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53rd GRAMMY Celebration After-Party with The Roots
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Tagged ben gleib, celeb news, celebration, coverage february 13th., grammy, Hollywood, Music, roots, stars, the roots
In a week that saw plenty of post-Grammy sales bumps, it’s Bieber who reigns supreme. By James Montgomery Justin Bieber Photo: Mark Von Holden/ WireImage In a week in which the post- Grammy sales boom finally took hold, sending several long-dormant albums rocketing back up the charts, it was the kid who got shut out at the big show who ended up topping the charts. Justin Bieber ‘s Never Say Never – The Remixes debuts at #1 on next week’s Billboard top 200 albums chart, giving the pop star the second chart-topping bow of his young career. The album sold more than 161,000 copies, easily surpassing Mumford & Sons ‘ breakout Sigh No More , which benefited from the group’s Grammy-night performance with Bob Dylan (and the Avett Brothers ), selling nearly 133,000 copies — a 169 percent increase in sales from the previous week — to hold steady at #2. Former chart champ the Now 37 compilation lands at #3, with sales of nearly 95,000 copies, and Lady Antebellum — who not only performed at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards , but took home the awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year — posted a 205 percent sales jump, selling more than 85,000 copies to snag the #4 spot. Grammy winner and performer Bruno Mars ‘ Doo-Wops & Hooligans sold nearly 61,000 copies (a 55 percent burst in sales) to come in at #5, followed by a host of other Grammy beneficiaries: Eminem ‘s Recovery at #6 (nearly 61,000 copies sold), the 2011 Grammy Nominees compilation (#7, nearly 56,000 copies sold), Bieber’s My World, 2.0 (#8, more than 54,000 copies), and Nicki Minaj ‘s Pink Friday (#9, nearly 46,000 copies). Rihanna ‘s Loud rounds out the top 10, with sales of more than 45,000 copies sold. That Grammy bump continues outside the top 10 too, starting with Katy Perry ‘s Teenage Dream, which, thanks to her Grammy performance , jumped 30 percent in sales, moving nearly 42,000 units to land at #11. Surprise Album of the Year winners Arcade Fire ‘s The Suburbs posted a 238 percent sales jump to come in at #12, selling more than 40,000 copies … and moving past the 500,000 mark in total sales as a result. Other winners and performers who leapt up the charts include Florence and the Machine , whose Lungs moved from #28 to #19; Cee Lo Green ‘s The Lady Killer (from #53 to #22); Lady Gaga ‘s The Fame (from #35 to #23); and the Black Keys ‘ Brothers , which posted a 25 percent sales jump to grab the #24 spot. Aside from Bieber’s Never Say Never, other notable Billboard debuts include Bright Eyes ‘ The People’s Key, which opened at #12 with sales of nearly 41,000 copies, Hillsong United ‘s Aftermath (#17, with sales of more than 27,000 copies), Ginuwine ‘s Elgin (#30, with sales of more than 19,000 copies), and PJ Harvey ‘s Let England Shake, which bows at #32 with sales of nearly 18,000. Related Artists Justin Bieber
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Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never – The Remixes Tops Billboard Chart
Posted in Celebrities, Gossip, Hollywood, Music
Tagged artists, avett-brothers, awards, bieber, celeb news, grammy, grammy-nominees, green, hillsong-united, Hollywood, Music, news article, sales, update
According to Access Hollywood, Diana Ross is making her first television performance in four years on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The former lead singer of the soul group, The Supremes will perform her hit, “I’m Coming Out.” The 66-year-old legendary songstress will appear as a guest with all of her children and her grandson as guests on Oprah’s last season. Ross is currently on her “Now” tour, the episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show will air February 25th. What are Diana’s five kids up to? Head to HipHopWired.com to find out .
