Perhaps the most talked about performance of last night's American Music Awards (AMAs) was Jennifer Lopez's bodysuit clad, Fiat endorsement of a performance. This was supposed to be a comeback celebration, but I doubt anyone wants J Lo to comeback from anything but selling out. The Fiat located on the middle of the stage, essentially was the other star of the performance.
Now the question at hand is, Is it okay for celebrities to blatantly endorse products? Yes, but it's not okay for it to be incorporated in such a way that people are insulted. The early days of television were primarily sponsored by companies like GE. But did they sit on top of a GE washer while actually in the show? Well, I'm not sure but people weren't upset.
I understand why celebrities, especially musicians want to endorse a product. The music business is no longer based on sales, but touring and if you don't tour regularly, well that money's got to come from somewhere. Unfortunately for J Lo, she's not only a musician but an actress and an entrepreneur so this makes her look even worse. She not only has a steady income, but she also has a well-paid gig on American Idol as the new Paula.
But then again she is going through a divorce. And about to enter the murky world of single motherhood, so maybe we should give her a break. Okay, maybe not but let's at least admire the fact she still wears flesh tones on live television.
Showing posts with label Awards Shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Awards Shows. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
That Old Time Rock n' Roll
I'm sure many of you have heard about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees being announced earlier this week. Still a huge honor, many groups are in and many groups are left out. The real question is whether or not your favorite artist and group will make it in.
There are many first timers with big appeal such as The Beastie Boys and Eric B. and Rakim. But many will argue that it's not rock n' roll. No, rock n' roll hasn't meant what people have thought it should mean in over thirty years.
Rock n' Roll is essentially popular music as a whole. Why? Listen to the airwaves. There are very few mainstream rock artists on the radio that have captured the public imagination. Most groups on rock radio include alterna-pop supergroup Coldplay, pop-rock radio faves OneRepublic, and rap-rock hybrid act Linkin Park. None of these groups are known for their windmills, stage antics, and outrageous parties.
Rock n' Roll has evolved. Nobody is in the dressing room with a gaggle of models anymore or a large keg. Concerts are now filled with actors and fellow musicians. There's no wild rock n' roll. Rock n' roll has evolved to reflect more of an attitude than a genre or a lifestyle.
That's why many people who always argue about acts like Donna Summer being nominated will never understand that if you want rock n' roll, you're going to have to pull out a time machine.
The rock n' roll hall of fame should just change the name so people stop getting in dumb arguments about who should be let in or left out. Now it's obvious some people do deserve their fair shake, but beyond that if you want your old time rock n' roll please go listen to Bob Seeger.
There are many first timers with big appeal such as The Beastie Boys and Eric B. and Rakim. But many will argue that it's not rock n' roll. No, rock n' roll hasn't meant what people have thought it should mean in over thirty years.
Rock n' Roll is essentially popular music as a whole. Why? Listen to the airwaves. There are very few mainstream rock artists on the radio that have captured the public imagination. Most groups on rock radio include alterna-pop supergroup Coldplay, pop-rock radio faves OneRepublic, and rap-rock hybrid act Linkin Park. None of these groups are known for their windmills, stage antics, and outrageous parties.
Rock n' Roll has evolved. Nobody is in the dressing room with a gaggle of models anymore or a large keg. Concerts are now filled with actors and fellow musicians. There's no wild rock n' roll. Rock n' roll has evolved to reflect more of an attitude than a genre or a lifestyle.
That's why many people who always argue about acts like Donna Summer being nominated will never understand that if you want rock n' roll, you're going to have to pull out a time machine.
