Daily Archives: February 12, 2012

Jay-Z, Kanye West Skip 2012 Grammys Despite Wins

Posted on by

98744 kanyenoms1 Jay Z, Kanye West Skip 2012 Grammys Despite Wins

By Tamara Palmer

Although Jay-Z and Kanye West won Best Rap Performance for “Otis” off their Watch the Throne album (and West took home several solo trophies), both rappers were noticeably absent from this year’s Grammy Awards. Their decision to skip the award show didn’t come as a huge surprise, however, as Jay-Z decided to pass on attendance last year as well.

2012 Grammy Nominations: Did Kanye West Get Snubbed For Album Of The Year?

West himself grabbed seven Grammy nominations this year, winning three of them before the telecast even aired (Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song for “All Of The Lights” and Best Rap Album for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy). But there is speculation from fans and industry alike that he may have felt snubbed by not snagging a place in the coveted Album of the Year category alongside nominees Adele, Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Bruno Mars.

Kanye West Responds To Album Of The Year Grammy Snub

Though diaper duties might be calling Jay-Z, whose daughter Blue Ivy Carter was born on January 7, the rapper has a long history of discontent with the Grammys. He was absent from the ceremony last year, and has been criticizing the show for a decade.

“I am boycotting the Grammys because too many major rap artists continue to be overlooked,” he said in 2002. “Rappers deserve more attention from the Grammy committee and from the whole world. If it’s got a gun everybody knows about it; but if we go on a world tour, no one knows.”

Are the two merely suffering from realness, or just feeling themselves a bit too much to go and accept their honors in person? Check out a few fan tweets below.

yourcracked Where is Kanye to crush Taylor’s dreams yet again … ?

Why_SoSeriousB Where is Kanye to tell her about herself again??

itstajaye_ WHERE IS KANYE WHEN HES ACTUALLY NEEDED.

geesongz dumb ass n—- where is kanye at make sure he dont interupt adele speech

francescaPasha Where is Kanye when you need him!! #TaylorSwift!

itsjustAYO Where is Kanye? Get on stage pls

Tweet your comments to us @MTVRapFix.

Tags , , , , ,

Nicki Minaj, J. Cole Lose Best New Artist Grammy To Bon Iver

Posted on by

bca2f nickimnajpope Nicki Minaj, J. Cole Lose Best New Artist Grammy To Bon Iver

By Nadeska Alexis

At last year’s Grammy Awards, Justin Bieber’s fans were up in arms when the Canadian sensation lost the Best New Artist award to jazz singer Esperanza Spalding and this year’s award didn’t go over too well either. Nicki Minaj and J. Cole were both nominated in the category up against Skrillex, The Band Perry and Bon Iver, and Bon Iver took home the award. Fans weighed in on the win via Twitter, with plenty of people upset that Nicki Minaj, J. Cole and Skrillex were overlooked for the indie artist.

Nicki Minaj Hits Grammys Red Carpet In Red Robe, With Pope Look-alike

Check out some Twitter reactions from fans:

DJBooth My mother just called to ask me why Nicki Minaj didnt win BestNew Artist. My night is complete.

AlliCWard NICKI MINAJ DIDNT WIN BEST NEW ARTIST?????????? #WHAT #WHY #HOW #RIGGED

kj_bg7fan Sorry bon iver but the best new artist grammy shoulda went to either j.cole or nicki minaj

JoelMakesMusic
Nicki Minaj didn’t win Best New Artist. That alone is enough to restore my faith in humanity.

SbThaDon And I don’t like nicki minaj like that but she should have won thebest new artist award … #grammys

XclusivesZone J. Cole or Nicki Minaj should have won Best New Artist. Bon Iver’s first album dropped in 2008. How are they a new artist?

DiverStar Bon Iver just took Nicki Minaj’s moment 4 life!

Fantronomy That belonged to Nicki Minaj. Tbh.