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Diana Ross To Perform And Bring Her Family On Oprah
Yesterday, former music executive Steve Stoute let loose a scathing letter to the Grammy committee chastising their use of today’s most popular artists to sell the award show, without properly crediting them with statues for the categories in which they are nominated. Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture. My being a music fan has left me with an even greater and deeper sense of dismay — so much so that I feel compelled to write this letter. Where I think that the Grammys fail stems from two key sources: (1) over-zealousness to produce a popular show that is at odds with its own system of voting and (2) fundamental disrespect of cultural shifts as being viable and artistic. As an institution that celebrates artistic works of musicians, singers, songwriters, producers and technical specialists, we have come to expect that the Grammys upholds all of the values that reflect the very best in music that is born from our culture. Unfortunately, the awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate. How is it possible that in 2001 The Marshall Mathers LP — an album by Eminem that ushered in the Bob Dylan of our time — was beaten out by Steely Dan (no disrespect) for Album Of The Year? While we cannot solely utilize album sales as the barometer, this was certainly not the case. Not only is Eminem the best-selling artist of the last decade, but The Marshall Mathers LP was a critical and commercial success that sold over 10 million albums in the United States (19 million worldwide), while Steely Dan sold less than 10% of that amount and came and went as quietly as a church mouse. Or consider even that in 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, after going into the night as the most-nominated artist, Kanye West’s Graduation was beaten out for Album Of The Year by Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters. (This was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album won this category.) While there is no doubt in my mind of the artistic talents of Steely Dan or Herbie Hancock, we must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation. It is this same cultural impact that acknowledged the commercial and critical success of Michael Jackson’s Thriller in 1984. What say you? Do you feel that the Grammy’s are representative of today modern pop culture? Go to HipHopWired to read more of Stoute’s letter
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For Discussion: Shouldn’t The Grammy’s Be Reflective Of What’s Popular In Society? Steve Stoute Thinks So…
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Tagged black celebrity gossip, Celebrity News, for discussion, for your information, grammy, grammys, hip hop wired, Hollywood, News, river, smh, time, united-states
*Ad man, brand manager and occasional consigliere to many of hip-hop’s most powerful stars, marketing mogul Steve Stoute took out a full page ad in Sunday’s New York Times Style Section blasting the Grammy Awards, its parent organizational, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), and its president, Neil Portnow, for what he feels is both increasing irrelevance and possible malfeasance. “Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture,” he wrote in the ad, which took the form of an open letter. “The awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate.” In particular, Stoute (pictured) focused on the relatively recent snubs of Eminem, Kayne West, and Justin Bieber, all musicians he believes have been unfairly beaten for awards by inferior artistic and commercial acts. “We must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation,” Stoute wrote of the two hip-hop superstars, adding of Bieber, “How is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist?” Read MORE of this story at MTV News .
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Music Exec. Pens Open Letter to Protest Beiber, Eminem Grammy Snub
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Tagged artist, bennyhollywood, cultural-impact, Eminem, grammy, Hollywood, lost, Music, News, over-the-course, popular-culture, Voice
*Ad man, brand manager and occasional consigliere to many of hip-hop’s most powerful stars, marketing mogul Steve Stoute took out a full page ad in Sunday’s New York Times Style Section blasting the Grammy Awards, its parent organizational, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), and its president, Neil Portnow, for what he feels is both increasing irrelevance and possible malfeasance. “Over the course of my 20-year history as an executive in the music business and as the owner of a firm that specializes in in-culture advertising, I have come to the conclusion that the Grammy Awards have clearly lost touch with contemporary popular culture,” he wrote in the ad, which took the form of an open letter. “The awards show has become a series of hypocrisies and contradictions, leaving me to question why any contemporary popular artist would even participate.” In particular, Stoute (pictured) focused on the relatively recent snubs of Eminem, Kayne West, and Justin Bieber, all musicians he believes have been unfairly beaten for awards by inferior artistic and commercial acts. “We must acknowledge the massive cultural impact of Eminem and Kanye West and how their music is shaping, influencing and defining the voice of a generation,” Stoute wrote of the two hip-hop superstars, adding of Bieber, “How is it that Justin Bieber, an artist that defines what it means to be a modern artist, did not win Best New Artist?” Read MORE of this story at MTV News .
