#GRAMMYS: TAYLOR SWIFT + KENDRICK LAMAR LEAD LIST OF 2016 GRAMMY WINNERS

Not that it was a surprise, but Taylor Swift takes home the Album of the Year award a second time at the GRAMMYs tonight for her 5.7 million copy-selling Disc, 1989. The Album also won for Pop Vocal Album, while single Bad Blood won Video of the Year.  Swift, sporting a new bob-cut, stole the spotlight, addressing some shade thrown her way recently on Kanye West track Famous on which he takes credit for her rise to fame. She said, “There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame, but if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you are going, you’ll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there and that will be the greatest feeling in the world”.

West once again proves that he isn’t a favourite with GRAMMY voters, failing to win tonight despite being up for Rap Song, Rap-Sung Collaboration and Rap Performance this year.  Rap categories were dominated by leading nominee Kendrick Lamar, who was victorious for Rap Performance, Rap/Sung Collaboration, Rap Song, Rap Album and also Music Video for his collaboration with Taylor Swift on Bad Blood.

Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson got some much due respect winning Song of the Year for their outstanding collaboration, Uptown Funk. The track also won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and its remixed version by David Audé also won Best Remixed Recording (Non-Classical).

Meanwhile Ed Sheeran, won Song of the Year with Thinking Out Loud. The track also got Pop Solo Performance for the English Singer/Songwriter.

Often seen as a bit of a career curse, promising talent Meghan Trainor was named Best New Artist, reaching the summit of the Billboard Hot 200 with platinum-selling debut disc, Title.

Canada’s Justin Bieber notches his first GRAMMY win ever for Dance Recording with Skrillex/Diplo collaboration Where Are You Now. Our The Weeknd also brought-home that Canadian glory with Best R&B Performance on Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack) and Best Urban Contemporary Album for Beauty Behind the Madness.

See some of the evening’s most memorable performances!

Adele performing All I Ask (penned and introduced by Bruno Mars):

Lady Gaga paying tribute to David Bowie:

 

Tribute to Lionel Ritchie by John Legend, Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor + Tyrese:

Complete list of winners here.

(Photo/video credit: TNT/Grammys)

#NEWMUSIC: RIHANNA FT. KANYE WEST + PAUL MCCARTNEY – “FOURFIVESECONDS” VIDEO PREMIERE

It’s been over two years now since we’ve heard anything new from Rihanna. We’ve been expecting an explosive return to the Dance Floor or something darker like her Unapologetic era. But alas what we get is a Collabo with The Beatles Legend Paul McCartney and Kanye West. Upon first glance we were thinking – maybe a Club Banger with a Paul McCartney Sample? WRONG. Four Five Seconds is an acoustic affair – soulful vocals from Rihanna – who has never sounded better –  with her and Kanye taking turns on the verses, and McCartney on guitar. Although we weren’t sure if this was a proper Single, it indeed is.

A new Video, simple in black and white directed by Fashion Photographers Inez & Vinoodh has just surfaced for the acoustic Single. Anything more would’ve been too much for the laid-back and minimal Track!

Watch the Video for FourFiveSeconds:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

#NEWMUSIC: NEW REMIXES FOR MADONNA’S NEW SINGLE “LIVING FOR LOVE” + “REBEL HEART” DETAILS

Madonna makes a return to form on upcoming 13th studio disc, REBEL HEART, in stores Tuesday, March 10, 2015.  A Preview EP for the 19-Track Opus was released just before Christmas, reaching #1 in over 49 countries and we can expect similar of the eagerly-awaited  full Disc.

Track Listing is as follows:

01 “Living For Love”
02 “Devil Pray”
03 “Ghosttown”
04 “Unapologetic Bitch”
05 “Illuminati”
06 “Bitch I’m Madonna” (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
07 “Hold Tight”
08 “Joan Of Arc”
09 “Iconic” (Feat. Chance The Rapper & Mike Tyson)
10 “HeartBreakCity”
11 “Body Shop”
12 “Holy Water”
13 “Inside Out”
14 “Wash All Over Me”
15 “Best Night”
16 “Veni Vidi Vici” (Feat. Nas)
17 “S.E.X.”
18 “Messiah”
19 “Rebel Heart”

 

HOLD UP!  REWIND!  Did we just see Mike Tyson‘s name on the Track Listing?  How?!?