MistaBadBoi bon iver won best new artist over nicki minaj and j cole , now this is a joke #GRAMMYs

SaraxJxLuvsDGIT Bon Iver…..Congratulations, i’m really happy for you, i’ma let you finish, but Nicki Minaj was supposed to win BEST NEW ARTIST. *Pissed*

Tags , , , , ,

2012 Grammys: Rihanna Performs With Coldplay, Fans React

Posted on by

(Rihanna, Coldplay perform at the 2012 Grammy Awards)

By John Mitchell

Rihanna stormed the Grammys stage on Sunday night with her new blonde do, kicking off her performance with the hit “We Found Love.” Ri Ri, started things off solo, with only a piano to accompany her, before she launched into a full out party with plenty of backup dancers around. Coldplay would later join her for their collaboration on “Princess of China.”

2012 Grammys: Chris Brown Performs Wins Best RB Album, Fans React

The performance kicked off like a scene straight out of the thematically dark video for the track, with the Barbadian pop star leaning against a wall looking troubled under dark lighting with only a piano playing alongside her as she sang the track like a torch ballad. Looking gorgeous — and giving off a Tina Turner vibe — Rihanna rocked the blond locks she introduced recently, wearing a tight, belly-baring ensemble.

bca2f rihannagrammys 2012 Grammys: Rihanna Performs With Coldplay, Fans React

The laser lights, LED screens and synths kicked up soon enough, though, and Rihanna welcomed dancers to the stage and lit into a high-energy performance of the dance smash that kept with the feel of the song, devolving into a full-on rave, with the pop star front and center.

Like many other performers and presenters at the show, Rihanna took a moment to honor the late Whitney Houston, demanding the audience, “Make some noise for Whitney!”

Soon, the tempo backed down and the dancers departed, leaving Rihanna onstage with just Chris Martin strumming an acoustic guitar. The pair then started into the televised debut of their Mylo Xyloto collaboration “Princess of China.”

“Her bit on our record is my favorite bit. When the song came out, it sort of asked for her to be on it,” Chris Martin told MTV News of the pop princess’ involvement last fall. “And I think at this point, we have nothing to lose, and so we’ve been trying some new things and trying to break down the perceived boundaries between different types of music.”

Coldplay finished things up on an upbeat note with their song “Paradise” and fans took to Twitter to share their reactions.

chescaleigh can the beach boys teach rihanna how to stay on pitch? thx#grammys

Davisturbia Rihanna’s performance is the best so far @ Grammys 2012

NewDorkCity I hate to admit it, but Rihanna/Coldplay’s performance was pretty cool. I kinda like Coldplay. And their duet was nice. #GRAMMYs

BonnieMcKeee Dude @rihanna’s voice sounds amazing!! Get it girl! #Grammys

abbydavenport Rihanna really bugs me but at least she sounds good this year… well at first #grammys #DVRdelay

GQswaGGG Rihanna and Coldplay What a random collaboration ,but they actually sound good together I actually like this song #Grammys

kevingschmidt Rihanna Coldplay = Awesomeness. #Grammys #InLove

MissSuccess This Rihanna/Coldplay performance was very well produced. I’m sold. #Grammys

jianghomeshi So the much publicized Rihanna-Coldplay #Grammys joint performance was Rihanna performing…and then Coldplay performing. *cough*

louisvirtel Rihanna and Chris Martin apparently believe “singing” is the same thing as “competitive weeping.” #Grammys

Tags , , ,

2012 Grammys: Chris Brown Performs & Wins Best R&B Album, Fans React

Posted on by

(Chris Brown performs at the 2012 Grammy Awards)

By Rob Markman

Controversy? What controversy? In the weeks leading up to the 54th Annual Grammy Awards many speculated what kind of reception Chris Brown would receive. It was 2009 when Brown assaulted ex-girlfriend Rihanna a night before both were scheduled to appear at the 51st Grammy Awards. On Sunday night (February 12), none of that mattered, because Breezy simply focused on the music. Fans may not have recognized the intro beat to “Turn Up the Music,” Brown’s first single from his upcoming fifth album, Fortune, but they’re sure to be humming the tune tomorrow following Chris’ colorful performance at Sunday’s show, followed by a win for Best RB Album with F.A.M.E.

