Dear Beliebers (and His Manager), Justin Bieber Was Not Snubbed By The Grammys, and Here's Why

Was Justin Bieber paid dust
by the Grammys?

Last night, the 2013 Grammy nominations were announced, with notable mentions of Frank Ocean, Fun., Miguel, Kelly Clarkson, or more.

Of course, with everyone who is nominated for the most prestigious music awards on the planet, there are people who are snubbed.

One of the most obvious absences from the nominee list is Justin Bieber, who released his third album Believe this past year to considerable first week sales and two huge hits, "Boyfriend" and "As Long As You Love Me". Bieber's absence from the Grammys has led his fans into a virtual maelstrom via Twitter. Even Scooter Braun, Bieber's manager, took to Twitter to criticize the Grammy board for snubbing the teenager.

Newsflash, though: he wasn't snubbed. Bieber didn't deserve a Grammy nod this year.

While Justin Bieber received credit from critics for attempting to mature his sound, Believe is nothing more than a decent pop album in a year filled with them. Braun argued that Bieber really worked hard on this album, but a lot of artists work hard, and have produced much stronger efforts. "Boyfriend" has some of the most eye-rolling lyrics in recent pop memory, while "As Long As You Love Me" is standard dubstep-lite fare. Nothing on the album was terribly exciting or pushed any musical boundaries for the year. For example, Bieber's mentor Usher scored a nomination for "Climax", one of the most interesting R&B singles he has ever released. Although it was predictable, Katy Perry's "Wide Awake" is one of the strongest pop ballads of the year. And then there is labelmate Carly Rae Jepsen, who released not only the year's most inescapable hit, but also one of the most charming. Sorry, but there is nothing charming about sitting by the fire, eating fondue.

Then there is his public behavior, which has a lot more weight than you would expect. I'm sure the Grammy committee wouldn't take kindly to an artist who wouldn't even change his clothes to meet the head of state of his own country. Although certainly not the defining factor, the committee takes notice of an artist's behavior. Essentially, he needs to stop acting like a brat.

At the end of the day, there was nothing about Believe that would justify it replacing any of the other nominees. He may have worked hard on it, but that doesn't guarantee a nod, especially if the material just isn't strong enough. Bieber just needs to take stock in the fact that he has indeed been a Grammy nominee before.

Better luck next time.

Ciara's Career Crisis: Is She Done?

Ciara needs a big heaping dose of "magic" to revive her album sales

R&B singer Ciara had some admittedly tough competition for her album's release week (like Michael Jackson's Michael), but no one could have really anticipated just how badly she would do the first week. The numbers are in, and with sales of approximately 37,000 copies, Basic Instinct, her fourth studio album, debuted at #44 on the Billboard charts.

That's right, #44.

Without question, it is one of the worst launch weeks for an artist of Ciara's status ever. To put it in perspective, both Kylie Minogue and Robyn, relatively unknown in the US, peaked higher than Ciara did when they released, at #19 and #41 respectively. What's worse is that this during the holiday shopping season, when album sales are typically higher than usual. Had Ciara released earlier like she intended to, there is a good possibility she would have flopped even harder.

So, what happened to Ciara, who seemed to be doing well with "Ride" earlier this year, and is it too late for her to turn her career around?

I wouldn't say that Ciara's career is done, but I would certainly say that she needs to make some serious changes and decisions, and make them fast.

One of the biggest decisions she needs to make is whether or not to stay with Jive. Honestly, had I not been the pop music junkie that I am, I probably wouldn't have known she was releasing an album this week. The promotion for the album was pretty weak, even though she did perform on some TV shows. There needed to be a bigger push, especially after the mess that was the Fantasy Ride era in 2008. Jive, despite having Britney on their roster, is pretty much a floundering fish these days, with the American Idol catalog and all. Ciara would probably benefit a lot from a change of scene, as long as that scene isn't UMG, which is tempting to change over. With artists like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Kanye West over there, Ciara wouldn't see the light of day. Whether she moves or not, she needs to figure out her relationship with her label, because it's not working right now.

