GRAMMY SNUBS & OTHER SHUNS

The Truth Behind The Music

(As many of you know I am one to speak my mind on various subjects that I find to be Unjust or Debatable at best! My thoughts in no way are the viewpoint of the culture but I felt led to share my thoughts Nonethless! Excuse typos, grammar, and syntax errors.) 

So that brings me to the 2014 Grammy's that have been anticipated for quite sometime and were held on yesterday Jan 26th. Needless to say many Rap/Hip Hop Fans and Industry players were left with a "Salty" taste in their mouths! No pun intended. But, having a group like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis win all the RAP AWARDS over the likes of Legends Jay-Z & Kanye, and over new school leaders like Drake & Kendrick is a travesty. This bothers me. Not because they are white alone, but because Rap is an art form that has very unique parameters and many undocumented norms. You must pay your dues, not an option it's a must!

For instance we have to as a culture feel your music and hear your music in small venues, dark stages, and clubs we frequent to get excited and spread your music by word of mouth. We like to latch on to new artist and watch their movement . For instance I literally have seen Kendrick Lamar perform 7 times over the past 4 years. Each time he reached a new level of success and became bigger and bigger "organically". First ticket was $10 for a show at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA, next on Tour with Dom Kennedy, then Wiz Khalifa, then Drake all the way to him performing and touring with Kanye on the Yeezus Tour where tickets were $110 on average. Point being I as well as many "Rap" fans were able to see him grow Into the outstanding rapper and performer he is now. We saw him grow to the point of building his brand, name, all while delivery an EPIC ALBUM Entitled "Good Kid, Maad City!" Same with Drake who is also half white, Kanye & of course Jay-Z. 

They have all went through the proper channels and right of passages if you will, to gaining our respect as artist. Not sure exactly how Grammy Panel & Board is selected besides what I've read on their official Website. However, giving a group/duo like Macklemore & Ryan Lewis who in the RAP CULTURE I just spoke about are rookies and unknown for paying any dues to get such a prestigious award in our category. Has nothing to do with being "White", despite popular belief and how White people will probably try to spin our displeasure with their 4 Grammy Award Winning Night in Rap Categories. It's not a white/black thing it's a WHATS RIGHT THING!!! Because artist like Eminem who have also won these same awards we supported because we could identify with his music because we were familiar with his story and saw his growth as a musician and grew with him. And the Rap Culture Respected him for that.

But, Macklemore seemingly got big on a gimmick of promoting "Gay Marriage" and then dropping a song that correlates to that ever so growing crowd of supporters and then created/purchased a very easy to listen to and digest POP Song with 2 simple rap versus on it and were able to ride that success in winning 1) Best New Artist Grammy 2) Best Rap Performance Grammy 3) Best Rap Song Grammy 4) Best Rap Album Grammy | I don't have a problem with the Gay Community nor the ones who believe they should be able to get married. I just honestly believe that their political stance was a spring board for the MEDIA ATTENTION AND FUTURE success OF MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS. 

I do not have issue with them as people, I just think even their Album title/name "The Heist" was exactly what their album had become. A highway robbery done before our eyes to show us whom really is in control of the music. 

It was a masterful plan, but back to the point at hand. I think in 2014 more than any year I've seen in the past we had many many great Albums by both young/hungry Artist, as well as Legendary Artist trying to pave new sounds and messages in the craft of Rap! 

1) good kid, m.A.A.d. city ~ Kendrick Lamar 

2) Magna Carta Holy Grail ~ Jay-Z 

3) Yeezus ~ Kanye West

4) Nothing Was The Same ~ Drake

5) Born Sinner ~ JCole 

All were exemplary Albums and we should be very proud to have had their albums bless our culture. No award should make us feel less as a people or as artists. Continue to spread Love, spread Opportunities to your fellow brother, and most importantly SUPPORT EACH OTHERS CRAFT. 

PS | This is why I think we have to start taking our smaller up & coming Award Shows more seriously! Dressing Better, Better Production, etc... Take it very seriously, especially the "BET Awards" (not the hip hop awards) but the BET Awards which is our best of the best in all the Arts, Film, Television and Music needs to be taken with more seriousness and class. 

~ Be Blessed!

G6

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