Award season is upon us and you know what that means…plenty of overrated actors, movies, music, bands, shows, etc. winning awards that they do not truly deserve. Or do they? Maybe being a sellout and brainless “artist” is what deserves an award these days.
So, instead of complaining, I am going to pitch an idea for the perfect Grammy’s show ever, just in case The Recording Academy ever decides to really put on a good show that does not appeal to teenage girls and anyone else who is addicted to anything that is mainstream.
First, let us start with the host as they are the one that is going to guide the whole show and to really set the mood of the show. LL Cool J is a cool guy and all; however he is a bit irrelevant these days. And while I would love to have a comedian such as Tina Fey or Aziz Ansari be the host, neither of them have any musical background.
So instead, let us go with someone who is both hilarious and a great musician. Donald Glover would be a perfect host. Not only is he super funny, but he also is an excellent rapper. In case you are unaware of his rap name, it is Childish Gambino. Some of his hits include “Heartbeat” and “Bonfire”.
Now that we have the perfect host, let us move on to the categories. To simplify things, we will use some of the same categories. First up, there is the all favorite “Record of the Year” category.
For the 2013 Grammy’s, their current nominees include The Black Keys, Fun., Kelly Clarkson, Gotye featuring Kimbra, Frank Ocean, and Taylor Swift.
While some of those artists are definitely deserving of an award, I do not agree that Taylor Swift with her horrid song, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” should even be on the list. Have we not been subjected to enough of Swift’s whining about boyfriends? Hey, girl, it’s not them, it’s you.
For my “Record of the Year”, I would nominate “Gold On The Ceiling” by the Black Keys instead of “Lonely Boy”. While “Lonely Boy” is a great hit, “Gold On The Ceiling” is just infinitely better. Then why not nominate a great band that barely gets any recognition, Murder By Death?
In 2012, they came out with an awesome album, Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon. “I Came Around” was the absolute best song of the album and deserves a nomination.
Why is “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons not nominated for “Record of the Year”? This is hands down, one of the greatest songs ever. It is addictive really and I just cannot get enough of it. And lastly, “Mercy” by Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz is the greatest rap song in the entire world, not to mention one of the top songs of 2012. How did T. Swift beat out these hits?
For “Album of the Year”, The Recording Academy did not do too shabby. The nominees include El Camino by The Black Keys, Some Nights, by Fun., Babel By Mumford and Sons, Channel Orange by Frank Ocean, and Blunderbuss by Jack White.
I would only like a couple of changes made here. Instead of Frank Ocean’s album, Of Monsters and Men should have been nominated for My Head Is An Animal. I have no idea how this album was passed up.
“Song of the Year” is all sorts of crazy this year. While I admit I am confused about the difference between “Record of the Year” and “Song of the Year”, I am not confused about the fact that whoever nominated “Call Me Maybe” was probably on a drinking binge at the time they picked this sorry excuse for music. This song should not be rewarded! It should be pushed deep under the carpet and forgotten that it ever existed.
The other nominees include “The A Team”, “Adorn”, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”, and “We Are Young”. Instead of “Call Me Maybe” and “Stronger”, throw in “Lover of the Light” by Mumford & Sons and “Mountain Sound” by Of Monsters and Men and I will be content.
For the performances, since they are the most important part, I want to see a mix of good musicians with a dash of crazy. Some performers for this year include, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, the Black Keys, Fun., the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Jack White. However, that just is not good enough for me.
I need some Of Monsters and Men since they are amazing performers, Nicki Minaj because she is straight up insane.
What about Britney Spears for another awe-inspiring performance. While we are at it, why not ask The Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child to get back together with their respective groups and put on some great performances. I really do not think that is too much to ask for. Oh, and Kanye, because you can never have enough Kanye.
Well, Recording Academy, I have given you some ideas for a beautiful evening celebrating some of the actual best music of the year. Instead of rewarding subpar music, it is time to let the light shine on those that truly deserve it. Hey, a girl can dream, right?
Lauren Dwyer
Features Editor
dwyer.l01@mymail.sxu.edu