By JZ

February 18, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

Whinney spoiled brats can’t take losing to another…..grow up! You aren’t the only artists around.

By JZ

February 18, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

These baby artists need to realize the awards are for BEST……..not biggest sales.

Top grossing “shoot-em-up” movies rarely win Oscars, even theugh they are top grossing movies. The awards are for ACTING and SCRIPT, not $$$

Take note Kayne and India, or any other who thinks they are bigger than the awards….Quality not Quantity.

Herbie Hancock is QUALITY…..the Album “REHAB” was QUALITY…..

Boycott if you want, but don’t let the door hit your backside on the way out.

By JZ

February 18, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Natlie needs to be quiet! If artists needed “to clean up before getting awards’, then FEW except Tony Bennett would win.

MOST are dope heads of some sort. We wouldn’t have had ANY of the 60’s-70’s music then, most was written & performed on drugs…..

By Voiceofreason

February 18, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

Both India Arie and Musiq Soulchild are no-talent hacks and I guess Natalie Cole is just upset that she actually had to STOP snorting coke before they gave her an award. Oh well, your career is over now, feel free to go back to the crack.

By Grammy Voter

February 18, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

This commentary is extremely offensive. What right do you have to question the decisions of the Grammy voters? If you have a problem with who wins the awards, then get the proper credentials and become a voter yourself. Grammy voters are held to a high standard and required to judge each nominee by a certain criteria in a process that is very singular and private. Grammy voters are not influenced by record companies, agents, artists, or other voters. Sonia, you need to get a grip and realize that the world extends far beyond you and your personal likes as well as the likes and dislikes of those around the city.

By TEE

February 18, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

The grammy is full of it!!! The votes are not from the peoople who buys the music. It’s the record labels celebrating itself.

By RobBennett

February 18, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

Sonia, I am so tired of your bias “journalism” and I use that term lightly, is it possible that you could write about something non hip hop or R&B…and could you possibly mention a non rapper in a favorable light rather than taking every opportunity snipe…how did you get your job and better yet how do you keep it?

By Grammy Voter

February 18, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

This commentary is extremely offensive. What right do you have to question the decisions of the Grammy voters? If you have a problem with who wins the awards, then get the proper credentials and become a voter yourself. Grammy voters are held to a high standard and required to judge each nominee by a certain criteria in a process that is very singular and private. Grammy voters are not influenced by record companies, agents, artists, or other voters. Sonia, you need to get a grip and realize that the world extends far beyond you and your personal likes as well as the likes and dislikes of those around the city.

By Grammy Voter

February 18, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

This commentary is extremely offensive. What right do you have to question the decisions of the Grammy voters? If you have a problem with who wins the awards, then get the proper credentials and become a voter yourself. Grammy voters are held to a high standard and required to judge each nominee by a certain criteria in a process that is very singular and private. Grammy voters are not influenced by record companies, agents, artists, or other voters. Sonia, you need to get a grip and realize that the world extends far beyond you and your personal likes as well as the likes and dislikes of those around the city.

By Roc-a-fella

February 18, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Ha! The Grammys are a fraud like all of these other major awards shows. I have a friend of the family that votes on the Emmys and the Oscars. Honestly, he never, ever votes on them. He gives the ballot to his daughter to vote. How’s that for a rigorous and strenuous process to become a voter? I’m sure that Grammys work the same way.

I agree wholly-heartedly with Sonia. If the few old coots that actually do vote on the Grammys were to take their heads out of their grammophone and give hip-hop its due, Kanye West would’ve won Record of the Year. You might not like the guy, heck, I don’t like him at times, but his work is brilliant. I challenge you to listen to the words and the way the lines come together. I’ll put him and several other hip-hop artist against some of the worlds most renowned poets and bet they would stand their own.

Anywho, Chaka Khan’s win is a joke. She can barely keep her breath on stage. Herbie Hancock’s win is a joke. Love live REAL hip-hop! (not these jigga-boo clowns like Souljah boy).

By Get Real People!

