and "André" here

Britney Spears - The Queen Is Back!

Oh my Godney! (BritneyArmy's favorite exclamation FYI). After all these years, the iconic legendary Miss Britney Spears finally won her very first People's Choice Award!

Despite being late for an hour (which is rumored to be her attempt to avoid Justin Timberlake), Britney still made it to the stage and received her first People's Choice Award for Favorite Pop Artist.

This is her 9th nominations at People's Choice Awards. Previously, she was nominated in 2001 for Favorite Female Musical Performer, in 2005 for Favorite Combined Forces (sharing with the Queen of Pop Madonna), in 2010 for Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Pop Artist, in 2012 for Favorite Album of the Year with her both critically and commercially success 'Femme Fatale' and in 2013 for Favorite Celebrity Judge with her work in the second season of The X Factor US. This year, among with the Favorite Pop Artist nomination, she was also nominated for Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Fan Following (BritneyArmy). She lost both nominations to Demi Lovato and her fans - the Lovatics.

The "Work Bitch" singer stole all the spotlights with her nude-colored Mikael D number with sparkling silver floral embellishment, accessorizing with a pair of matching Giuseppe Zanotti heels.

It has been only a few days in the new year, but Britney has brought home a new major award. With more of her highly-acclaimed Las Vegas residency shows, and two new singles - "Til It's Gone" and "Alien" - from her new album 'Britney Jean' on the way, we can totally expect more from the Princess of Pop!

PS: Today, 12 Jan, is the 15th year anniversary of her legendary album ...Baby One More Time.