The rock n' roll hall of fame should just change the name so people stop getting in dumb arguments about who should be let in or left out. Now it's obvious some people do deserve their fair shake, but beyond that if you want your old time rock n' roll please go listen to Bob Seeger.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wild About Wayne
Lil' Wayne just sold nearly a milli copies of his album Tha Carter IV this week. He closed the VMAs this year. And he's taking Jay-Z to task in a new diss. Now news today breaks that the BET Hip-Hop Awards has honored him with a whopping 18 nominations for his work. This ranges from Made You Look Award (honoring hip-hop style) to Best Lyricist. Interestingly enough, he faces Jay-Z in several of these categories. But the question at hand, is he rap's best or rap's most visible.
Now, I personally don't listen to a lot of Weezy's raps. Not because I don't like him, it's mainly because he reminds me of a real-life Gremlin with his speaking voice and multiple tats all over his body. Not only that but he slurs so much, I don't always understand what he's saying. But I can say, he does provide interesting guest raps in songs like "Look at Me Now" by Chris Brown and even labelmate Jay Sean's massive dance floor hit, "Down." However, there have been some missteps, like his rock flavored, Rebirth album released in the intermission between Tha Carter III and Tha Carter IV.
Lil' Wayne also has a shaky history with the law. He recently was freed from prison after a year behind bars and has had multiple arrests ranging from gun possession to possession of illegal substances. But is he really living the life of a rapper? Or just trying to maintain attention for attention's sake. It seems to me that he is striving for creative control, but sometimes it also seems like he's over-saturating the market. I mean how else do you explain feeling like someone wasn't in jail when you hear them or see them on television on a regular basis.
Maybe this is just a result of the current business model of music. People have to get in quick and fast, making an impression the best they know how in order to keep up the money and the fame. I think Weezy is especially wise to this because before 2008's groundbreaking Tha Carter III, he was mainly known as a southern stalwart on Cash Money Records. But he steadily built his profile, appearing as a guest on records like Destiny's Child's "Soldier" and releasing a steady stream of mixtapes. It obviously worked because he reaped the rewards and awards necessary to increase his stature.
Not only that, but Lil' Wayne introduced a new stable of rappers known as Young Money featuring rap's biggest breakout acts Drake and Nicki Minaj. But beyond that Lil' Wayne has realized that being in hip-hop these days takes stamina, depth, and focus. And you can't knock a guy for that.
Wayne's BET Noms
Lil Wayne Leads Nominations
Now, I personally don't listen to a lot of Weezy's raps. Not because I don't like him, it's mainly because he reminds me of a real-life Gremlin with his speaking voice and multiple tats all over his body. Not only that but he slurs so much, I don't always understand what he's saying. But I can say, he does provide interesting guest raps in songs like "Look at Me Now" by Chris Brown and even labelmate Jay Sean's massive dance floor hit, "Down." However, there have been some missteps, like his rock flavored, Rebirth album released in the intermission between Tha Carter III and Tha Carter IV.
Lil' Wayne also has a shaky history with the law. He recently was freed from prison after a year behind bars and has had multiple arrests ranging from gun possession to possession of illegal substances. But is he really living the life of a rapper? Or just trying to maintain attention for attention's sake. It seems to me that he is striving for creative control, but sometimes it also seems like he's over-saturating the market. I mean how else do you explain feeling like someone wasn't in jail when you hear them or see them on television on a regular basis.
Maybe this is just a result of the current business model of music. People have to get in quick and fast, making an impression the best they know how in order to keep up the money and the fame. I think Weezy is especially wise to this because before 2008's groundbreaking Tha Carter III, he was mainly known as a southern stalwart on Cash Money Records. But he steadily built his profile, appearing as a guest on records like Destiny's Child's "Soldier" and releasing a steady stream of mixtapes. It obviously worked because he reaped the rewards and awards necessary to increase his stature.
Not only that, but Lil' Wayne introduced a new stable of rappers known as Young Money featuring rap's biggest breakout acts Drake and Nicki Minaj. But beyond that Lil' Wayne has realized that being in hip-hop these days takes stamina, depth, and focus. And you can't knock a guy for that.
Wayne's BET Noms
Lil Wayne Leads Nominations
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