Teena Marie 1956-2010

I swear it seems like every Christmas Day, a major entertainer passes.  I remember like it was yesterday back in 2006 when James Brown passed on Christmas Day because I was listening to WPGC 95.5 in Washington D.C. via AOL Radio and they announced he passed on air while playing Christmas music.  Now, while listening to WPGC's sister station, WVEE "V-103", in Atlanta they announced during their Quiet Storm on Sunday night that Teena Marie had died in her sleep sometime between Christmas Day and the 26th.  It seems like we have reached a time when a number of the "old school" musicians are passing away at a rapid pace.  ***SIGH***

Her music was legendary with "Fire & Desire" with the late Rick James to "Lovergirl", "Ooo La La La" to my all time favorite "Square Biz".

Rest in peace, Ms. Marie.  I will miss you and your soul-funk music, the Queen of Ivory Soul.  You were also one of the few non-black soul artists that gain my respect and admiration for your tenacity music making.

Well, well, well, somebody made it big in urban music out of Pittsburgh

Well, if you know my blog track history then you would know I am an avid urban music fan.  Well, fellow blogger, Urban Radio Nation, did a story talking about how up-an-coming rapper, Wiz Khalifa, making it big in urban radio without a local station being in Pittsburgh.  The blog covers the history and closure of long time "heritage" urban station, WAMO, after nearly 5 decades of being on air in Pittsburgh.  Now it's a Catholic radio station airing religious services and programs.  The closest station to the urban format is Clear Channel-owned top 40, WKST, which plays it because of its charting status on the Billboard Top 100.  However, that station is just paying lip-service to the hip-hop song because its hits status, not because it is local per say.

However, Wiz Khalif has made it so big that he is getting spins with his hit, "Black and Yellow", which is based on the colors of the cities sports teams, like the Pittsburgh Pirates, major-league baseball team.  The single is now on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song chart.  It celebrates the "Steel City" and its pride for hometown sport teams.  I personally love the song and play it while in the gym working out because the up-tempo beat.

It's just a damn shame that a city as large as Pittsburgh and with a 27% black in the city (about 10% metropolitan area), it doesn't even have an urban radio station serving its community.  Another time and depressing day for listeners of urban radio that want to see stations represent their hometown artists, whom are good and give their city some spotlight, has to use alternative ways of obtaining success.

Why Erykah Badu? Why?

Why would you think it was a good idea for your black ass to film a music video without a permit in Dealey Plaza of the central business district of Dallas and then strip nude in front of a group of majority white bystanders?
Hello?  You are in TEXAS for all sense and purposes; although you are a native of the region, you KNOW this is the Bible Belt and one of the most socially conservative states in the Union. SMDH! 



Personally, I think it is a good song, but the video sucks ass.  Reeks of low-budgetness compared to the other videos I know of in her decade and half long music career, so WTF?  It's not really artistic when you are trying to make a psuedo-sociopolitical statement in your hometown when nobody including your fans doesn't even get it...

Now you have the simple-minded white suburbanites of the Metroplex blogging and talking about how "indecent",  "unartistic", and "needs to be rebuked" along with the Dallas City Council is looking to tighten its city ordinances on film production within the city limits.  On top of that now you have to deal with a disorderly conduct charge within Dallas Municipal Court.  I'm just saying if you going to make a point then at least make on that is solvent or coherent to the point that most of us would understand what you are trying to say rather than looking like a desperate attention whore in anticipation of your latest album.   Going to jail over something that is miscellaneous like this when you could be protesting much more important things like the economic and social issues then you are a lost soul truly.

Trey Songz outed as bisexual?

WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL, it's not like I didn't say he wasn't already.  I knew something was "off" about Mr. Neverson and my suspicions weren't that far fetched as some others assumed. 

According the urban gossip rag of a site, Bossip, Tremaine Aldernon Neverson, aka Trey Songz had a relationship with underground R&B singer Brandon Hines (who I have some of his music and is really good actually).  Of course, the Queen B, Sandra Rose swooped down on this info like a buzzard on a dead carcass and delivered it like she always does, bitch style.  She has an axe to grind to against Mr. Neverson, so I knew the Queen B would laugh it up like somebody getting a government check.  Oh well, I still wouldn't touch him with a 36 1/2 pole because he admitted himself he's had crabs on Sirius XM radio last year, so have at trollops and whores because he is your man, just get tested afterwards....

Of course there is a follow-up where, Trey's latest jump-off some random chick that people suppose to know from one of  VH-1's reality shows (Like I even care) named Ophilia, who used the obnoxious site Twitter to over "cover" for Mr. Neverson. 