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Music Exec. Pens Open Letter to Protest Beiber, Eminem Grammy Snub
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Tagged both-increasing, cultural-impact, grammy, grammy-awards, Hollywood, lost, Mtv, Music, News, over-the-course, popular-culture, recording-arts, stars, Voice
Merge Records’ Christina Rentz recalls her awards-show experience. By James Montgomery Arcade Fire at the 2011 Grammy Awards Photo: Getty Images As the week draws to a close, many still can’t believe Arcade Fire managed to trump Eminem and Lady Gaga to win Album of the Year at Sunday’s Grammy Awards . And if you’re one of those who are still coming to grips with the upset, well, you’re not alone. Turns out, even the band’s publicist can’t believe it. In fact, on Grammy night, she had made peace with the fact that Arcade Fire seemed destined to go home empty-handed. In a new Billboard.biz story, Merge Records’ publicist Christina Rentz writes that, after watching her band go 0-for-2 during the Grammy’s pre-telecast awards (they lost both Best Alternative Album and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals to the Black Keys), she was resigned to the belief that the band would lose Album of the Year, too. In fact, she thought Eminem had it sewn up. “The production value was amazing, and it was incredibly exciting to be in the room. When Eminem came onstage and blew the roof off the place, I thought we were sunk for sure,” Rentz wrote. “But Jamie [Beck, Merge’s retail director] had been saying all weekend that we were going to win. She gave me very good reasons why, but I still didn’t think it was possible. As the night wore on, she persisted in her certainty, but it wasn’t until Eminem won Best Rap Album that I felt the familiar sweaty palms again.” When Album of the Year was announced, her feelings of nervousness quickly changed to jubilation — much to the consternation of those seated around her. “Barbra [Streisand] announced the Album of the Year: ‘And the Grammy goes to … The S-S-S-S-Suburbs ? We began screaming and jumping as our section emptied out with people muttering under their breath, ‘Who is Arcade Fire?’ ” she wrote. “The band accepted the award then immediately set up for their second song, with Win [Butler, the band’s lead vocalist and songwriter] putting his Grammy on top of an amp so he could pick up his guitar … my favorite moment of the evening! “They could not stop smiling and neither could we. Together, we had accomplished something pretty incredible and hopefully inspired musicians everywhere not to compromise when it is important.” And afterwards, having bested Eminem for the night’s biggest award, Rentz and Beck did what any newly minted Grammy winner would do: They partied hard. In their own way, of course. “We then phoned our label manager Stacy ‘Spott’ Philpott and said, ‘Holy crap, what do we do now?’ ” she wrote. “I still don’t fully know the answer, but at the time, it seemed like the best thing we could do was to get in our red Mustang, throw the top down, drive to the after-party to hug our friends in Arcade Fire, high-five their manager Scott Rodger and then get back to work on Tuesday, the release date for two new albums from Telekinesis and East River Pipe.” Were you surprised by Arcade Fire’s win? Tell us in the comments! Related Photos The 2011 Grammy Awards Show Related Artists Arcade Fire
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Arcade Fire’s Album Of The Year Grammy Stuns Publicist
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Tagged Album, arcade-fire, black, christina-rentz, consternation, Eminem, grammy, grammy-awards, Hollywood, lost, manager, Photos, time, update
‘We’re called Arcade Fire — check it out on Google,’ Win Butler jokes on Tuesday night. By Gil Kaufman Justin Bieber at the 2011 Brit Awards Photo: Dave Hogan/ Getty Images Less than 48 hours after his Grammy Awards disappointment, Justin Bieber got some sweet relief at Tuesday night’s Brit Awards. The annual kudos fest was held at London’s O2 arena, and it featured a trophy for Bieber in the International Breakthrough Act category, as well as some additional hardware for one of Sunday night’s biggest winners. After taking home the Album of the Year honors at the Grammys, the Arcade Fire continued their winning ways at the Brits, snagging a pair of trophies — which were crafted by designer Vivienne Westwood — for Best