"On February 26th I lost my life, too."
February 16, 2016 7:31 AM Subscribe
"Minutes after Kendrick Lamar scored his fifth Grammy of the night for Best Rap Album, he won the stage. Performing a medley that included "Alright" and "The Blacker the Berry," he approached the microphone chained to other black men in a makeshift prison block. What followed was a Biggie-invoking, glow-in-the-dark, Fela!-inspired event fit for Broadway."
Fucking intense.
posted by entropone at 7:52 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by entropone at 7:52 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I caught that bit, Hamilton and Lady Gaga, feels like I basically got the best out the Grammys.
On the downside I also caught a fucking terrible episode of The X-Files.
posted by Artw at 7:57 AM on February 16, 2016
On the downside I also caught a fucking terrible episode of The X-Files.
posted by Artw at 7:57 AM on February 16, 2016
His performance was amazing. Even if the rest of the Grammys hadn't been a snoozefest, he would have blown the roof off the place. /hamiltrash here, no offense taken
posted by rtha at 7:59 AM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by rtha at 7:59 AM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
To Pimp a Butterfly was so good that I actually went and bought my first set of nice headphones so I could hear it in the best quality possible. It gives me chills. I really enjoy Taylor Swift too, but that she won the award over Lamar's album is laughable. Her's was fun- his was momentous.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:00 AM on February 16, 2016 [10 favorites]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:00 AM on February 16, 2016 [10 favorites]
Jethro Tull were robbed
posted by thelonius at 8:01 AM on February 16, 2016 [20 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 8:01 AM on February 16, 2016 [20 favorites]
I really liked the performance, but I thought the projected image at the end, of Africa with the word "Compton" on it, was a little strange. It's not really my place to approve or disapprove of such imagery, in any case. It just seemed a bit haphazard, as symbolism.
posted by clockzero at 8:02 AM on February 16, 2016
posted by clockzero at 8:02 AM on February 16, 2016
My Dad: Probably. IIRC, all Grammy performances, along with most tightly scheduled award shows, are lip-synched. This way, nothing can go long, and if something goes wrong, most people won't notice.
posted by SansPoint at 8:07 AM on February 16, 2016
posted by SansPoint at 8:07 AM on February 16, 2016
Guessing not lip-synched because there were several performers being out of tune/having audio issues all show long.
posted by agress at 8:08 AM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by agress at 8:08 AM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
I caught that bit, Hamilton and Lady Gaga, feels like I basically got the best out the Grammys.
Not to derail, but I was so disappointed with Lady Gaga. I was really looking forward to her tribute, but it was superficial and cartoonish. I also can't believe he didn't get The Hammer on the In Memoriam.
Alabama Shakes was also amazing, but I feel like that song has been out for three years now.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:09 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Not to derail, but I was so disappointed with Lady Gaga. I was really looking forward to her tribute, but it was superficial and cartoonish. I also can't believe he didn't get The Hammer on the In Memoriam.
Alabama Shakes was also amazing, but I feel like that song has been out for three years now.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:09 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
SansPoint: IIRC, all Grammy performances, along with most tightly scheduled award shows, are lip-synched. This way, nothing can go long, and if something goes wrong, most people won't notice.”
Somebody probably should have told Adele.
posted by koeselitz at 8:09 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Somebody probably should have told Adele.
posted by koeselitz at 8:09 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I really liked the performance, but I thought the projected image at the end, of Africa with the word "Compton" on it, was a little strange. It's not really my place to approve or disapprove of such imagery, in any case. It just seemed a bit haphazard, as symbolism.
My read of his staging for "We Gon' Be Alright" with the bonfire and African dancers was that he was putting the past 400 years of Black experiences in the US in the much larger, broader context of African and African-diaspora history globally, which he underscored with the placement of Compton in the middle of Africa.
posted by pocketfullofrye at 8:11 AM on February 16, 2016 [33 favorites]
My read of his staging for "We Gon' Be Alright" with the bonfire and African dancers was that he was putting the past 400 years of Black experiences in the US in the much larger, broader context of African and African-diaspora history globally, which he underscored with the placement of Compton in the middle of Africa.
posted by pocketfullofrye at 8:11 AM on February 16, 2016 [33 favorites]
Great stuff. That's Kamasi Washington on sax, right?
posted by soundofsuburbia at 8:13 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by soundofsuburbia at 8:13 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yesterday, Mr. Sophie and I watched the Saturday Night Live (DVRed) from Saturday with Kanye West. Immediately following, we watched the Kendrick Lamar performance on the Grammys. Lamar's performance was astounding, beautiful, painful and meaningful. West's (who thinks he is the greatest artist ever, is that right?) was confusing, at moments meaningful and pretty and at moments, completely narcissistic chaos.
