Now I'm sure by now you've heard about Kanye's total disrespect for Taylor Swift at the MTV 2009 VMAs. I'm just glad that my wife Beyonce was the classy lady that she is and gave Taylor her time for her acceptance speech. . .Now, I WAS a Kanye fan, now I AM not. And although I agree that Taylor shouldn't have won (and that's my opinion), Kanye shouldn't have done that. That was classless and a total disrespect to not only Taylor but to her fans that voted (hello!!!) and Beyonce, because he had no right to stick her in the middle of it. I'm just glad that my wife saved the day and hopefully Kanye learns to keep his mouth closed.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm all for freedom of speech. But I'm also a huge proponent of class, and he had NONE! To get up there live and do that just shows that you can take someone out the hood, but you can't take the hood out someone. . .smh
Just in case you haven't seen it I posted the video blow. If you like to see it again, it's below. So watch and enjoy!
Now I love me some Rihanna. I feel like she has a wonderful voice, beautiful, trendsetter, and very talented. However, Rihanna's album include the "elite" of production and songwriting. The list includes:
-The Dream (writer/producer for Rihanna smash hit "Umbrella") -Tricky Stewart (producer for Beyonce's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)") -The Neptunes (they need no explanation. . .) -Ryan Tedder (co-writer/producer of Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love" and OneRepublic frontman) -Max Martin (producer of Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" as well as Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl") -Soulja Boy ("elite?" well i don't know about this one) -Justin Timberlake (singer/songwriter/producer) -Drake (new, hot emerging artist) -Sean Garrett (composed Chris Brown's "Run It", Usher's "Yeah", Ciara's "Goodies", and Beyonce's "Diva" and "Ring the Alarm") -Timbaland (legendary music producer) -Stargate (collaborated with Ne-Yo for Rihanna's "Unfaithful" and Beyonce's "Irreplaceable") -Kanye West -Tyson Ritter (All American Rejects' frontman) -James Fauntleroy (writer for Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown's "No Air" and Ciara's "Love Sex Magic") -Jay-Z (Hip hop legend)
Now this is the most expensive album in Def Jam's recording history. I hope that all goes well with Rihanna and this album proves to be groundbreaking in its own right. However, I have one question: When did music become not who the artist is but who they are working with (i.e. producers, songwriters, etc.)?
Although in my few years in this Earth, I remember a time when it was all about the artist. I remember anticipating a Mariah Carey single just to hear her hit that whistle tone. Or anticipating the amazing multi-octave range of Whitney Houston. Nowadays, it's not who you are but who you are working with. You're a nobody if you are not working with the best producers in the business. . .
Has the originality of the artist become secondary to a sure-fire hit? Is music essentially as Jamie Foxx said in Dreamgirls "meant to sell"?
Now I wish no ill will toward Rihanna and I will be buying her album when it is released, but I hope that all that "star power" doesn't outshine the talented Miss Rihanna. . .
But while you mellow on that for a bit, enjoy her new song "Te Amo" which is set to be released on her new album (whose name has yet to be released)
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