February 18, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

It is soooooooooo obvious that Amy Winehouse was as high as a kite the night of the Grammys. She did NOT deserve the awards she won! The Grammys should NEVER award a dope head and Amy Winehouse is a huge dope head!!!! She did not deserve that award period!!! She NEEDS REHAB REALLY BAD!!!! JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS AMY!!! JUST SAY NO!!!

By JZ

February 18, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Kanye “I am so full of myself” West needed to lose to deflate some of that ego of his.

The young punk stars need to respect their elders, not diss them. Beyonce dissing the REAL Queen Aretha, now some want to diss Chaka and Herbie…….pay four dues young punks then you will be respected instead of demanding respect.

By jB

February 18, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Get a clue-the Grammy’s are rigged by the record companies.

How do I know? I’ve been in the music biz for 25 years and I get a ballot (at least I had a ballot until the boss took it away and sent it to his boss so they could fill it out for me.)

And why do you think the ASO wins all those classical grammies? A long time ago somebody at the ASO got smart and registered all the the musicians in the orchestra with NARAS. And guess who they vote for?

Wise up.

JB

By PObird

February 18, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

I can care less about an artist’s personal life. If the music is good, then that all I care about. Winehouse’s CD gets more play on my IPOD than just about anything.

By Music expert

February 18, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

Maybe India needs to tuck tail and run back to the righteous Rev Louis Farrakhan..Too bad she can’t turn this into a racial thing..That is her usual answer for her problems..

By AM

February 18, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

JZ, you make no sense at all how in the world do think Rehad has some Quality. The girl is a junky and she has not style, please get off of this message board and don’t comback until you take some music lesson or fix you tone death ear.

By LaShun

February 18, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

The Grammys are a joke!

By Nina

February 18, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this

What a generation of sore losers. Too bad Kanye didn’t stay home and eat bon bons too.

By JZ's Boss

February 18, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

JZ…could you please get back to work? We are watching you.

By Naffy

February 18, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

Natalie Cole has a whole lot of nerve.

By love my Brazilian wife

February 18, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

The music these days SUCKS. I listen to classic rock and not to the crap being created by Amy “winestore” Whinehouse and Kanye’s cRAP music. I say screw ‘em all. They’re a bunch of no class, no talent individuals anyway. I’ll say this though, at least India Arie has talent,can sing and her music is really good.

By shaka

February 18, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

I wish people would read with a open mind. Goodness, Sonia is a music CRITIC, she is doing her job. I’m a journalist and a fan of her work. Lets appreciate her doing her job and read with open minds.

By r&b

February 18, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a fan of music since 1965. I’ve been a fan of Chaka’s since 1974. Chaka should not have won her award for r&b album of the year. IMO, “Funk This” is her worst album to date, and again I am a Chaka fan. As for Amy Winehouse, I simply can’t get into her music. Nothing about her album makes me think of retro-soul. I just wonder if Herbie won because of the Joni Mitchell connection. I simply can’t see that album winning Album of the Year.

By md

February 18, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this

Ok - errr — why is this such an “aha!” moment for India? We’ve all known for YEARS that the Grammys is a show that is all about people who don’t deserve awards receving awards due to the fact that old fogey stuffed shirt people who don’t know the music give the votes… A grammy voter knows Chaka because she’s been at it for, what 35 years? Same with Herbie… same with Prince (male r&b vocalist…) And I love all these artists, so no offense. But they aren’t the best for their segments this year.

I mean, honestly, were the best songs for the segment event nominated??! So being bitter about the grammys being “the grammys” is really kinda crazy.

“That’s the Grammys.” — Chubb Rock (1990)

By JZ

February 19, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

AM….”you can’t handle the truth” (so not to offend Hillary, borrowed from a movie)

By JZ

February 19, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

With all the cRAP music, it isn’t hard to see Winehouse won……it is a vote against cRAP music!

By Treva

February 19, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

I agree with India, she was nominated 7 times in 02 because she deserved it. She lost because she isn’t considered the prettiest or the most popular. I mean seriously, Rihanna won a grammy! While I am a fan of both of these women’s work, it is crazy that a package pop tart like Rihanna won a grammy before a serious artist who creates her own beautiful music. The difference between them is that Rihanna has everyone looking for her but India only has true music lovers looking for her. I response to the comment by “music expert”, India has yet to use race as an excuse for anything. Stop stereotyping people. Amy Winehouse is a talented artist, but she is also a young lady who is doing everything in her power to destroy her career. Natalie had the right to comment on it.