Meanwhile, Sandra Rose being a bitch had to expose that and then some, LOL.  Sandra, you need a life seriously because you are killing me with this crap!   I CAN'T, I JUST CAN'T BECAUSE THIS SHIT IS TOO FUNNY!

Beyonce leading with 10, Whitney given none, and then Trey Songz even nominated? Uh, I'll pass...

Yesterday, the 52nd Annual Grammy Nominees were announced during their concert last night on CBS.

Here's the list:

Record Of The Year
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)

• Halo
  Beyoncé
  Beyoncé Knowles & Ryan Tedder, producers; Jim Caruana, Mark "Spike" Stent & Ryan Tedder, engineers/mixers
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music / Columbia]
  
  
• I Gotta Feeling
  The Black Eyed Peas
  David Guetta & Frederick Riesterer, producers; will.i.am, Dylan "3-D" Dresdow & Padraic "Padlock" Kerin, engineers/mixers
  [Interscope]
  
  
• Use Somebody
  Kings Of Leon
  Jacquire King & Angelo Petraglia, producers; Jacquire King, engineer/mixer
  [RCA Records]
  
  
• Poker Face
  Lady Gaga
  RedOne, producer; Robert Orton, RedOne & Dave Russell, engineers/mixers
  Track from: The Fame
  [Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree]
  
  
• You Belong With Me
  Taylor Swift
  Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers
  [Big Machine Records] 

Album Of The Year
(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.)

• I Am... Sasha Fierce
  Beyoncé
  Shondrae "Mr. Bangledesh" Crawford, Ian Dench, D-Town, Toby Gad, Sean "The Pen" Garrett, Amanda Ghost, Jim Jonsin, Beyoncé Knowles, Rico Love, Dave McCracken, Terius "The Dream" Nash, Radio Killa, Stargate, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Ryan Tedder & Wayne Wilkins, producers; Jim Caruana, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Toby Gad, Kuk Harrell, Jim Jonsin, Jaycen Joshua, Dave Pensado, Radio Killa, Mark "Spike" Stent, Ryan Tedder, Brian "B-LUV" Thomas, Marcos Tovar, Miles Walker & Wayne Wilkins, engineers/mixers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineer
  [Music World Music / Columbia]
  
  
• The E.N.D.
  The Black Eyed Peas
  Apl.de.ap, Jean Baptiste, Printz Board, DJ Replay, Funkagenda, David Guetta, Keith Harris, Mark Knight, Poet Name Life, Frederick Riesterer & will.i.am, producers; Dylan "3D" Dresdow, Padraic "Padlock" Kerin & will.i.am, engineers/mixers; Chris Bellman, mastering engineer
  [Interscope Records]
  
  
• The Fame
  Lady Gaga
  Flo Rida, Colby O'Donis & Space Cowboy, featured artists; Brian & Josh, Rob Fusari, Martin Kierszenbaum, RedOne & Space Cowboy, producers; 4Mil, Robert Orton, RedOne, Dave Russell & Tony Ugval, engineers/mixers; Gene Grimaldi, mastering engineer
  [Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree]
  
  
• Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King
  Dave Matthews Band
  Rob Cavallo, producer; Chris Lord-Alge & Doug McKean, engineers/mixers; Ted Jensen, mastering engineer
  [RCA Records / Bama Rags Recordings, LLC.]
  
  
• Fearless
  Taylor Swift
  Colbie Caillat, featured artist; Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson, Nathan Chapman & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers; Hank Williams, mastering engineer
  [Big Machine Records] 

Song Of The Year
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• Poker Face
  Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
  Track from: The Fame
  [Streamline/Interscope/Konlive/Cherrytree; Publishers: Stefani Germanotta p/k/a Lady Gaga, Sony/ATV Songs/House of Gaga Publishing/GloJoe Music, Sony/ATV Songs/RedOne Productions.]
  
  
• Pretty Wings
  Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
  Track from: Blacksummers' Night
  [Columbia; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tunes/Muszewell, EMI April Music, Ben Ami Music.]
  
  
• Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
  Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music / Columbia; Publishers: Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing, 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes, Suga Wuga Music, B-Day Publishing/EMI April Music.]
  
  
• Use Somebody
  Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
  [RCA Records; Publishers: Martha Street Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, Followill Music/Songs of Combustion Music/Music of Windswept, McFearless Music/Bug Music, Coffee, Tea or Me Publishing/Bug Music.]
  
  
• You Belong With Me
  Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
  Track from: Fearless
  [Big Machine Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Taylor Swift Music/Potting Shed Music, Barbara Orbison World Publishing.] 

