The 56th annual GRAMMY Awards took place tonight at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles – Music’s Biggest Night!  The Stars came out in droves and in what was an odd, exciting Red Carpet, we saw an assortment of Helmets and Hats donned on some of the biggest names in Music including the likes of Madonna, Daft Punk, Yoko Ono and Pharrell, who lit Twitter afire with his exaggerated RCMP-like Hat. The Fashion Entrepreneur, Producer and Singer/Songwriter not only won in the Category of Best Producer (Non-Classical), but won coveted Record of the Year and also Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with his Daft Punk Collaboration, Get Lucky.

French Electronica Duo Daft Punk made only their second-ever televised Performance tonight –  a momentous Occasion with Stevie Wonder joining them and Pharrell.  What made the Night extra-special however was their huge Wins for coveted Top Honour of Album of the Year, Best Electronic/Dance Album and Best Engineered Album with their 2013 Disc, Random Access Memories. In total, they won five GRAMMYs night individually and in collaboration.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis who debuted only last year, too were the Kings of the GRAMMYs this year, sweeping the most important Rap/Hip-Hop Categories including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song (Thrift Shop), Best Rap Performance (Thrift Shop) and Best New Artist. In addition, the Duo stole the Show tonight partnering-up with Queen Latifah and Pop Legend Madonna for a much-talked-about Performance of Same Love, which saw 33 Couples of all Orientations being wed at the Event as Queen Latifah officiated the Ceremony.  Madonna then joined on-stage in a white Suit and Cowboy Hat singing the Hook to her Hit Open Your Heart.

Watch the Performance below:

Although surprisingly she wasn’t nominated for Best New Artist, shy 17-year-old New Zealand Sensation Lorde more than made-up for that with a huge win for Best Solo Pop Performance with her Hit Royals.  The Track also won coveted Song of the Year and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a huge sales boost next week for her 2013 Debut, Pure Heroine. In a succinct pair of Speeches where she seemed genuinely shocked to win, she thanked her fellow Nominees Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Sara Bareilles and Justin Timberlake for being inspirations in her own Music.  She also accepted with her Co-Writer/Producer Joel Little, letting him do most of the talking.

Katy Perry turned several heads tonight in her Valentino Dress which was adorned with Musical Notes, in addition leaving an impression with her eerie and theatrical Performance of latest Single, Dark Horse.

Taylor Swift undisputedly had the best Red Carpet Look tonight, wearing well an elegant chain-linked Gucci Dress. She performed her Track All Too Well, complete with head-thrashing, finished with a mood-appropriate pensive smirk versus her usual enthusiastic show of gratitude post-Performance. Although she wasn’t a Winner tonight, she was up in for prestigious Album of the Year with her Disc Red, released in October 2012.

Watch Swift perform All Too Well:

Canada also fared well this year at the GRAMMYs, with our own Michael Buble nabbing his fourth GRAMMY with his Disc To Be Loved in the Category of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.  Jennifer Gasoi won Best Children‘s Album with her Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well.

Perhaps the funniest thing we’ve seen all year? Oscar Nominee Jonah Hill did a bang-up job hosting Saturday Night Live last night and in addition to one of his new BFFs and The Wolf of Wall Street Co-Star Leonardo DiCaprio stealing the Show with a Titanic Re-enactment in the Intro, everyone is talking about Hill‘s Parody Sketch of Spike Jonze‘s HER.

The Video Sketch sees Hill falling in love with a CPU customized to be just like him and before he knows it, he finds himself falling in love himself. Superbad Co-Star and Buddy Michael Cera pops-up also, playing a Surrogate version of himself, making for a much happier ending than the one we see in the Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson-starring Drama in which this Parody is based.

Watch the Sketch below:

Canadians can watch Clips from last on Global Television‘s Website later today here.

(Photo/video credit: NBC)

For the second week in-a-row, Ride Along dominates the North American Box Office, earning $21.2 million for Universal Pictures. The Comedy starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, just crossed the $75-million mark domestically.

War-Action/Drama, Lone Survivor, shows no signs of stopping, in second spot with $12.6 million for eOne Films/Universal Pictures, repeating last week’s order of finish behind Ride Along. The Film starring and produced by Mark Wahlberg likely will surpass the $100-million mark later this week.

Animated Feature, The Nut Job, finds itself in third spot for Open Road Films/eOne Films with $12.3 million in its second week out.

Frozen continues to show amazing resilience just like the sub-zero temperatures we are experience, landing in fourth this weekend for Disney with $9 million in its tenth week of release.

I, Frankenstein debuts in fifth spot with $8.2 million for Lionsgate Films/eOne Films, with less-than-great Reviews at 5% on the Tomatometer and a much more forgiving B CinemaScore from Audiences.

August: Osage County continues to perform solidly in eighth spot with $5.04 million for The Weinstein Co./eOne Films, now in its fifth week out.

