- Best Pop Video: Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"
- Best Rock Video: The Black Keys' "Howlin' For You"
- Best Hip-hop Video: Chris Brown/Busta Rhymes/Lil' Wayne's "Look
At Me Now" - Best Female Video: Nicki Minaj - "Super Bass"
- Best Male Video: Cee-Lo Green - "F*** You"
- Best Collaboration: Kanye/Rihanna - "All of the Lights" (sort of a runner-up hip-hop)
- Best Art Direction: Death Cab For Cutie - "You Are A Tourist"
- Best Choreography: LMFAO/GoonRock/Lauren Bennett - "Party Rock Anthem"
- Best Cinematography: Eminem/Rihanna - "Love the Way You Lie"
- Best Direction: Beastie Boys - "Make Some Noise"
- Best Editing: Adele - "Rolling in the Deep"
- Best Special Effects: Kanye/Katy Perry - "E.T." (winning this was the point of this song)
Showing posts with label Cee-Lo Green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cee-Lo Green. Show all posts
7/22/11
VMA Nominations & Voting
Nominated for 'Best New Artist' and 'Video of the Year', I finally have an excuse to post Tyler the Creator's self-directed "Yonkers". In other categories, I am also opinionated:
2/16/11
Grammy Rundown
For anyone who didn't watch the 53rd Grammy Awards this year, here's a quick recap of the show with commentary by yours truly:
Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera, and Florence Welch of Florence & the Machine kicked things off with a tribute to Aretha Franklin, who was present via video in drastically slimmed-down post-surgery shape. Christina sang her heart out, no doubt to make up for her Super Bowl lyric-forgetting fiasco, and managed to distract me from the fact that Florence Welch always looks like a transvestite for the majority of the performance.
Lady Gaga underwhelmed with the premiere of her latest song "Born This Way", which she would later gush that she imagined Whitney Houston singing it while writing because it was too good for her. False body modifications just don't cut it for over-the-top after the public spectacle she has been for the past couple years.
Justin Bieber amazingly did not ruin Usher's performance of "OMG" with what appeared to be their overly-complex secret handshake, singing less than Mr. Raymond got to on the same number at the Super Bowl. Fortunately the tween idol didn't win anything, so we all owe a deep debt of gratitude to Esperanza Spalding for having awesome hair, an awesome voice, playing upright bass, and being able to do all three at once. Katy Perry held it down with a ballad before hit "Teenage Dream", and Norah Jones, Keith Urban, and John Mayer did a wonderful version of "Jolene". Eminem's much-hyped performance with Dr. Dre and Rihanna was augmented by backing vocals from Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Skylar Grey (who you may remember as Holly Brook from "Where'd You Go", but apparently wrote "Love the Way You Lie" and is featured on "Coming Home"). The hip-hop party took a break for the escapees from the old-folks home to do their thing, then came back with a vengeance as Drake tried his best to leer at and hump Rihanna in convincing fashion for anti-Chris-Brown benefit.
Country outfit Lady Antebellum gathered a ton of awards for "Need You Now", an inexplicably romantic-sounding ode to booty calls that has been all over the airwaves. Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Country Song of the Year, Country Album of the Year... all I'm thinking is that we better watch out for a swell in the number of redneck children born 9 months from now.
All this, however, was merely a distraction from the fact that this was the year of the hipster at the Grammys, with Arcade Fire performing twice and taking home Album of the Year, performances by Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers with Bob Dylan, who could not have cared less how hip they were when the accordion failed to cut off at his gesture. The trio of Janelle Monae [show review here], B.O.B., and Bruno Mars ensured that the more urban-oriented American Apparel shoppers would enjoy it all too, as did Muse for the rockers, and Cee-Lo Green outdid Gaga at her own game. They've arrived, ladies and gentlemen. And judging by Danger Mouse's win for Producer of the Year, they aren't going anywhere, either.
Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera, and Florence Welch of Florence & the Machine kicked things off with a tribute to Aretha Franklin, who was present via video in drastically slimmed-down post-surgery shape. Christina sang her heart out, no doubt to make up for her Super Bowl lyric-forgetting fiasco, and managed to distract me from the fact that Florence Welch always looks like a transvestite for the majority of the performance.
Lady Gaga underwhelmed with the premiere of her latest song "Born This Way", which she would later gush that she imagined Whitney Houston singing it while writing because it was too good for her. False body modifications just don't cut it for over-the-top after the public spectacle she has been for the past couple years.