The new Single from REBEL HEART has been chosen and it will be Living for Love, reminiscent of her Like a Prayer era sound and new Remixes have been satiating Fans from Offer Nissim, Dirty Pop, Mike Rizzo and Thrill!

 

Our Fave? Definitely Rizzo‘s energetic Mix:

Madonna also has been confirmed to perform at the 57th annual GRAMMYS, taking place on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 (airing on CITY in Canada)!

Big things in 2015 for the Blonde One.

Universal Music Canada release REBEL HEART. Pre-order here.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music Canada)

#NEWMUSIC: TLC SURPRISE AT THE 2013 OVO FESTIVAL

OMG. I can imagine the reaction of the Audience yesterday at Drake‘s OVO Festival at Molson Amphitheatre when Surprise Guests came out on stage! The now-Duo performed a few of their biggest Hits including No Scrubs and Waterfalls, which recently saw a resurgence in that it is prominently featured in the Trailer for upcoming Comedy, We’re The Millers.

On the verge of a Comeback, TLC recently released their new Single Crooked Smile, a Collaboration with Rapper J Cole, the latter who along with Kanye West, Ma$e, Lil Mama, Miguel, Lil Wayne and Diddy also were featured at the Festival yesterday. Although their performance appeared mimed, it still is amazing seeing the Duo on-stage once again.

Watch TLC perform Waterfalls at the OVO Festival:

Check-out Crooked Smile below:

(Photo/video credit: Spencer Clements/Sony Music)

#GRAMMYS: THE BLACK KEYS LEAD THE WAY WITH FOUR WINS

The Music Industry’s Who’s Who gathered at Staples Center in Los Angeles tonight for the 55th annual GRAMMY Awards. Ohio-formed Band The Black Keys came away the Evening’s top Winners with a total four Grammys tonight including Best Rock Album, El Camino and Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance with Lonely Boy. Dan Auerbach who comprises one half of the Duo, won Best Producer, Non-Classical also; prior the Band had won three Grammys.

Winning coveted Song of the Year were New York-based Newcomers  fun. featuring Janelle Monáe with their Hit Single, We Are Young. Oddsmakers at Ladbrokes nailed it, making the Tune the odds-on choice to win in the Category.  The Trio also won Best New Artist.

Australian Sensation Gotye also won big tonight for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with his massive Hit Somebody That I Used to Know (ft. Kimbra), while also taking home Best Alternative Music Album for stateside debut, Making Mirrors.  Typically, the Winner of Song of the Year wins Record of the Year, so this was a breaking of  the mold.

British Folk Sensations Mumford & Sons won Album of the Year with their Disc Babel and also, Best Long Form Music Video for Big Easy Express.  The Disc is also nominated for Album of the Year at the forthcoming BRIT Awards in their native UK.

Although she didn’t win Song of the Year with her hit What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger), a recently-engaged Kelly Clarkson wins her third Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album for her  2012 Disc, Stronger.   Equally a Powerhouse Vocalist, Adele won her ninth Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance with Set Fire to the Rain from former Album of the Year, 21.

Jay-Z and Kanye West as their Duo Watch the Throne won three Grammys for their Collaboration, N***s in Paris for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance and also No Church in the Wild (ft. Frank Ocean and The Dream) for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Ocean also won for Best Urban Contemporary Album with his Channel Orange, while Mrs. Carter herself Beyoncé, won Best Traditional R&B Performance with Love on Top. Toronto’s Drake was awarded Best Rap Album for Take Care, his sophomore effort.

American Idol Winner Carrie Underwood added two more Grammys to her collection, winning Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for Blown Away.

Check-out some of the fashion from the Grammys tonight below!  Clearly Rihanna was the Belle of the Ball in Azzedine Alaia.

 

 

 See the full list of Winners here.

 

(Photo credit: Getty Images)