By KC

February 19, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Amy Crackhouse has very little talent and didn’t deserve those Grammy wins. How much talent does it take to listen to your dad’s old 60’s soul records and make some songs that sound just like them?

By Kinsman Redeemer

February 19, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Little do you know that your comments reveal your race:

JZ = Mullato VoiceofReason = (too much hatred to tell) Grammy Voter = White Tee = Black RobBennet = Black Roc-A Fella = Black Get Real People = Black JB = Black PoBird = Confused

By jeed

February 19, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

I love good hip-hop (and R&B, country, gospel - for that matter), but honestly, Kanye West has to be one of the most classless individuals on earth. - See his Grammy acceptance “speech” -

It’s sad because he does have creative talent. I’m beginning to feel like he wants the public to hate him.

By astray3000

February 19, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

So Amy’s a crackhead. The album is really good. If you non-music hip-hop heads actually knew what music was you would know this. And no Chaka didn’t deserve to win and yes Natalie has a lot of (sniff) nerve. Musiq & India are coming very close to becoming irrelevant on the music scene and the very thought must be frightening to her. Everyone doesn’t love you so get over yourselves India & Kanye & Natalie.

By Blkshepherd

February 19, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

I am So Sorry, but the grammys has always been a fluke to me. Thats my opinion. The grammys have forever given the awards to the Wrong people although other artists work were much more better and work effort. The grammys mean nothing. take Lauren Hill. First female to win 5 grammys in one night. Where is she now? Those 20 grammys Aretha franklin won wasent necessarily a fair win either. She shut out all other female artists for her songs which didnot even reach no.1 so I dont even see how she won so many grammys. Many of her songs never went to no.1 on the pop or soul charts. The grammys is a fluke and a joke. A year from now I dont care if you win 15 in one night. If you dont have a hit on the charts next year no one will remember you won 15 grammys. I cant even remember who won what last year Ha! you catch my drift?

By Real World Joe

February 19, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

Sucks that these so called artists require an additional pat on the back.

Awards for millionare artists in any industry makes me sick.

On top of it some are even having issues with not getting an award or they’re p** that some one else got one instead of them.

I wish i could get a pat on my back after busting my tail all year.

But I live in the real world.

By EL

February 19, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Hate to say it but Amy Winehouse is only getting so much praise is because she’s white and the music business suck s right now. She’s good but she’s no legend. Singing about drug addiction isn’t art. Unfortunately too many black artist put out trash music now so that’s leaves the door wide open for the next great white hype. I did go out and buy her cd. I did Mark Ronson’s sound.

By whenthedustsettles

February 19, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

JUST SHUT UP EVERYONE! WHO CARES, I’VE NEVER WATCHED A GRAMMY IN MY LIFE AND I LOVE MUSIC. MUSIC ISN’T ABOUT AWARDS! IF NO ONE WATCHED THE GRAMMY AWARDS THERE WOULD BE NO WHINNING BY THE LIKES OF KANYE AND INDIA. THERE WOULD BE NO AMY WHINEHOUSE (BY THE WAY WHO THE HELL IS SHE ANYWAY). MUSIC IS TO LISTEN TO NOT TO DEBATE!