It was just interesting to see them, one after the other. Especially considering West's opinion of himself and other artists. I even feel bad comparing the two, but that's exactly how we watched them last night, so it was hard not to compare in the moment.
posted by Sophie1 at 8:17 AM on February 16, 2016
It was just interesting to see them, one after the other. Especially considering West's opinion of himself and other artists. I even feel bad comparing the two, but that's exactly how we watched them last night, so it was hard not to compare in the moment.
posted by Sophie1 at 8:17 AM on February 16, 2016
I watched most of the Grammys, and there were sound issues throughout (the worst was Adele's piano mic problems). With several performers, including Gaga and Lamar, the vocals were so muddied that it was impossible to understand any words at all.
Lamar's performance was visually powerful though.
posted by yesster at 8:18 AM on February 16, 2016
Lamar's performance was visually powerful though.
posted by yesster at 8:18 AM on February 16, 2016
West's (who thinks he is the greatest artist ever, is that right?) was confusing, at moments meaningful and pretty and at moments, completely narcissistic chaos.
I haven't seen his SNL performance, but if his Twitter is any indication Kanye seems like he's having a manic episode or something similar right now. I'm a Kanye fan, though not always a defender, but right now I'm just hoping he's okay.
On the downside I also caught a fucking terrible episode of The X-Files.
I watched Taylor's opener (which was fine and I like the new hair cut), then X-Files and couldn't help but think that they were expecting me to stay on the Grammy's because what was that? It wasn't great, but it was mostly fucking weird.
Anyway, I'm glad I caught Kendrick Lamar's thing today because that was really powerful. Certainly better than the X-Files's facile take on terrorism.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:24 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I haven't seen his SNL performance, but if his Twitter is any indication Kanye seems like he's having a manic episode or something similar right now. I'm a Kanye fan, though not always a defender, but right now I'm just hoping he's okay.
On the downside I also caught a fucking terrible episode of The X-Files.
I watched Taylor's opener (which was fine and I like the new hair cut), then X-Files and couldn't help but think that they were expecting me to stay on the Grammy's because what was that? It wasn't great, but it was mostly fucking weird.
Anyway, I'm glad I caught Kendrick Lamar's thing today because that was really powerful. Certainly better than the X-Files's facile take on terrorism.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 8:24 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
My boss immediately compared Kendrick Lamar to Kanye, which I think is a perfect framing for it. Kanye is obsessed with himself, telling everyone how hard it is to be him. Kendrick blew my fucking mind last night. That was about justice, and time, and rage, and beauty, and grace. Kanye needs to go sulk in his fucking Adidas for the next few years and try to figure it out.
posted by nevercalm at 8:36 AM on February 16, 2016
posted by nevercalm at 8:36 AM on February 16, 2016
What followed was a Biggie-invoking, glow-in-the-dark, Fela!-inspired event fit for Broadway.
I first heard about it when someone posted it to Facebook and the first comment on the post was that the performance was 'hateful'. I didn't make it an hour into my day without entering what will be a week-long period of rage.
posted by tofu_crouton at 8:37 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
I first heard about it when someone posted it to Facebook and the first comment on the post was that the performance was 'hateful'. I didn't make it an hour into my day without entering what will be a week-long period of rage.
posted by tofu_crouton at 8:37 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
nevercalm: "My boss immediately compared Kendrick Lamar to Kanye, which I think is a perfect framing for it. Kanye is obsessed with himself, telling everyone how hard it is to be him. Kendrick blew my fucking mind last night. That was about justice, and time, and rage, and beauty, and grace. Kanye needs to go sulk in his fucking Adidas for the next few years and try to figure it out."