Oscar Contender The Wolf of Wall Street continues to benefit from its Awards buzz, in ninth this weekend with $5 million for Paramount Pictures.

Rounding-out the Top Ten is Devil’s Due from 20th Century Fox, with $2.7 million.

“Real speed, real action.”.

Car Enthusiasts must check-out this fascinating Featurette from upcoming Blockbuster NEED FOR SPEED. The Live-Action Feature from Director Scott Waugh starring Aaron Paul, required 15 custom-built Supercars created in less than six months. Car Manufacturer FORD  became involved with the Film, helping recreate a Mustang based on the 2013 Model, Shelby GT500,  after legendary Race Car Driver turned Designer Caroll Shelby had passed away in 2012.

Official Synopsis:

NEED FOR SPEED tells a story of honor, friendship and loyalty and the high-octane journey of one Man looking to clear his name. For Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), who runs his family’s Auto Shop and races the underground street circuit with his buddies on weekends, life is good. But his whole world is turned upside down when he is sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

In prison, he spends the next two years thinking about one thing: vengeance. His best chance at defeating his Enemy, Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper), is the high-stakes Car Race known as De Leon. The Super Bowl of Underground Racing, De Leon takes place once a year and only a few select Drivers are invited to participate with the winner taking all. While questioning the morals to which he has always adhered, he is nevertheless determined to bring down his enemies…no matter what the cost.

Watch the brand new Featurette:

Great news, Toronto!  The 2014 Canadian Screen Awards are soon set to take place and this is your chance to be involved and  meet some Stars!

In celebration of the Awards, Fans will have the chance to vote in the Category of Fan’s Choice Award for their favourite Canadian Screen Star  and they can do so here!  The Winner will be unveiled Awards Night.

If that wasn’t awesome enough, Fans also will get a chance to meet some Stars at Toronto’s Eaton Centre on Saturday, March 8, 2014 where a FANZONE will be set-up. Get some Autographs, ask for a Photo Mr. Will-Style! Although the time is still yet to be confirmed, you can follow The Academy  here on Twitter.  Complete List of Names to appear are here.

Lastly, you can register now to attend the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards. It’s absolutely free and you can sign-up here.  Don’t be shy.  What more exciting could you be doing that night?

Official Artwork:

The 2014 Canadian Screen Awards, hosted by Martin Short, take place Sunday, March 9, 2014, airing 8:00 PM EST on CBC.

(Photo credit: Touchwood PR/Mr. Will Wong)

Glassy-eyed and smiling, the first official Mugshot following fallen Teen Pop Star Justin Bieber has been released following his arrest late last night in Miami for Driving Under the Influence and Drag Racing.  Bieber later admitted after his incoherent arrest, that he had been intoxicated with a combination of Marijuana, Alcohol and Prescription Pills.

Bieber with his offences could face up to six months in prison, although we’re unsure if he’s aware of the seriousness of his actions or if he’s at all remorseful about the potential danger he could’ve caused to others.

Bieber‘s Arrest Report:

Much speculation has been made about Bieber‘s bankability, recently announcing on a whim that he would be retiring from Music soon via Twitter.  Support from Bieber‘s Fanbase also appears to be dwindling.  By comparison, his last Documentary, Never Say Never grossed over $99 million worldwide.  His Christmas-released Documentary Believe, to date has earned only $6 million internationally.

In the bigger picture perhaps, we should be asking the all-important question, where are the Singer’s Parents Jeremy Bieber and Patti Mallette in all of this?

The former is busy inspiring his two-million-plus Followers on Twitter to “lead by example”:

The latter is busy currently launching her own Blog and aspiring to win a Kids’ Choice Award:

19 years old certainly is not too old to be told.  Inasmuch as it isn’t nice to criticize others’ parenting skills or blame them for Bieber‘s missteps, stepping-in and intervening is much needed right now before matters further take a turn for the worse.  Racing along the road of Fame  comes with great glamour and perks, but it is important to remember the expensive costs to be paid. We all want to see Bieber do well but getting there means being surrounded by people who have his back and that should mean first and foremost his Family.

Put aside the Blog for now Pattie and lead your own Son by example yourself, Jeremy.  Family first.

(Photo credit: Miami Dade Police Department)

Already a Smash Hit in Australia, Canada’s next Breakout Act MAGIC! are set to do huge things! Their Reggae-infused debut Single Rude already is making a splash on our Airwaves, peaking in the Top 20 on the Canadian Hot 100. A perfect mixture of catchy Pop and Musical Substance.

Lead Vocalist Nasri, had a bit of a Solo Career going on with a couple Tracks in rotation of MuchMoreMusic a few years back, and he’s responsible for having co-written some of Justin Bieber‘s biggest Hits. And might I add, I know one of the Band Members personally having gigged with handsome Guitarist Mark Pelli back in the day!

Check-out the amazing Rude below:

Cannot wait to hear more!

Download MAGIC!‘s Rude on iTunes here.