International Album and Best International Group. “We’re called Arcade Fire — check it out on Google,” band leader Win Butler said in a nod to his group’s search engine popularity in the wake of the Grammy surprise. The Brits showed more love for their former colonies as Barbadian Rihanna took Best International Female Star, and American Cee Lo Green snagged Best International Male Solo Artist. It was also a big night for British rapper Tinie Tempah , who was honored for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best single for his tune “Pass Out.” Tempah’s album is slated for release in the U.S. in the spring. As their debut continues to move back up the U.S. charts, Grammy performers Mumford & Sons won Best British Album for Sigh No More, while reunited British boy-now-man band Take That — which features singer Robbie Williams — were awarded the Best British Group. Rising star Jessie J got the Critics’ Choice prize and 21-year-old folk singer Laura Marling was named Best British Female. Related Photos 2011 Brit Awards Red Carpet Related Artists Justin Bieber Rihanna Arcade Fire
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Arcade Fire, Justin Bieber, Rihanna Win Brit Awards
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Tagged arcade-fire, brits, check-it-out, grammy, Mtv, News, news article, Photos, robbie williams, show, situation, spring, stars
Justin Bieber continued his media blitz last night, promoting “Never Say Never” on Conan and Chelsea Lately . During the former stop, Bieber touched on a number of subjects, ranging from his hair to his favorite candy to his impression of Barack Obama. Yes, Justin Bieber did an impression of President Obama. How can you not watch this clip?!? Justin Bieber on Conan Over on E!, meanwhile, Bieber talked to Handler about his Grammy loss to Esperanza Spalding (“I’m not gonna lie. People are expecting me to say something else, but I’m disappointed.”) and Lady Gaga’s unusual event entrance (“People say it’s artistic and stuff, and I’m, like, ‘You’re an egg.’”). Watch below. Justin Bieber on Chelsea Lately
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Justin Bieber Impersonates Obama, Questions Lady Gaga
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Tagged bennyhollywood, bieber, bieber-on-conan, celeb news, chelsea-handler, chelsea-lately, conan obrien, Gossip, grammy, his-impression, Hollywood, media-blitz, president, say-something, Videos
Indie-rock band bests heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Eminem in the show’s final category. By Ryan J. Downey Arcade Fire win Album of the Year at 2011 Grammy Awards Photo: Getty Images Who says the Grammys reward nothing but pop music? Critical darlings Arcade Fire nabbed the top prize for Album of the Year at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night. The Canadian indie rock group’s The Suburbs bested major label albums from megastars Eminem, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, whose media campaigns were as relentless as their radio hits were ubiquitous. The category was rounded out by Lady Antebellum , huge stars in the world of country and multiple Grammy nominees in their own right. Check out photos of Arcade Fire’s performance and more! Arcade Fire’s Album of the Year win was something of an upset, although MTV News’ own James Montgomery did sort of call it for them. The band’s Grammy heat was part of a wave that showed how much traction indie releases have gained with Grammy voters in recent years. The Suburbs was released by Merge Records, the independent label based in Durham, North Carolina, that has been home to underground acts like Lou Barlow, The Clientele, Superchunk and Neutral Milk Hotel. In addition to performing, Arcade Fire were up for three Grammys this year. On Sunday night in Los Angeles, groups like Mumford & Sons, Florence and the Machine, Black Keys, Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses and Broken Bells all joined Arcade Fire in battle with more mainstream nominees like Justin Bieber and Eminem. The Suburbs has sold roughly 400,000 copies, making it a smash for an indie label, particularly in the age of downloading. Arcade Fire’s Funeral (2005) and Neon Bible (2008) were both nominated for Best Alternative Music Album. The Montreal, Canada-based multi-instrumental band is led by husband-and-wife team Win Butler and R
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