Justin Bieber amazingly did not ruin Usher's performance of "OMG" with what appeared to be their overly-complex secret handshake, singing less than Mr. Raymond got to on the same number at the Super Bowl. Fortunately the tween idol didn't win anything, so we all owe a deep debt of gratitude to Esperanza Spalding for having awesome hair, an awesome voice, playing upright bass, and being able to do all three at once. Katy Perry held it down with a ballad before hit "Teenage Dream", and Norah Jones, Keith Urban, and John Mayer did a wonderful version of "Jolene". Eminem's much-hyped performance with Dr. Dre and Rihanna was augmented by backing vocals from Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Skylar Grey (who you may remember as Holly Brook from "Where'd You Go", but apparently wrote "Love the Way You Lie" and is featured on "Coming Home"). The hip-hop party took a break for the escapees from the old-folks home to do their thing, then came back with a vengeance as Drake tried his best to leer at and hump Rihanna in convincing fashion for anti-Chris-Brown benefit.
Country outfit Lady Antebellum gathered a ton of awards for "Need You Now", an inexplicably romantic-sounding ode to booty calls that has been all over the airwaves. Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Country Song of the Year, Country Album of the Year... all I'm thinking is that we better watch out for a swell in the number of redneck children born 9 months from now.
All this, however, was merely a distraction from the fact that this was the year of the hipster at the Grammys, with Arcade Fire performing twice and taking home Album of the Year, performances by Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers with Bob Dylan, who could not have cared less how hip they were when the accordion failed to cut off at his gesture. The trio of Janelle Monae [show review here], B.O.B., and Bruno Mars ensured that the more urban-oriented American Apparel shoppers would enjoy it all too, as did Muse for the rockers, and Cee-Lo Green outdid Gaga at her own game. They've arrived, ladies and gentlemen. And judging by Danger Mouse's win for Producer of the Year, they aren't going anywhere, either.
12/25/10
Merry Christmas: The Best Dance Tracks of 2010
My criteria: I must have actually played this out at least once this year and it must have come out this year. Other than that it is purely subjective.
Originals:
1. Magic - B.O.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo
I've been following B.O.B. ever since I heard his dark, Beatles-sampling club anthem "Lonely People" a couple years ago, so when he not only blew up but dropped a single this addictive featuring Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, I lost my mind.
2. All I Do Is Win - DJ Khaled featuring Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, and T-Pain
My love of T-Pain overcame my hatred of Khaled on this one, helped along by an insane Luda verse and a way-too-easy pause right before the hook to build dancefloor anticipation. Rick Ross keeps pace on his big year, and Snoop builds on his new strategy of dropping great albums no one listens to while keeping in the spotlight with throwaway guest verses.
3. F*** You - Cee-Lo Green
Watching the eccentric Cee-Lo come into his own over the years with Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley has been fun, and Motown-inspired production and a catchy Bruno Mars-penned hook provide the perfect counterpoint to his vocal. Post-breakup sendoffs should not sound this epic.
4. Blah Blah Blah - Ke$ha feat. 3oh!3
The two most-annoying-to-type artists in America convinced me with their domination of dancefloors in the UK. My Warped-Tour-kids-who-party friends put me up on 3oh!3 back in the day, and I've bumped every Benny Blanco beat since Bangers & Cash. Plus, it's interesting hearing hip-hop's overt gender roles flipped for once.
5. W.T.P. - Eminem
The concession to old Eminem on the recovered Eminem's album, this song is an anthem that will unfortunately never be a hit. Lines like "if your bellybutton's not an innie then I'm outtie" remind us why we liked Eminem in the first place while we warm up for what is sure to be an epic white trash party.
Remixes:
1. Forever [Nero Remix] - Drake featuring Eminem, Kanye West, and Lil' Wayne
One of the definitive posse cuts gets the dubstep-lite treatment, switching up the order to get Em's return to form in earlier. The only way this could have been better is the inclusion of Kardinal's verse from the original mixtape version. It does manage to squeeze in the ubiquitous Degrassi star, the most infamous tweeter, and everyone's favorite recently released convict.
2. Bottoms Up [Emynd Atlanta Bass Remix] - Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj
Gotta get Nicki in here somewhere, and where better than on a party anthem that needed a bump up in tempo. Trey has had a big year (notice him farther down) and I always love Emynd's work; I spent my 21st birthday at his monthly The Bounce putting a few too many bottoms up. Trey & Nicki "Bottoms Up (Emynd Atlanta Bass Remix)" by Emynd
3. Last Night [Kolstrom Remix] - Peter Bjorn and John
A kid I met in Paris who was also spending a semester abroad in England picked up more than just a taste of dubstep; he got the skills for it too. Whenever I want explain dubstep to someone, I play Caspa, Rusko, Flying Lotus, Skream, and this. It helps out that almost no one has heard it, so they're all shocked when the huge drop comes in on an otherwise mellow PB&J track.
Peter Bjorn and John - Last Night (Kolstrom Remix) by kolstrom
4. Dancing with the DJ [Chiddy Bang Remix] - The Knocks
I came across this prepping for the KNO Clothing launch party, and I love the indie disco feel of the O.G. Knocks track, Chiddy, and his take on it. Chiddy has been everywhere this year (including a show at Messiah), with spot on production and remixing by Xaphoon Jones. I'd love to include "Pass Out" but I haven't dropped it live yet so it doesn't fit the criteria.