Best New Artist
(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)

• Zac Brown Band
  
  
  
• Keri Hilson
  
  
  
• MGMT
  
  
  
• Silversun Pickups
  
  
• The Ting Tings

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Hometown Glory
  Adele
  Track from: 19
  [XL/Columbia]
  
  
• Halo
  Beyoncé
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music / Columbia]
  
  
• Hot N Cold
  Katy Perry
  [Capitol]
  
  
• Sober
  Pink
  Track from: Funhouse
  [LaFace Records]
  
  
• You Belong With Me
  Taylor Swift
  Track from: Fearless
  [Big Machine Records]

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• This Time
  John Legend
  Track from: Evolver
  [G.O.O.D. Music/Columbia]
  
  
• Love You
  Maxwell
  Track from: Blacksummers' Night
  [Columbia]
  
  
• Make It Mine
  Jason Mraz
  Track from: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
  [Atlantic]
  
  
• If You Don't Know Me By Now
  Seal
  Track from: Soul
  [143/Warner Bros.]
  
  
• All About The Love Again
  Stevie Wonder
  [Hidden Beach Records] 

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• I Gotta Feeling
  The Black Eyed Peas
  Track from: The E.N.D.
  [Interscope Records]
  
  
• We Weren't Born To Follow
  Bon Jovi
  [Island]
  
  
• Never Say Never
  The Fray
  Track from: The Fray
  [Epic]
  
  
• Sara Smile
  Daryl Hall & John Oates
  Track from: Live At The Troubadour
  [Shout! Factory]
  
  
• Kids
  MGMT
  Track from: Oracular Spectacular
  [Columbia] 

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Sea Of Heartbreak
  Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen
  [Manhattan]
  
  
• Love Sex Magic
  Ciara & Justin Timberlake
  Track from: Fantasy Ride
  [LaFace Records]
  
  
• Lucky
  Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
  Track from: We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.
  [Atlantic]
  
  
• Baby, It's Cold Outside
  Willie Nelson & Norah Jones
  Track from: American Classic
  [Blue Note]
  
  
• Breathe
  Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat
  Track from: Fearless
  [Big Machine Records] 

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
  Beyoncé
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music/Columbia]
  
  
• It Kills Me
  Melanie Fiona
  [SRC/Universal Motown]
  
  
• That Was Then
  Lalah Hathaway
  Track from: Self Portrait
  [Stax Records/Concord Music Group]
  
  
• Goin' Thru Changes
  Ledisi
  Track from: Turn Me Loose
  [Verve Forecast]
  
  
• Lions, Tigers & Bears
  Jazmine Sullivan
  [J Records]
  
  
  

Category 24

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance
(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• The Point Of It All
  Anthony Hamilton
  Track from: The Point Of It All
  [So So Def]
  
  
• Pretty Wings
  Maxwell
  Track from: Blacksummers' Night
  [Columbia]
  
  
• Sobeautiful
  Musiq Soulchild
  Track from: OnMyRadio
  [Atlantic]
  
  
• Under
  Pleasure P
  Track from: The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
  [Swagga Ent./Atlantic]
  
  
• There Goes My Baby
  Charlie Wilson
  Track from: Uncle Charlie
  [Jive Records]
  
  
  

Category 25

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Blame It
  Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
  [J Records]
  
  
• Chocolate High
  India.Arie & Musiq Soulchild
  Track from: Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
  [Soulbird/Universal Republic]
  
  
• Ifuleave
  Musiq Soulchild & Mary J. Blige
  Track from: OnMyRadio
  [Atlantic]
  
  
• Higher Ground
  Robert Randolph & The Clark Sisters
  Track from: Oh Happy Day
  [EMI Gospel]
  
  
• Love Has Finally Come At Last
  Calvin Richardson & Ann Nesby
  Track from: Facts Of Life The Soul Of Bobby Womack
  [Shanachie Entertainment Corp.]
  
  
  

Category 26

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• At Last
  Beyoncé
  Track from: Cadillac Records Music From The Motion Picture
  [Music World Music/Columbia]
  
  
• Soul Music
  Anthony Hamilton
  Track from: Soul Men Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  [Stax/Concord]
  
  
• Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
  Boney James & Quinn
  Track from: Send One Your Love
  [Concord Records]
  
  
• Sow Love
  Ann Nesby
  Track from: The Lula Lee Project
  [It's Time Child Records/Tyscot]
  
  
• Woman Gotta Have It
  Calvin Richardson
  Track from: Facts Of Life The Soul Of Bobby Womack
  [Shanachie Entertainment Corp.]
  
