DAY 180 GRAMMY CHASE: A STEP CLOSER TO…

GMA is out. Record Theatre on Main and Lafayette in Buffalo, NY is now carrying GMA. “Shut the Gate” video is now available on Youtube for your viewing pleasure. “Just Doin’ It” is on its way to being delivered and made public in a matter of weeks with a third video in the drafting stages. Its bubbling!!

DAY 179 GRAMMY CHASE: SHUT THE GATE

Good Morning Amy officially released on June 22 with great reception. Today marks the release of the Worldwide video debut of “Shut the Gate”, directed by Kevin Lopez. Be on the look out for the follow up video “Just Doin’ It.”

Props to the JustOffElmwood blog for leaking the video last friday. I likes!!!

DAY 178 GRAMMY CHASE: NICKI

Best New Artist for 2010 BET Awards? Precisely why I’m pursuing Grammy’s and not BET Awards and her face pretty much sums up my facial expression to such madness. I can’t even applaud her, as she is soooo far from a standard of say a Queen Latifah, which is a pretty high set bar.

DAY 177 GRAMMY CHASE: HOW DEEP

I wasn’t quite old enough to dig this song upon its release, however I do remember hearing my Mom play it frequently around the house. Great arrangement, lyrics, production etc, and I truly appreciated this style over the saturated “disco” music of the late 70’s. The year was 1977, so in honor of the year, today is the one hundred and seventy-seventh day of the Chase.

Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Group – How Deep is Your Love – The Bee Gees.

DAY 176 GRAMMY CHASE: PURPLE

I’m way behind in my “Chasing” only due to being preoccupied with GMA’s launch. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do, so lets pick it right back up with Prince, born Prince, then to formerly known as and back to his birth name. The year was 1984 when he won his first Grammy, of which he now has several. I’m not sure how many artists were making movies and making an album the entire soundtrack before Prince, but he killed it with Purple Rain, and album and movie that undoubtedly bronzed him into the landscape of great music.

Best Album Of Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special – Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution.

DAY 175 GRAMMY CHASE: NIGHT OF GMA

Words truly can’t explain, but it’s said that a picture says a thousand words and it’s clear what this picture says. Courtesy © of Joe Cascio.

DAY 172 – 174 GRAMMY CHASE: SWEET DREAMS

Day 172 through Day 174 of the Grammy Chase, from the outside may seem like absenteeism and I honestly feel like I’m cheating by bundling, but this week has been all about preparation for the Good Morning Amy launch. The Album was made available on Day 173, or June 22 to great reception. The days previous were all media related as we were scrambling about trying to tie up loose ends. Today however is THE DAY. All that I could think of was “Sweet Dreams,” as the day of the release of Good Morning Amy is finally here. Tonight is the release party for which I’ve been waiting for with great anticipation.

My love to you all, whether you are in attendance or not. Thank you!!

And of course the video/song of inspiration. May you have Sweet Dreams!!!

DAY 171 GRAMMY CHASE: FATHERS DAY

One hundred and Seventy One days lands on Father’s Day. I’m not big on calendar dates whatsoever and I hate to bust someone else’s ideals, so I keep quite most times and let people have their moments. I’ve gotten plenty of texts and emails wishing me a Happy Father’s Day, but truly its more annoying than warming. I’m a father each and everyday and handle the responsibilities of being a father everyday as well, so to get a flood of “Happy Father’s Day” wishes in various forms is very irritating as I’m not seeking any reward or pat on the back for something that I decided on and willingly signed up for. Instead of waiting for one particularly indicated day on a calendar, call that MAN, that role model, that father-figure and tell him he is appreciated on what seems to be a random and ordinary day, THAT will become Father’s Day with that special acknowledgement right at that moment.

In other news, though not Grammy related, I leave you with Ed O.G. with this timeless classic.

DAY 170 GRAMMY CHASE: DOC – FUNKY

I was recently having a conversation with a young man that I’m beginning to mentor and he was listing some of his favorite rappers and who he thinks is better than the other. He was saying how J. Cole is better than Drake and how Lil Wayne is hot, but he really isn’t feeling like he is dope for what he says, but that there is a lot of hype behind him. I brought some current rappers and even admitted that I don’t own one single Jay-Z album which is a shame, but honestly more of a jealous competitive decision to never buy and sit with one of the 10 or more classic albums, NUMBER 1 albums that he’s dropped.

Then we went further into the conversation and I brought up the fact that for a Southern rapper, Ludacris can give any upstate or east coast rapper a run for their money. One of the things we both agreed on was the fact that Luda had a dope voice and was very distinguishable. I then pointed out that I heard and saw with my own ears and eyes, in an interview with Luda, that he has insurance coverage on his voice as it is his means of living, which I thought was brilliant. Now, seeing as how my mentee is only 18, I figured that he wouldn’t remember one of the dopest rappers to ever touch the mic from the West Coast, originally by way of Texas, the D.O.C., so I thought to post this for him, because in light of Ludacris’ voice insurance, I only wish that such an option was considered so many years ago when the D.O.C. lost the complete range and full use of his original voice due to a near fatal accident, also making me think about how fortunate Kanye West is as well in surviving his accident. So, Jordan, this song is for you bro. DiG!

DAY 169 GRAMMY CHASE: FUGEES 1996

The year was 1996 and what an great time for music and Hip Hop. The Fugees, starring or featuring one of the greatest if not THE greatest female emcees. I’m up late working and up early……working!! My overtime fuel has been The Score album. I’m listening to it and feeling like I’m in a time warp, as if I haven’t aged because I feel the exact same feelings as when I first bought the Cd. The fact that Rah-Digga was just as ill on the mic as Lauryn. The fact that I’m still not quite sure what Praz’s function or contribution was, as he certainly wasn’t the lyrical one. The fact that the skit at the 1:45 mark on “The Beast” with the Chinese Muslim restaurant, is STILL hilarious. “You think I open a restaurant in the middle of the hood and not no what’s up…F*&$% Represent!”

Well, in light of my personal quest of a presenting a classic masterpiece with Good Morning Amy, I find great inspiration in “The Score.”
Best Rap Album – The Score. Best R&B Performance by a Duo or a Group – Killing Me Softly With His Song, 1996.