“Like” MAGIC! on Facebook here.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Music Canada)

Full House honestly is the gift that just keeps on giving! Just when we thought that Reunion was never going to happen, right in-time for the Super Bowl, Dannon managed to bring the Face of the Yogurt Brand, John Stamos, together with his Co-Stars Bob Saget and Dave Coulier once again. And lucky us, we get to see a little Teaser!

It seems the Yogurt Maker is trying to appeal to Men, playing-up the Bromance angle  in its latest Campaign.  More on that here.

Watch the Teaser Commercial below:

The NFL Super Bowl XLVIII airs Sunday, February 2, 2014, aka when we’ll finally get to see this Full Commercial!

(Photo/video credit: Dannon)

Although the 2014 Thoroughbred Meet at Woodbine Racetrack doesn’t begin for another three months, the Jockey Club of Canada earlier today announced its very best in Horse Racing in 2013. The Sovereign Awards, which honour Canadian Champions in the Sport, are set to take place on Friday, April 11, 2014.

With Finalists for coveted Horse of the Year yet to be determined, as they will be selected based on Winners that night, I must say it could be a contentious Battle! Forte dei Marmi  was amazing for much of the Season and will be up against the hard-fighting Up With the Birds who did amazing against top-class Competition in the U.S.  Ria Antonia, might not have been remarkable at Woodbine where she started her Career earlier last year, but she went-on to win the super-important Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Dirt in California, a Feat never accomplished before by a Canadian-based Filly.

Nominees this year in all non-Media Categories include:

Champion Two-Year-Old Filly
Lexie Lou
On Rainbow Bridge
Paladin Bay
Ria Antonia

Champion Two-Year-Old Male
Ami’s Holiday
Asserting Bear
Go Greeley
Jose Sea View

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly
Coffee Clique
Leigh Court
Nipissing
Overheard

Champion Three-Year-Old Male
Five Iron
Midnight Aria
River Seven
Up With the Birds

Champion Older Female
Madeira Park
Moonlit Beauty
Part the Seas
Sisterly Love

Champion Older Male
Alpha Bettor
Delegation
Herbie D
Ultimate Destiny

Champion Turf Female
Leigh Court
Overheard
Part the Seas
Solid Appeal

Champion Turf Male
Forte Dei Marmi (GB)
Phil’s Dream
River Seven
Up With the Birds

Champion Female Sprinter
Goldstryke Glory
Leigh Court
Part the Seas
Youcan’tcatchme

Champion Male Sprinter
Bear No Joke
Essence Hit Man
Herbie D
Phil’s Dream

Outstanding Broodmare
Captivating
Galadriel
Shebandowana
Star Guest

Outstanding Breeder
Adena Springs
Chiefswood Stables Ltd.
William D. Graham
Sam-Son Farm

Outstanding Owner
Bear Stables Ltd.
John C. Oxley
Sam-Son Farms
Tucci Stables

Outstanding Trainer
Reade Baker
Mark Casse
Nicholas Gonzalez
Malcolm Pierce

Outstanding Apprentice Jockey
Skye Chernetz
Amie Pooli
Sheena Ryan
Tommy Wong

Outstanding Jockey
Luis Contreras
Eurico Da Silva
Justin Stein
Rico Walcott

We’re incredibly thrilled again to be a part of the Awards this year and even more excited for the 2014 Thoroughbred Racing Season to begin on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Woodbine Racetrack! We wish the Nominees all the best and can’t wait to celebrate!

For those interested in attending, more details on this and the Awards are here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

In conjunction with Black History Month, the second Edition of the Toronto Black Film Festival runs from Tuesday, February 11 – 16, 2014.   The Festival celebrates Diversity in the Black Communities through Special Events and Films and in addition to commemorating the memory of iconic Nelson Mandela, it celebrates the 20th year of Democracy in South Africa.  A Series of Short Films from South African are slated to pay tribute to Mandela.

Stedman Graham, who many of us will recognize as being the longtime Partner of Oprah Winfrey, brings some starpower to the Festival, the Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author and Speaker holding a Conference at TIFF Bell Lightbox on Thursday, February 13, 2014 called The Nine-Step Plan for Success.  One of Nelson Mandela‘s favourite Singers, Lorraine Klaasen is set to perform a Concert at Al Green Theatre and also, Author Robert H. King, who spent 32 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, also will be speaking at the Festival.

The Festival was launched today at Carlton Cinemas and a List of Films to screen this year were unveiled including The Forgotten Kingdom (Opening Film), The Retrieval (Closing Film), Blue Caprice (for which we ran a Giveaway!), Angels in Exile (narrated by Charlize Theron),  Haiti Untold (features Sean Penn) and several, several more.

For more about the Toronto Black Film Festival, founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global Toronto, click here.

Some Snaps from today’s Launch including Global‘s Leslie Roberts:

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Toronto Black Film Festival)