  
  

Category 27

Best Urban/Alternative Performance
(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Daykeeper
  The Foreign Exchange
  Track from: Leave It All Behind
  [Hard Boiled Records]
  
  
• All Matter
  Robert Glasper & Bilal
  Track from: Double Booked
  [Blue Note]
  
  
• Pearls
  India.Arie & Dobet Gnahore
  Track from: Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
  [Soulbird/Universal Republic]
  
  
• A Tale Of Two
  Eric Roberson, Ben O'Neill & Michelle Thompson
  Track from: Music Fan First
  [Blue Erro Soul]
  
  
• Blend
  Tonex
  Track from: Unspoken
  [Battery Records]
  
  
  

Category 28

Best R&B Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• Blame It
  James T. Brown, John Conte, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Christopher Henderson, Brandon R. Melanchon, Breyon Prescott, T-Pain & Nathan L. Walker, songwriters (Jamie Foxx & T-Pain)
  [J Records; Publishers: Sly As A Foxx Music/Bug Music, Gifted Source Music/EMI April Music, It's N8 Publishing, James T. Brown, Brandon R. Melanchon, John Conte, Jr., Nappypub Music/Universal Music Z Songs, Chameleon Publishing.]
  
  
• Lions, Tigers & Bears
  Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)
  [J Records; Publishers: Nappy Puddy Music/Universal Music-Z Tunes, Salaam Remi Music/EMI April Music.]
  
  
• Pretty Wings
  Hod David & Musze, songwriters (Maxwell)
  Track from: Blacksummers' Night
  [Columbia; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tunes/Muszewell, EMI April Music, Ben Ami Music.]
  
  
• Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
  Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
  Track from: I Am... Sasha Fierce
  [Music World Music / Columbia; Publishers: Songs of Peer/March 9th Publishing, 2082 Music/WB Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Tunes, Suga Wuga Music, B-Day Publishing/EMI April Music.]
  
  
• Under
  D. Babbs, L. Bereal, M. Cooper, A. Dixon, J. Franklin, T. Jones, R. New & K. Stephens, songwriters (Pleasure P)
  Track from: The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
  [Swagga Ent./Atlantic; Publishers: Tank1176Music/Blackfountain/Antonio Dixon's Muzik/EMI April Music/Notting Dale Songs/Lonnalistic/Songs4ronnie/Doverland 301 Music/Thailand Music/K.Stephens Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, Silverplatinumy2k.]
  
  
  

Category 29

Best R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

• The Point Of It All
  Anthony Hamilton
  [So So Def]
  
  
• Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics
  India.Arie
  [Soulbird/Universal Republic]
  
  
• Turn Me Loose
  Ledisi
  [Verve Forecast]
  
  
• Blacksummers' Night
  Maxwell
  [Columbia]
  
  
• Uncle Charlie
  Charlie Wilson
  [Jive Records]
  
  
  

Category 30

Best Contemporary R&B Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

• I Am... Sasha Fierce
  Beyoncé
  [Music World Music/Columbia]
  
  
• Intuition
  Jamie Foxx
  [J Records]
  
  
• The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper
  Pleasure P
  [Swagga Ent./Atlantic]
  
  
• Ready
  Trey Songz
  [Songbook/Atlantic]
  
  
• Thr33 Ringz
  T-Pain
  [Jive Records]
  
  
  

Field 7 — Rap

Category 31

Best Rap Solo Performance
(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Best I Ever Had
  Drake
  [Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown]
  
  
• Beautiful
  Eminem
  Track from: Relapse
  [Aftermath/Interscope Records]
  
  
• D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
  Jay-Z
  [Roc Nation]
  
  
• Day 'N' Nite
  Kid Cudi
  [Universal Motown/Good/Fool's Gold]
  
  
• Casa Bey
  Mos Def
  Track from: The Ecstatic
  [Downtown Records]
  
  
  

Category 32

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group
(For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Too Many Rappers
  Beastie Boys & Nas
  [Capitol]
  
  
• Crack A Bottle
  Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
  Track from: Relapse
  [Aftermath/Interscope]
  
  
• Money Goes, Honey Stay
  Fabolous & Jay-Z
  Track from: Loso's Way
  [Def Jam]
  
  
• Make Her Say
  Kid Cudi, Kanye West & Common
  [Universal Motown/GOOD Music]
  
  
• Amazing
  Kanye West & Young Jeezy
  Track from: 808s & Heartbreak
  [Roc-A-Fella]
  
  
  

Category 33

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
(For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

