Top Grammy nomination earners Beyonce, Taylor Swift and the Black Eyed Peas will be performing at the 52nd Grammy Awards in Los Angeles January 31, it was announced Tuesday.
Other nominees Lady Antebellum, with two nods, and Maxwell, with six, will also hit the stage.
Can’t wait!
It’s twenty degrees in New York, and there are dozens of people sleeping in front of Nokia Theatre in Times Square.
If you’ve been reading the news over the last year, you might be surprised to learn that those people are camped out to see Chris Brown, the 20-year old R&B singer who infamously attacked ex-girlfriend Rihanna following a Grammy’s pre-party back in February.
Brown issued a public apology following the incident, pleaded guilty to a felony assault, and eight months later announced a “Fan Appreciation Tour,” in which a portion of profits benefit domestic violence and disability organizations. But those efforts have come second to a maelstrom of backlash.
Almost immediately, radio stations stopped playing Brown’s music. Brown was forced to withdraw from several high-profile performances, including one at the 2009 Grammy’s. And a photo of Rihanna’s injuries that leaked post-incident triggered everything from domestic violence group outrage to verbal attacks to Brown at his events.
Tuesday’s show, ten months after the attack, had a sold-out audience of 2,100. That group was comprised mostly of teenage girls – some joined by parents, others with friends – but nearly all sporting some type of sign.
“Chris, We Want You To Take Us Down,” one poster read, a reference to single “Take You Down,” off of 2007’s Exclusive.
When Brown gets onstage, it’s no wonder why the fans lined up. Brown is beyond talented: vocally, choreographically; he even performs a spot-on cover of Michael Jackson‘s “Rock With You” and dances seamlessly through “Thriller.” But when I talk to the crowd, one thing is constant.
“I wouldn’t buy his album,” one girl says, when I ask if she’s a Chris Brown fan.
“The man or the music?” asks another.
“If he didn’t hit her, he’d be playing Madison Square Garden tonight,” says yet another attendee.
The fans – though present in droves – are closeted. They love Brown’s music, but they don’t love his person.
Chris Brown is not the first musician with a history of domestic violence (see Bobby Brown, Ike Turner), but you can’t help but notice how much their mistakes have staggered their potential.
Brown took the crowd through two hours of music – everything from 2008’s “Forever” to first single “Run It!” to “Back to the Crib” featuring a cameo by Juelz Santana.
“Where all my single ladies at?” Brown asked the crowd, adding, “You know your boy’s single too.”
Yeah, we know, this writer thought. We also know why.
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of Chris Brown’s music. I used to joke with friends that if you don’t enjoy “No Air,” you might not have a soul. But his actions, as unbiased as a reporter should be, have certainly influenced my opinion of him. You can hit every high note and nail your dance routine, but in my mind, there will always be a scarlet letter on Chris Brown’s forehead.
Can you ever truly divorce the man from the music?
-PI
Beyonce earned a whopping 10 nominations at the Grammy nomination telecast from Los Angeles Wednesday night!
Taylor Swift was not too far behind with eight nominations.
Poison Ivy favorite Lady GaGa earned herself a not-surprising five Grammy nominations, while R&B crooner Maxwell earned a less expected six nominations.
“I’ve been gone for eight years,” Maxwell commented. “I’ve been throwing out my trash, buying my milk and living in basic obscurity.”
Black Eyed Peas are on the board with six nominations, including Record of the Year for “I Gotta Feeling,” new rapper Drake earned two nominations, and Kanye West earned six nominations – all for collaborations with other artists.
Don’t forget to watch the show – live from L.A.’s Staples Center on January 31!
“The Stevie Wonder thing at the Grammys really sent me over the edge. I mean, that poor guy had no idea who he was performing with.”
–Chelsea Handler, on the Jonas Brothers Grammys duet with Stevie Wonder
In the wake of her Grammy win for Best Pop Vocal Album last week, Duffy is slammed with appearances these days!!!
Did anyone watch the trainwreck that was Kim Kardashian during yesterday’s Grammys Pre-Show???
E! News is reporting that Chris Brown was arrested around 7 p.m. Sunday night, on suspicion of making threats and using violence against his girlfriend, R&B singer Rihanna.
Woulda been awesome, but M.I.A.‘s water did not break onstage during her Grammys performance tonight.
You’ve got to hand it to Jennifer Hudson, who choked up following an extremely powerful performance of “You Pulled Me Through” featuring a gospel choir at the Grammys tonight.
Beating out Coldplay, Radiohead, Ne-Yo and Lil Wayne, Led Zeppelin‘s Robert Plant & country queen Alison Krauss took home the night’s highest honors with the Album of the Year Grammy.
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