Ciara's biggest issue, in my opinion, is what I believe felled Christina Aguilera this year. I don't think Ciara really knows where she fits in the current music landscape. When she first burst onto the scene, she was girl from Atlanta riding the Crunk music wave. That was in 2005, and musical tastes have changed drastically. After her failed attempt at pop with Fantasy Ride, she's decided to go back to that image and style with Basic Instinct, especially with her latest single "Gimme Dat". What she may not realize is that people have long since moved on from crunk, and she isn't big enough to revive it. What she's releasing is music that is so radio-repellent that it's no surprise no one really knew her album was coming out.

I'm not saying she should book a flight to Sweden and release an album of dance-pop (although it could work). I understand her desire to remain in her field. However, she needs to try something new while keeping to her roots. To do that, she really needs to ditch The-Dream, the executive producer of her latest album. The truth is The-Dream is a hit-and-miss producer, and it's doubtful that he is saving his hits for Ciara when he's got bigger fish to fill, like Beyonce. He's quickly spiraling to irrelevant anyway; he can't even release a hit for himself. She needs fresh blood, fresh producers, to revive her artistic output. Maybe she should give Max Martin a call after all.

Speaking of artistry (a word that American Idol made me despise), Ciara needs to look at herself and decide who she is competing with. Back when she released "Goodies", she was the it girl who could move in the same lane as Beyonce, while Rihanna was just a girl from Barbados with a song made for one-hit wonder-dom. Fast forward a half decade, and Rihanna is a megastar while Ciara is not. What Rihanna did was that she improved her music to put herself in the superstar category. Had she continued releasing music like "Pon De Replay", she would be nothing. Ciara needs to do the same thing. If she wants to be global, she needs to act like it, and record music accordingly. If she wants to be a strictly Urban artist, like Keyshia Cole, than she needs to stick there. My problem is, for someone who has tasted worldwide success, that may not be, and should not be, enough for Ciara.

Ciara is a very nice woman and she is talented, so I don't want her to fail. To be frank, though, she is dangerously close to being irrelevant. The dismal performance of Basic Instinct is proof of that. I don't think she's done, but she needs to get it together. Fast.

BEST: Prince Says The Internet Is Over!

Prince says NO to iTunes for new album 20Ten

Prince would say some next level stuff like the Internet is over, because he's freakin' Prince!

The pop legend declared the world wide web's demise in an interview with UK tabloid The Daily Mirror, which is giving away his new album 20Ten for free this week. The Purple One, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's BET Awards, has yet to announce an American release date, but it certainly won't be over iTunes, or the Internet.

“The Internet is completely over. I don't see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else. They won't pay me an advance for it and then they get angry when they can't get it. Internet’s like MTV. At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good. They just fill your head with numbers and that can’t be good for you.”

Of course, he couldn't be further from the truth, but Prince wouldn't be who he was if he didn't make comments like this. Plus, he has a pretty dodgy history with big business. Remember when he changed his name to that symbol in the 90's during a feud with Warner Bros. (who ironically share his distaste for YouTube)?

Duffy To Estelle: Soul Music Has No One Race!

 

On BBC's Radio 1, Welsh singer Duffy has responded to Estelle's assertion that soul music is a genre only reserved for black artists. She explained that "if the talent and the desire is there, I don't really think it matters what color you are. We don't live in the 1950s anymore. We are a multicultural country".

Duffy also responded to Estelle's belief that there are no black artists in the UK singing soul: "So no, I think that’s pretty far from the truth. Look around and I think you'll see that it [Black Soul] really does exist."

I completely agree with Duffy, and am very disappointed in Estelle's apparent close-mindedness. Obviously, she has never heard any song from Hall and Oates.

"Idol Gives Back": Sincere Charity Effort or Manipulative Marketing Ploy?