• Ego
  Beyoncé & Kanye West
  [Music World Music/Columbia]
  
  
• Knock You Down
  Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
  Track from: In A Perfect World...
  [MMG/Zone 4/Interscope Records]
  
  
• Run This Town
  Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
  [Roc Nation]
  
  
• I'm On A Boat
  The Lonely Island & T-Pain
  Track from: Incredibad
  [Universal Republic Records]
  
  
• Dead And Gone
  T.I. & Justin Timberlake
  Track from: Paper Trail
  [Grand Hustle/Atlantic]
  
  
  

Category 34

Best Rap Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

• Best I Ever Had
  Aubrey Drake Graham, D. Hamilton & M. Samuels, songwriters (Drake)
  [Aspire/Young Money/Cash Money; Publisher: Sony/ATV Tunes.]
  
  
• Day 'N' Nite
  S. Mescudi & O. Omishore, songwriters (Kid Cudi)
  [Universal Motown/Good/Fool's Gold; Publishers: Elsie's Baby Boy, Owo Olorun, Universal Music Publishing.]
  
  
• Dead And Gone
  C. Harris, R. Tadross & J. Timberlake, songwriters (T.I. & Justin Timberlake)
  Track from: Paper Trail
  [Grand Hustle/Atlantic; Publishers: Crown Club Publishing/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing/Tenman Tunes/Universal Z Tunes/Cleopatra's Sons Music/EMI April Music.]
  
  
• D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
  Shawn Carter & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Gary DeCarlo, Dale Frashuer, Paul Leka, Janko Nilovic & Dave Sucky, songwriters) (Jay-Z)
  [Atlantic; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music, Unichappell Music, APM Music.]
  
  
• Run This Town
  Shawn Carter, R. Fenty, M. Riddick, Kanye West & E. Wilson, songwriters (Athanasios Alatas, songwriter) (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West)
  [Roc Nation; Publishers: EMI April Music, Carter Boys Music/Please Gimme My Publishing/EMI Blackwood/Chrysalis Songs/No ID Music/All The Above Publishing/Sony ATV/Annauhi Music/Athanasios Alatas Publishing.]
  
  
  

Category 35

Best Rap Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

• Universal Mind Control
  Common
  [Geffen]
  
  
• Relapse
  Eminem
  [Aftermath/Interscope]
  
  
• R.O.O.T.S.
  Flo Rida
  [Poe Boy/Atlantic]
  
  
• The Ecstatic
  Mos Def
  [Downtown Records]
  
  
• The Renaissance
  Q-Tip
  [Universal Motown]

Uh, after looking over this list of genres I listen to the most, this list is crazy.  Obviously it's more of a popularity contest these days over talent, circa the American Music Awards (AMA)s.  After they rejected Whitney then gave Beyonce 10 noms when I Am Sasha Fierce is a hot mess most of the album(s) then giving a nom to wannabee R. Kelly, aka Tremaine Neverson. I think I'll pass the 2010 Grammys....

YAWN! The AMA last night...

I thought it was going to be good, but nope!  Although I could care less for Sean "Jay-Z" Carter, his performance with Alicia Keys of "Empire State of Mind" was the apex of the night.  Even my girl, Janet, was boring and lacklaster last night with her opening performance. 

Rihanna, well, was OK, but the hype of bigger than the performance.  I'm going to have to take a line from T-Boz and Jazzy Phae, who were sitting in for Ryan Cameron on V-103 today, Rihanna needs to get with Divine Stevens and get it together performance-wise.  She has beaten Beyonce in the hits category, but if you really want to become a BIG NAME like her then you gotta step it up on the live performance tip.  Otherwise, she'll be like Mariah Carey, just a sit-and-watch artist when it comes to performance like her music.

Other stuff, the whole granddose intro for Keith Urban as a "sexy man and half" was EXTRA to Carrie Underwood pretending to be major when she should know her lane by now.  WTF was the Black Eyed Peas doing?  I love me some B.E.P., but they should have SAT DOWN with that crap.  Jennifer Lopez, SMDH, I hate to say this, but J.Lo your time in the music spotlight is up!  The rest was alright from Kelly Clarkson (who has gone back to her natural size and I'm proud) to Sharika give one of her best with the Timbaland-produced hit "Give It Up to Me". 

Oh yeah, I changed the channel on Adam Lambert's so-called contraversial performance because I was bored with the AMAs and the news was on by then.  However, I saw it and it was forced and lame.  It's cute that you are open about your sexuality Adam, but you could have tried to let it occur naturally like most contraversial performance rather than hyping it up to be one...