When the stage lit up, Brown stood atop a collection of colorful blocks that at times resembled the 1980s arcade game “Q-Bert.” The electric-tuned, Underdogs-produced single filled Staples Center, as Brown, who was dressed in a white and gray varsity jacket, white pants and sparkling sneaks, kick-stepped up and down multiple levels of the high-rising stage prop.

bca2f chrisbrowngrammys 2012 Grammys: Chris Brown Performs & Wins Best R&B Album, Fans React

As the beat built, the blocks went from red to blue to yellow and green with building intensity before Brown switched gears and went into the more familiar dance single “Beautiful People” from last year’s F.A.M.E. LP. The pop star got a bit daring, jumping across the structure while his backup dancers, who wore oversize winged ponchos, followed suit in a high-flying routine.

In the end, there were no innuendos or screen cuts to Breezy’s ex-flame Rihanna. Brown simply finished his number, stood triumphantly and saluted the crowd before taking a bow. Following the performance and Brown’s Grammy win, fans took to Twitter to weigh in (including Nicki Minaj).

NICKIMINAJ OMG @ that chris brown performance. SHUT DOOWWWNNNN

TillieElvrum If I never see Chris Brown dance his way thru a music show again it’ll be just fine. #grammys

ciaobella50 Wish I could dance as well as Chris Brown. #Grammys

laurenkgray Congrats Chris Brown!! Look at you! Great album. #Grammys

BmoreFab Aww yayy. Chris Brown. Full circle moment. #grammys

RealMulahTruth Congrats to CHRIS BROWN. #Grammys #TeamBreezy

YesiTweetediT Chris Brown WINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh they hatin’!!! #Grammys

fivehundy I was really hoping someone would beat Chris Brown #Grammys

MissterRay Chris Brown won Best RB Album!!!!!! #Grammys

DazedPuckBunny Whenever I see Chris Brown nominated for anything or performing, my soul dies a little…. #grammys

mattnathanson did chris brown just sing ‘put your hands up?’ if he did i assume he means in the defensive position. #douche #grammys

KitchenMisfit Oh Chris Brown. WHY!?!? Fail Grammys

What did you think of Chris Brown’s Grammy performance? Tell us in the comments
Stick with MTV News all for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

Tags , , , , ,

Jay-Z, Kanye West’s ‘Otis’ Wins Best Rap Performance, Fans React

Posted on by

(2012 Grammy Nominees)

By Nadeska Alexis

Kanye West picked up an early Grammy Award tonight during the pre-telecast for Best Rap Album, with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, meaning that he beat out his collaboration album Watch the Throne with Jay-Z, in the same category. Early in the live show broadcast however, Jay-Z and Kanye West both picked up a trophy for Best Rap Peformance with their hit single “Otis.” Hard to say if either artist is very thrilled about their wins tonight, since neither of them have showed up yet.

Fans took to Twitter to react to the “Otis” win, with some convinced that Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now” should have taken the award instead.

Heightz_ Heightz
Look at me now is better Than Otis btw #JustSaying

janniaragon Otis deserved it. Love that song. #Grammys

ScottGarg How is it possible that #KanyeWest won w/ Jay-z for ‘Otis’ in Best Rap Perf category, but no songs from ‘Dark Twisted’ were even nominated?

OIdBlueEyes Someone fill me in on why neither Jay-Z or Kanye West are at the Grammys? Otis just won but no one there to accept it?

T_Morg13 Kanye and jay z’s song Otis, never gets old!! #greatsong

D_Saldana7 Otis won!!!

bonez_21218 #Grammys: Cris brown got snubbed the Otis record was ok but it wasn’t better than look at me now

OIdBlueEyes Someone fill me in on why neither Jay-Z or Kanye West are at the Grammys? Otis just won but no one there to accept it?

kathrynglynn Otis is a sick song,but I honestly think Look At Me Know should have won because who doesn’t wish they could rap the Busta Rhymes part..

Tags , , , ,

Birdman Talks Cash Money Nominations, Kanye West Win At Grammys

Posted on by

By Nadeska Alexis

The YMCMB team is out in full force at the 2012 Grammy Awards, with approximately 17 nominations between Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Busta Rhymes and DJ Khaled. During the Grammys pre-show, MTV News correspondent Sway caught up with Cash Money CEO Birdman, Mack Maine and Young Money artist Tyga, to talk about YMCMB nominations and even Kanye West’s three wins.