For seven years, American Idol has been the focal point of the music industry. Contestants become superstars. Songs sung shoot up iTunes. Established artists experience significant boosts when they appear on the show. An average of 30 million viewers tune into the reality giant to see the year's fresh crop of talent. Of course, all of these facts are certainly not lost on the producers of the show. Why else would they have an hour-long result show (it used to be a 1/2 hour)? For what other reason would they air a week's worth of auditions over a month and a half period? The truth is, American Idol (as much as I love it) has a tendency to be manipulative in order to maximum the profit margin.

It was because of this reason that I was so leery of Idol Gives Back the first time around. Yes, it's a great idea for one of the country's most influential shows to do something for the world. But that feeling of sincerity continues to nag at me. To clarify, not the sincerity of the judges or the contestants; I believe that they truly care. However, it is kind of hard to accept that a show notorious for its audience manipulation is all of the sudden a beacon of light for charities across the country and Africa.

The show last night was terribly long, but sat through it all. Starting at 7:30pm, all the way to 10:10pm, I watched a variety of artists and celebrities perform in order to raise money for the aforementioned charities. Some of the segments were heart-tugging and emotional (Bono's video packages, Carrie Underwood's stunning performance of "Praying for Time"). Those moments made the whole show worth it for me. Other moments were cringe-worthy and ridiculous (Terri Hatcher singing, Miley Cyrus performing TWICE). Then there was the odd smattering of celebrities from seemingly every walk of entertainment making appeals for donations. That was the part that was a bit unsettling. American Idol is a music show, so it naturally makes since that musicians would be there. It is also a television show, so that could explain (although barely) many TV stars appearing as well. But how random was Eli and Peyton Manning appearing on stage? Even they admitted it was weird. What about UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown? David Beckham and Posh Spice?

All of the celebrities made it seem like they were literally pulling at all directions, getting any popular face they could to maximize ratings. One could argue that the high ratings would equal high donations, but what they forget is that high ratings equal high advertising prices. Last time I checked, the money AI made from all of the commercials wasn't being donated to charity.

I'm very glad that American Idol is raising money for amazing causes, and I hope they continue doing so. That said, charity doesn't mask the American Idol money machine still in full force. I would be less unsettled if the show wasn't so bloated, contrived, and seemingly desperate for ratings.

If anyone disagrees, I would greatly appreciate your comments. Maybe I am overanalyzing it. If I am, let me know, LOL!

Me to Sony BMG: Drop The Lawsuit Against Perez!

Now, I am not to defend Perez Hilton of all people, but this is just wrong!

Sony BMG is suing Perez Hilton because of song clips he put on his website that were allegedly from Britney Spears' album Blackout. He is being slapped with a lawsuit despite the fact the songs were already available before appearing on Perez's website and that he only streamed them.

What is really annoying about this is that Perez heavily promotes Sony BMG's artists, for free. Perez's website is one of the most influential right now, with millions visiting his blog a month. To sue someone who really is an ally is absurd.

The argument for Sony BMG is that streaming her songs could affect album sales. That is a load of bull, and they have to know it. If anything, the leaked songs gave press to Britney's colossal flop of an album.It's not Perez's fault that Blackout barely sold 500,000 copies. It's Britney's fault.

I don't understand why record companies don't use the internet to their advantage. With websites like Perez, TMZ, and YouTube around, you have TONS of advertising. Instead of removing YouTube videos of artists' music, they could put up special tracks themselves. That way, the listener has more of an incentive to buy the record. It's common sense, for heaven's sake! Instead of suing Perez, Sony BMG could've sent him a cease-and-desist message. They could've also worked with him, sending him exclusive music to promote on his website.

It just seems so childish for a major label to go after someone who has only helped them in the past. Yes, he is a rude ass, but he is good business. It's practices like this that are signaling the collapse of the record industry.

If Sony BMG wants to save any face, they will definitely drop the insulting and ridiculous against Perez Hilton.

