The Grammys Complete Their Pop Transition - Is There A Future For Soul?

[jobeterob]

http://www.soultracks.com/cr-grammys-2015

[jobeterob]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/grammy-awards-2015-the-complete-winners-list-20150208

[RossHolloway]

I see folks are still watching the Grammy's for some reason. Not once in my life have I ever ran out and bought a record after watching a performance on the Grammy's. I just think they're meaningless. I've always found it odd and unsettling that the Grammy's have been so quick to embrace English "Soul Acts" into their mainstream [[Sam Smith, Adele and Amy Winehouse) while at the same time ignoring American soul artists.

[soulster]

But, they do get recognized, as evidenced by the performers. Truth is that 2014 wasn't a big year for traditional R&B. If that's what you are looking for, you will not be happy. I like the new R&B coming out today. It has rap in it, but so what! Iggy Azalea, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Bruno Mars, even Paul McCartney, of all people! There's a lot of good stuff out there if you will just listen.

[RossHolloway]

But, they do get recognized, as evidenced by the performers. Truth is that 2014 wasn't a big year for traditional R&B. If that's what you are looking for, you will not be happy. I like the new R&B coming out today. It has rap in it, but so what! Iggy Azalea, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Bruno Mars, even Paul McCartney, of all people! There's a lot of good stuff out there if you will just listen.
I guess it all depends on what you're looking for and what your tastes are. I think Grammy awards are more a product of backroom politics than appreciated talent. And there was plenty of good if not great "traditional r&b" music released in 2014, in addition to years prior, but if the artist or their label is outside of certain powerful circle, then they get overlooked and unrecognized. Adele, Sam Smith, et al is not real soul music, it's waterdowned and immitated soul music at best.

[soulster]

I guess it all depends on what you're looking for and what your tastes are. I think Grammy awards are more a product of backroom politics than appreciated talent. And there was plenty of good if not great "traditional r&b" music released in 2014, in addition to years prior, but if the artist or their label is outside of certain powerful circle, then they get overlooked and unrecognized. Adele, Sam Smith, et al is not real soul music, it's waterdowned and immitated soul music at best.
Agree about Sam Smith and Adele, but today's artists have real talent.

[jobeterob]

So Kanye West got crapped on big time by Variety for his antics around Album of the Year. I thought it was all part of an act and he played it up very deliberately.

Is he all ego or a clown?

[Bokiluis]

I have the Sam Smith album and I struggle to hear "soul" in the music. His lyrics may be impassioned, but, musically speaking it sounds like a pop record to me.

[ralpht]

Rob...Clown with an ego problem I would say.

[blueskies]

Rob...Clown with an ego problem I would say.'
I'd say Kayne West more fits that description.

[jobeterob]

That's what Ralph was saying Blueskies!

Here is an article on what artists and songwriters are going to be paid for the use of their material by Spotify and other streaming services!

The Policy War at the Grammys:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/policy-war-grammys-114990.html

[jobeterob]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/09/kanye-west-blasts-grammys_n_6642542.html

Another article!

[soulster]

People have tried to tell Mr. West about the way he appears to the rest of us, but it's just not getting through his thick skull. Maybe the only way for him to get the message is for him to go too far and take a big hit financially, or in that fat mouth of his. In other words, he needs to be humbled. There must be someone out there who can talk some sense into him. That should be his wife, since he apparently has no other family, but she's just as nutty as he is.

[blueskies]

That's what Ralph was saying Blueskies!

Here is an article on what artists and songwriters are going to be paid for the use of their material by Spotify and other streaming services!

The Policy War at the Grammys:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/policy-war-grammys-114990.html

Oops....I see that, Rob. It's hell to get old and the 'eyes and mind' are in conflict! LOL