Chiddy Bang - Dancing With The DJ (Remix) f/ The Knocks by Pretty Much Amazing
5. Say Ah [Emynd Edit featuring Reef the Lost Cauze] - Trey Songz
Trey again, this time with my favorite underground rapper, Reef the Lost Cauze, courtesy of Emynd (again). This song was just a bit too catchy, got overplayed, and then the opportunity to showcase some local Philly talent let me bring it back into sets. Emynd does a great job cleaning it up, at least compared to the version on Reef's recent Raiders of the Lost Art tape. Trey Songz "Say Ah" (Emynd Edit ft Reef The Lost Cauze" by Emynd
Originals:
1. Magic - B.O.B. featuring Rivers Cuomo
I've been following B.O.B. ever since I heard his dark, Beatles-sampling club anthem "Lonely People" a couple years ago, so when he not only blew up but dropped a single this addictive featuring Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, I lost my mind.
2. All I Do Is Win - DJ Khaled featuring Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, and T-Pain
My love of T-Pain overcame my hatred of Khaled on this one, helped along by an insane Luda verse and a way-too-easy pause right before the hook to build dancefloor anticipation. Rick Ross keeps pace on his big year, and Snoop builds on his new strategy of dropping great albums no one listens to while keeping in the spotlight with throwaway guest verses.
3. F*** You - Cee-Lo Green
Watching the eccentric Cee-Lo come into his own over the years with Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley has been fun, and Motown-inspired production and a catchy Bruno Mars-penned hook provide the perfect counterpoint to his vocal. Post-breakup sendoffs should not sound this epic.
4. Blah Blah Blah - Ke$ha feat. 3oh!3
The two most-annoying-to-type artists in America convinced me with their domination of dancefloors in the UK. My Warped-Tour-kids-who-party friends put me up on 3oh!3 back in the day, and I've bumped every Benny Blanco beat since Bangers & Cash. Plus, it's interesting hearing hip-hop's overt gender roles flipped for once.
5. W.T.P. - Eminem
The concession to old Eminem on the recovered Eminem's album, this song is an anthem that will unfortunately never be a hit. Lines like "if your bellybutton's not an innie then I'm outtie" remind us why we liked Eminem in the first place while we warm up for what is sure to be an epic white trash party.
Remixes:
1. Forever [Nero Remix] - Drake featuring Eminem, Kanye West, and Lil' Wayne
One of the definitive posse cuts gets the dubstep-lite treatment, switching up the order to get Em's return to form in earlier. The only way this could have been better is the inclusion of Kardinal's verse from the original mixtape version. It does manage to squeeze in the ubiquitous Degrassi star, the most infamous tweeter, and everyone's favorite recently released convict.
2. Bottoms Up [Emynd Atlanta Bass Remix] - Trey Songz featuring Nicki Minaj
Gotta get Nicki in here somewhere, and where better than on a party anthem that needed a bump up in tempo. Trey has had a big year (notice him farther down) and I always love Emynd's work; I spent my 21st birthday at his monthly The Bounce putting a few too many bottoms up. Trey & Nicki "Bottoms Up (Emynd Atlanta Bass Remix)" by Emynd
3. Last Night [Kolstrom Remix] - Peter Bjorn and John
A kid I met in Paris who was also spending a semester abroad in England picked up more than just a taste of dubstep; he got the skills for it too. Whenever I want explain dubstep to someone, I play Caspa, Rusko, Flying Lotus, Skream, and this. It helps out that almost no one has heard it, so they're all shocked when the huge drop comes in on an otherwise mellow PB&J track.
Peter Bjorn and John - Last Night (Kolstrom Remix) by kolstrom
4. Dancing with the DJ [Chiddy Bang Remix] - The Knocks
I came across this prepping for the KNO Clothing launch party, and I love the indie disco feel of the O.G. Knocks track, Chiddy, and his take on it. Chiddy has been everywhere this year (including a show at Messiah), with spot on production and remixing by Xaphoon Jones. I'd love to include "Pass Out" but I haven't dropped it live yet so it doesn't fit the criteria.
Chiddy Bang - Dancing With The DJ (Remix) f/ The Knocks by Pretty Much Amazing
5. Say Ah [Emynd Edit featuring Reef the Lost Cauze] - Trey Songz
Trey again, this time with my favorite underground rapper, Reef the Lost Cauze, courtesy of Emynd (again). This song was just a bit too catchy, got overplayed, and then the opportunity to showcase some local Philly talent let me bring it back into sets. Emynd does a great job cleaning it up, at least compared to the version on Reef's recent Raiders of the Lost Art tape. Trey Songz "Say Ah" (Emynd Edit ft Reef The Lost Cauze" by Emynd
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