“If I ain’t mistaken it’s like 17, or 18 [awards]—Wayne has 5, Drake has 4, Nicki has 4, Busta has 2, Khaled has 1,” Birdman told Sway, addressing the amount of nominations that his Young Money Cash Money Billionaires had racked up at the big awards show. “17, that ain’t like 1, you talking about 17 so it’s always an honor for us to get noticed for the hard work we do, the Grammys they show us love and support. It’s exciting us for us as a brand, and when we all get together it’s just priceless.”

“We all enjoy being around each other,” Birdman continued, referring to all of his label nominees. “So for me to watch how hard they work and what they’re trying to accomplish and how much more they’re trying to accomplish that’s all it’s about.”

When asked about Kanye West’s three wins, which included Best Rap Album for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (over Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV), they answered casually, “Like I said everybody’s working hard and he’s definitely another big artist in the game,” Tyga said, with Birdman simply adding, “It is what it is, and that’s what it do.”
On Whitney Houston’s untimely death, Birdman told Sway, “We grew up on music, us as black people music is our thing and she was like Michael Jackson to us, inspirational, so we feel that in our heart like we lost somebody we love and know.”

Tags , , , , , , ,

Nicki Minaj Hits Grammys Red Carpet In Red Robe, With Pope Look-alike

Posted on by

47d0b nickicarpet Nicki Minaj Hits Grammys Red Carpet In Red Robe, With Pope Look alike
(Getty Images)

By Sowmya Krishnamurthy

Count on Nicki Minaj to turn more than a few heads on the red carpet. In a new envelope-pushing look for her, the always outrageous Nicki channeled high fashion and religion in a strange way on tonight’s Grammy red carpet. Nicki rocked a deep red Versace cloak, covering more skin than she usually does, which offset her glowing fresh-faced makeup. Hip-hop’s Little Red Riding Hood was in the building. Even more eyebrow-raising was her choice of date, an older gentleman man decked out in a bishop’s ensemble. We can only wonder what those two chatted about on the limo ride over.

Fans took to Twitter to share their confusion. “How can I describe #NickiMinaj’s performance? Let’s say it’s a religious experience,” said one while another added “where’s the big bad wolf when you need him #nickiminaj?”

47d0b nickipope Nicki Minaj Hits Grammys Red Carpet In Red Robe, With Pope Look alike
(Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Nicki will take the stage tonight for the first time and premiere “Roman’s Holiday“, the next single from her Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded sophomore album. She’s also up for one of the night’s biggest nods, Best New Artist where she’ll go head-to-head with J. Cole, The Band Perry, Bon Iver and Skrillex.

47d0b nickifull Nicki Minaj Hits Grammys Red Carpet In Red Robe, With Pope Look alike

Earlier today, Nicki tweeted her love for singer Whitney Houston who died suddenly. “Jesus Christ, not Whitney Houston. Greatest of all time,” she wrote and then Twitpiced a photograph of Whitney with Michael Jackson.

Tags , , , ,

Grammy Snubs: Kanye West, Cee Lo Hip-Hop Awards Not Televised

Posted on by

6a191 kanyenoms Grammy Snubs: Kanye West, Cee Lo Hip Hop Awards Not Televised

By Sowmya Krishnamurthy

The 54th annual Grammys haven’t officially aired yet, but some of the biggest categories featuring hip-hop and rb stars will not be seen by audiences tonight. Notorious for shutting out those categories, the Grammys aired a slew of awards already in the Grammy pre-telecast. Kanye West has already snagged three of the night’s biggest hip-hop awards: Best Rap album for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “All Of the Lights” with Fergie, Kid Cudi and Rihanna. Another big name that won an award you’ll never see was Cee-Lo Green, who took Best RB Song and Best Traditional RB Performance for “Fool For You” with Melanie Fiona.

See the full list of Grammy winners here

There will be some hip-hop presence at the actual show and there is palpable anticipation for Nicki Minaj and Lil’ Wayne. Nicki, along with J. Cole, is nominated for the big honor of Best New Artist.

