DAY 150 GRAMMY CHASE: BEASTIES

One of my favorite groups, the equivalent of Rolling Stones of Hip Hop, thanks to Rick and Rush!! This is bad video quality but the other version is locked by user, again inhibiting the further spread of great music, another problem with the music industry. Best Rap Performance by a Group or Duo – 1998 – “Intergalactic”

DAY 149 GRAMMY CHASE: CEDRIC…NOT THE ENTERTAINER

Some people just need to stay in their lane and master their niche. Listening to this now, I’m sure that Warren G probably wrote this dudes rap, which doesn’t make it any more acceptable, because this joint was STRAIGHT UP wack!!….Warren G is a Grammy Nominated artist/producer, but that credit alone couldn’t bring success to this disaster.

DAY 148 GRAMMY CHASE: ANCIENT HARP

My mission is to learn and educate myself on various forms of music and worthwhile contributing musicians, which are mostly Grammy nominees and winners. During the process I come across some amazing talents, one of them is artist Mamadou Diabate, a master musician of the kora, a 21 string West African Harp instrument. Winner of the Best Traditional World Music Album Grammy, 2009 – Douga Mansa. His skill is incredible, as I’ve never even heard of a Kora before now, which is the ancient and probably first version of the contemporary harp of today.

DAY 147 GRAMMY CHASE: BIRDS OF A FEATHER

A Flock of Seagulls – “D.N.A.” as the Best Rock Instrumental Performance – 1982. I don’t remember that particular song that won the Grammy, however, I can’t forget how MTV from back in the day, saturated the screen with this video, the hit song that they are probably most recognized for: I RAN

DAY 146 GRAMMY CHASE: BLUES BOY KING

Blues Boy King, formerly The Beale Street Blues Boy was a radio DJ in Memphis who we now know as B.B. King. For years I’ve wondered what the B.B. stood for and never thought to look it up. His real name is Riley King, but as fate would have it, B.B. King is a much more swaggerific name.

The King received his first Grammy in 1971 – Best R&B Performance for “The Thrill is Gone,” but continued to win many more Grammy’s, even nabbing an award as recent as 2008. One of his sweetest accomplishments among many, was winning Best Traditional Blues Album in 2005 for his album entitled 80, celebrating his 80th Birthday. King once played 342 one-night stand gigs in 1956 at the age of 31. My grandmother LOVED B.B. King, especially because his famed-guitar “Lucille” was her namesake.

DAY 145 GRAMMY CHASE: GOO GOO GAGA

The woman that everyone seems to get tired of, yet never get enough of her as she reinvents herself with every appearance. My friends Trevor, Rameer, Jenn and I were talking about how brilliant of an artist and business man Akon is for finding value in her as she is now soaring into the atmosphere with no signs of slowing down.

Lady Gaga – Best Dance Recording – 2009: “Poker Face” and Best Electronic/Album – The Fame.

DAY 144 GRAMMY CHASE: UP!!!

The Composer’s and Engineers names may not be recognizable, but you will SURELY remember their music, as they scored the brilliant soundscape behind the Pixar movie UP. Michael Giacchino (composer) and Dan Wallin (engineer/mixer) won Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or any other Visual Media in 2009. A long title for a Grammy award, but an even longer lasting impression made with their contribution to the Pixar archive or fabulous family movies. The clip below is SOOO sad, and it’s incredible that such emotion can be communicated through a cartoon and musical composition.

DAY 143 GRAMMY CHASE: WHO’S HOUSE

Posting this, JUST because I can! I’m forever a RUN-DMC fan, period. They are my heros and there hasn’t been group with the likes of these brothers since. Not even the Wu-Tang with triple the number of members could give me the feeling that RUN-DMC and Jam Master Jay gave. I remember when I was about 14, my cousin Anthony borrowed his Mother’s Porshe 944, as he was supposed to get it washed, but we ended up driving up and down Bailey and around Delavan pumping the Tougher than Leather Album, with one of my favorites being “Run’s House.” Many years later, as a majority of people are aware of, Run’s House became the name of his reality show. To my knowledge, Run-DMC was nominated for a Grammy, but never a winner, but they are still the undisputed KINGS OF ROCK!!

Also, an extra special SALUTE to the Kings for bringing Hip Hop to the stage front and CENTER in the world of music. This performance was at the Grammy’s, and look how square and appalled the audience is. It’s hard to rock a show when the people aren’t giving you energy, but today, EVERYONE stands on their feet for the Hip Hop performances at the Grammy’s and thats partly in thanks to the Kings for paying the cost!!

DAY 142 GRAMMY CHASE: QUEEN CITY ROLLER DERBY

Enjoyed my first performance ever, at a full and all-out Roller Derby. Cute yet rough and tough woman on roller skates with cool nicknames and black and blue brushburns. Richie, Tone and I rocked three sets as the featured half-time and intermission entertainment. We were also joined by Deuce Ellis aka Yanewfavoriterapper making it his first roller derby show performance as well. I’m sure we’ll be invited back.

DAY 141 GRAMMY CHASE: HARDER BETTER FASTER

I’m not shocked by this find at all, considering Daft Punk is surely of of the most profound and recognized Electro-Dance music groups, I AM however wondering how two guys who never show their faces can make an acceptance speech for their Grammy. In 2008, their album Alive 2007 was awarded Best Electronic/Dance Album and they also won the Best Dance Recording award as well, at the 51st Grammy Award Show. I only wish I could have this much success and still be afforded the anonymity. I’m sure they saw a nice little chunk of change for the clearance sample that Kanye West used on his Grammy Song “Stronger.”