The 58th Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on Monday, February 15, 2016 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. A couple months ago, I wrote about a few artists I believed were worthy of recognition, and they’re all among the artists nominated…
Kendrick Lemar may be leading the pack with 11 nods and D’Angelo’s return is magnificent, but it’s THE WEEKND’s journey, that I’d consider this year’s greatest musical success story. Straight outta Canada, he made his YouTube debut in 2010, and released his first studio album “Kiss Land” in 2013. His latest effort “Beauty Behind the Madness,” is up for Album Of The Year, and it features the single “Can’t Feel My Face,” which is nominated for Record Of The Year. He’s also up for Solo Pop Performance for “Can’t Feel My Face”; R&B Performance and R&B Song for “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)”; Urban Contemporary Album for ‘Beauty’; and best Song Written For Visual Media for “Earned It,” and he certainly has.
From across the pond, FLORENCE + THE MACHINE dropped their debut studio album “Lungs” in 2009, and haven’t stopped breathing air into the genre of rock since. The band that features Florence Welch as the lead singer, is up for Pop Duo/Group for “Ship To Wreck,” and best Rock Performance for “What Kind Of Man.” They’re also in the running for Pop Vocal Album for “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful,” and Rock Song for “What Kind Of Man.” JAMES BAY’s “Hold Back The River,” is also up for Rock Song, but it’s the title of Best New Artist that’s highly anticipated for him. Another from the U.K., his debut release “Chaos And The Calm,” is also up for best Rock Album.
I can only imagine that SETH MacFARLANE’s ascension as a recording artist is a dream come true for him. He hosted a 100 year birthday celebration for Frank Sinatra recently, and his third album “No One Ever Tells You,” scored a nomination for Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Lemar isn’t the only one in rap that’s up for honors, as NICKI MINAJ’s “The Pinkprint” is in the category for best Rap Album too. She’s also among the nominees for Rap Performance for “Truffle Butter” and Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Only.” Both songs feature DRAKE, who’s up for Rap Song, with his cut “Energy.” The king of collaborations in hip-hop, Drake has also scored nods for Rap Performance for “Back To Back,” and Rap Album for his latest “If You’re Reading This Its Too Late.”
ANDRA DAY is the other success story of the year! She’s up for best R&B Performance for her hit “Rise Up.” Day has been performing this uplifting tune in numerous circles, that’s from her debut album, “Cheers To The Fall” that’s nominated for R&B Album. A long time favorite in the music community and loved around the world, Grammy winner ANGELIQUE KIDJO’s CD “Sings”, is nominated for best World Music Album. One group I didn’t mention in my earlier blog, is MORGAN HERITAGE, but I interviewed them when they first got started. The children of reggae master Denroy Morgan, their CD “Strictly Roots,” is nominated for best Reggae Album.
Now these are not all the artists that are up for honors, but just a few that I’m happy that have been recognized, and honored to talk about.
https://museumofuncutfunk.com/2015/10/08/my-definition-of-funk-for-your-consideration/
https://museumofuncutfunk.com/2015/10/31/funky-jazz-in-2015-for-your-consideration/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ek6uQ96Hc&feature=youtu.be%20
for the LOVE of music and the Grammys
c-dub