Nicki and Lil’ Wayne will also take the stage in two separate buzzy performances. Nicki will perform for the first time and debut her new single “Roman Holiday” from the upcoming sophomore effort Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded while her Young Money boss will partake in a pan-genre performance alongside deadmau5 and David Guetta in an EDM homage.

Tags , , , ,

2012 Grammys, Young Money: Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne Nominated

Posted on by

(2012 Grammy Nominees)

By Sowmya Krishnamurthy

Young Money is the team to beat at the 2012 Grammy Awards. Racking up a plethora of nominations, both individually and collectively, Lil’ Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Drake (as well as affiliate DJ Khaled) have proven that there really is strength in numbers. Young Money boss Lil’ Wayne snagged an impressive five nods while first lady Nicki Minaj is up for Best New Artist, in which she is up against The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole and Skrillex.

Young Money boss Lil’ Wayne snagged an impressive five nods while first lady Nicki Minaj is up for one of the night’s biggest honors, a nomination for Best New Artist, in which she is up against The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole and Skrillex. In a master versus protege moment of sorts, Nicki will also compete against Wayne in the Best Rap Album category with Pink Friday versus Tha Carter IV. The Best Rap/Sung Collaboration award could very well be renamed the Drake Collaboration award as DJ Khaled’s mega-hit I’m On One” featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil’ Wayne goes head-to-head with Rihanna and Drake’s sexy track “What’s My Name?”

The Best Rap Performance category looks especially good for the label as Wayne, Nicki and Drake all have nods, on Chris Brown’s frenetic “Look at Me Now” and the introspective “Moment 4 Life,” respectively.

Wayne and company will enjoy plenty of airtime on the Grammy stage as well, in two separate, but highly anticipated performances. Genres will collide when Lil’ Wayne joins EDM powerhouses deadmau5 and David Guetta for a dance/electronica music throw down while Barbz everywhere can catch Nicki in her very first performance on the award show.

More than a few eyebrows are sure to be raised as Nicki unveils the brand new track “Roman Holiday” from her upcoming sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.

Drake was really onto something with that”Man I love my team/Man I love my team” sentiment on “Up All Night.” The 54th annual Grammy Awards are set to air Sunday, February 12 on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.

Tags , , , , ,

Kanye West Kicks Off 2012 Grammys With Three Wins, Fans React

Posted on by

(2012 Grammy Nominees)

By Gil Kaufman

It’s still unclear whether or not Kanye West will actually show up at the Staples Center in Los Angeles tonight, but he already picked up three awards during the 2012 Grammys pre-telecast. West won awards for Best Rap Album of the year, with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, (beating out his collaboration Watch the Throne with Jay-Z) in addition to Best Rap Song for “All of the Lights” and Best Rap Song Collaboration for that song’s hook-up with Rihanna, Fergie and Kid Cudi.

2012 Grammy Nominations: Did Kanye West Get Snubbed For Album Of The Year?

Kanye also beat out Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV, Lupe Fiasco’s Lasers and Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday for Best Rap Album. In the category for Best Rap Song Collaboration he beat out some other major players, including Beyoncé and Andre 3000′s “Party”; DJ Khaled’s “I’m on One” with Drake, Rick Ross and Wayne; Eminem, Dr. Dre and Skylar Grey’s “I Need a Doctor”; Rihanna’s “What’s My Name” featuring Drake; and the Kelly Rowland/Weezy duet “Motivation.”

“Everybody’s working hard and he’s definitely another big artist in the game,” Tyga told MTV News’ Sway on the Grammy red carpet when news broke about the West wins. With 17 nominations for the YMCMB crew, label boss Baby didn’t have much to add about West’s win, though Weezy had plenty to say in a pre-Grammy freestyle in which he took shots at West and Jigga.

Fans took to Twitter to react after Kanye’s initial wins.

He2Wavvy Rapper Alive Kanye West #Yeezy #MrWest #GRAMMYs

shadowoolu Kanye West has already won half the number of Grammys Whitney Houston won in her career before the Grammys even started

cadencebeats Kanye West is about to clean up at these Grammys.

Tags , , , , , , ,