Here is the link to Perez's post about the matter:

Sony BMG vs. Perez Hilton

The Leona Hating Continues!

First Jamelia, and now Kate Nash!

Kate Nash, who stunned many by beating Leona Lewis for the Best British Female award at the BRITs, is going on the offensive, by attacking Leona! The indie artist, who is also trying to join the wave of female British artists trying to crack the US, said in a statement:

"Leona seems like a really nice girl. But I think it was really good I won it because I started this myself. I'm not a manufactured, size-zero pop artist who is going to bring out her own perfume and clothes range."

This really starting to annoy me, especially since I really like "Foundations", Nash's first big hit in the UK. Just because she got her start on a reality show does NOT mean she is a manufactured artist, nor does it mean she didn't work as hard!

Leona got up in front of thousands of people in a studio and millions watching at home EVERY week and sang LIVE! If anything, she worked just as hard to get where she was. With her massive popularity, they could've easily rush-released an album of crap in a month. Instead, she took her time, working HARD to truly create an album she would be proud of. For God's sake, you don't have to like her, but at least have some class and respect, like she does.

And BTW, speaking of being a role model, I don't see Kate Nash flying off to a country to try and provide help to a large group of people who need it!

Still love "Foundations" (it may be a Download of the Day), but Hop off!

You've Gotta Be Kidding Me! Mariah's New Album Cover!

Honestly, I wasn't expecting anything clever, like Mariah as a scientist mixing musical notes together in a beaker, or something like that, but in my honest opinion, this is really lazy. I mean, she is just standing there, with some kind of fur wrapped around her. Then again, most of her album covers have been of her posing, so, I guess it works.

 

Any thoughts?

Me To Silda Spitzer: Dump Him!

Once again, soon-to-be former New York First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer stood by her husband as he resigned from office in career-ending shame. What does it mean? What should do from here?

It may sound repetitive, but I say dump him.

New reports are claiming Governor Spitzer spent over $80,000 on the prostitutes of the Emperors Club VIP. He's also been involved with the prostitution ring for years, long before he assumed the office of New York's highest office. He was making dates with women when he was trying to crack down on the illegal business as Attorney General. For approximately six years, when their youngest child was 7, Eliot Spitzer has been betraying his family, especially his wife. While she made the choice to sacrifice her job to raise their children, Spitzer was sleeping with a variety of hookers, probably ignoring the damage he could do.

The wear and tear of this humiliating ordeal could be seen both times she stood by her disgraced husband. She looked nothing like the vibrant woman who stood by him little more than a year ago when he was inaugurated. She looked like a woman about to die of embarrassment, shame, and public humiliation.

A man who does that to a woman he claims to love adore doesn't deserve her, his kids, or the office which he unabashedly betrayed with his tawdry lies.

My final point to Mrs. Spitzer: save yourself and dump your cheating, hooker-loving hubby.

Because They're Too Nice To Say So...

The new stage and opening for American Idol are boisterous, overdone, and as obnoxious as the never-ending commercial breaks that we are forced to sit through.

Because They're Too Nice To Say So...

Jamelia is a jealous, hating-ass bitch.

My source for all British entertainment news, Digital Spy UK, has reported that my fav Leona Lewis has responded to comments that fellow British singer Jamelia has made about her. Jamelia, who's had modest hits in the UK and NO success in America, has said, and I quote:

"Leona is a poor man's Mariah Carey...Leona may be talented, but she's not worked as hard as me or others in the industry - fact!"

Now, Leona is striking back! Sort of...

She explained that she was hurt by Jamelia's mean-spirited comments, because she never met her. She also insinuated that she may be insecure about her success.

Of course she's insecure!

Leona is on the verge of global superstardom. Jamelia is a nameless face in a sea of dance-pop divas that are currently being ruled by the queen, Rihanna. 

Leona's too classy to say this, so I'll do it for her.

Jamelia is a jealous, hating-ass bitch!