By SKINFAN

February 19, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

I actually am a former artist and radio jock. The Grammy’s are that “Garbage.” I watch to see the performances. The actually awards are trash. there is NO WAY in HELL that Amy Winehouse deserved Song of the Year. Where was the musical content? The Reggae Rabi has better stuff. Kanye scared them into the best Rap album, and the unfortunate death of his mother. Musiq’s CD was the bomb from beginning to end, of course it got NO play in Atlanta, but was played all over the US. I like Chaka, my era, but, her CD “Funk This,” was a bust as far as I was concerned. The CD was unmemorable. Jill Scott’s CD was cool, and I love me some Jill, she unfortunately has not done anything along the lines of “Who is Jill Scott?” lately. Tank’s CD is well done. Not enough airplay in Atlanta, but if you listen to Sirius, Comcast CD, XM, and radio stations beyond Atlanta, you heard the number of spins. The WINNERS: Chrisette Michelle, Conya Doss, Ledisi, & Algebra. Where was the love. These vocalists have ignited a movement of pure singers. Not the I look cute and sound great in the studio with the voice layers and edits that correct a mediocre voice. Them sistas can flat sang. I’m no longer a proponent of non instrumentalist/writers, that means the hip-hop rappers out there need to step their game up. People want music not posers. Kanye, hell of a stage show. Rihanna, new found respect for your style, it’s the future. Beyonce’, enuff!!! Aretha, sit down and let the new sistas move forward. Atlanta radio, please play the music!!! No more It’s All About Me Ryan Cameron. Frank Ski, you’re just NOT relevant, you or Wanda. It’s about the music. India, become relevant. Your music is soooooo boring. I like you, but it’s boring!! Make it more progessive.

By JZ

February 19, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

whenthedustsettles, THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE DEBATING????????

By Rhett

February 19, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Look, I don’t listen to much other than gospel & jazz, but I did see Amy Whinehouse’s performance. (I hope I got her last name correct cause I don’t know many of these artists.) But is she still on drugs? I don’t understand how the media put Brittany Spears down for what they called a sloppy performance late last year, but no one has mentioned Amy’s sloppy performance. It’s like everyone sympathizes with Amy…maybe that’s why she got all the awards.

By newteamgear.com

February 19, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Didn’t the writers’ strike affect this event? We thought it was cancelled and forgot to watch it. Oh Well next year.

By JT

February 19, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Most of you people commenting have no idea what you’re talking about…JZ, you’re just being plain ignorant..to say that India Arie has not talent? Obviously, you have no idea what talent is..and she is right, the choices are political now. Chaka Khan is my girl, but how many of us have even HEARD the song she won with? Just what I thought…Herbie Hancock is probably THE most talented piano player in the world and even HE was shocked that he won!! The grammy voters are crap, just like the voters in all the other awards shows…they change the criteria every 3 or 4 years. Like a few years ago when Usher didn’t win record of the year..come on, that was a joke!! That was the HOTTEST album out that year and it went to Ray Charles posthumously. I love Ray’s work but PULEEEEZE!!!..keep the criteria the same Grammys, is all i’m saying. One more thing, Amy Winehouse??? Come on now…..

By Breezy

February 19, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Kanya is the Man! HATERS!

By ha

February 19, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

the people voting the award are like 50 and over get over it

By Joytotheworld

February 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this

I totally agree with SkinFan…I am an avid music lover and music journalist and I stopped watching the Grammy’s, American Music Awards and pretty much most of the Awards shows on television, because they are absolutely rigged. I listen mostly to satellite radio, where I hear some of the best independent music around, as well as some of the true artists of R&B—even rap. I love Musiq Soulchild’s CD and it definitely should be getting much more play than it does. Rihanna is very pretty, but not really a singer; Amy Winehouse?! People, you’ve got to be kidding! I don’t see it or hear it! Good music is good music, no matter who does it, but what happened to songs with real, meaningful, soul searching, love-inducing lyrics, arrangements and music? If anyone chooses to listen, Musiq Soulchild has it, so does India Arie and there are a few others. I love Beyonce—very unique style, but I agree…enough already…Here’s to real talent and real music—past, present and future.

By Carlie

February 27, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

What are the criteria for QUALITY? I believe that lyrics should be one criterion. Can you separate the music from the artist? Whether they write the lyrics, arrange the music or do little else than play the role of a vocal puppet the work reflects the artist and should not be separated. It makes you question the thought process of the people that voted Rehab song of the year and some other songs that got awards. Good music does more than just sound good to the ear in the moment it resonates, picks you up and plants you on a higher emotional plane, makes you introspect, wanna love somebody more, gets somthings done, patch up some reltionship (not just the intimate ones), it just moves you in a positive direction is what I’m trying to say. That is a step above much of the commercial crap that is out there, constantly bitching, demoralising, feuding, and the list goes on… That being said… India arie is a VERY Talented lady, her music will always be in a different class. I have all three albums and am anxiously awaiting Testimony Vol.II

All the way from South America!