How the fuck is this discussion gonna be about chastising Kanye West? Come on, people.
posted by boo_radley at 8:39 AM on February 16, 2016 [40 favorites]
How the fuck is this discussion gonna be about chastising Kanye West? Come on, people.
posted by boo_radley at 8:39 AM on February 16, 2016 [40 favorites]
Just watched it and still processing but man that was an amazing performance. Is there some Grammy rule about not dancing? Because why was anyone still sitting by the time he got to "Be All Right? "
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:40 AM on February 16, 2016
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:40 AM on February 16, 2016
The crowd shots at the end were so enlightening.
posted by Faintdreams at 8:42 AM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by Faintdreams at 8:42 AM on February 16, 2016 [6 favorites]
I tracked down this SNL skit entitled 'The Day Beyonce Turned White' and I'm feeling like it has some resonance in this thread too.
Enjoy.
'SNL: The Day Beyonce Turned White'
posted by Faintdreams at 8:43 AM on February 16, 2016 [8 favorites]
Enjoy.
'SNL: The Day Beyonce Turned White'
posted by Faintdreams at 8:43 AM on February 16, 2016 [8 favorites]
Kendrick was fucking amazing, yeah.
I don't watch the Grammys for several reasons. Awards shows in general bug the shit out of me, but the Grammys in particular: As the blue pointed out last year, nothing could be less metal than giving a shit about the Grammys. Which is frustrating, because live music is probably the performing art that I care the most about, especially when the artist writes their own stuff. But it's still a bullshit Hollywood back-patting festival.
That said, I watched Kendrick on a YouTube clip, and damn if this wasn't spectacular. Taylor's acceptance speech popped up immediately after. I thought it was classy and I was damn glad to see it. Every time people try to tear her down, I wind up with more respect for her. And it's even better to see her respond without naming them, because fuck 'em anyway.
But the thing I searched out was the Lemmy tribute, 'cause I was curious to see if the Grammys would even do anything there at all. Whatever was said about him I didn't find, but I did turn up the "performance," and...yeah. Exactly the kind of disappointing shit I expect out of the Grammys. That song just isn't for Alice, but even more so, using Lemmy's tribute as a debut for Johnny Depp's band--and making a medley out of it or whatever the hell that was--bugged the shit out of me. Self-indulgent Hollywood bullshit, and exactly what I knew I should've expected.
Kendrick was great. My contempt for the institution remains. I wish it were otherwise.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:46 AM on February 16, 2016
I don't watch the Grammys for several reasons. Awards shows in general bug the shit out of me, but the Grammys in particular: As the blue pointed out last year, nothing could be less metal than giving a shit about the Grammys. Which is frustrating, because live music is probably the performing art that I care the most about, especially when the artist writes their own stuff. But it's still a bullshit Hollywood back-patting festival.
That said, I watched Kendrick on a YouTube clip, and damn if this wasn't spectacular. Taylor's acceptance speech popped up immediately after. I thought it was classy and I was damn glad to see it. Every time people try to tear her down, I wind up with more respect for her. And it's even better to see her respond without naming them, because fuck 'em anyway.
But the thing I searched out was the Lemmy tribute, 'cause I was curious to see if the Grammys would even do anything there at all. Whatever was said about him I didn't find, but I did turn up the "performance," and...yeah. Exactly the kind of disappointing shit I expect out of the Grammys. That song just isn't for Alice, but even more so, using Lemmy's tribute as a debut for Johnny Depp's band--and making a medley out of it or whatever the hell that was--bugged the shit out of me. Self-indulgent Hollywood bullshit, and exactly what I knew I should've expected.
Kendrick was great. My contempt for the institution remains. I wish it were otherwise.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:46 AM on February 16, 2016
Not to derail, but I was so disappointed with Lady Gaga. I was really looking forward to her tribute, but it was superficial and cartoonish.
I expected a superficial and cartoonish tribute to Bowie from the Grammys; I didn't expect Gaga to fuck it up, especially to fuck it up in exactly the most expected way.
posted by Etrigan at 8:51 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I expected a superficial and cartoonish tribute to Bowie from the Grammys; I didn't expect Gaga to fuck it up, especially to fuck it up in exactly the most expected way.
posted by Etrigan at 8:51 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Kendrick's problem is that he is just so far beyond what pop music rewards – talent, message, execution – that the Grammys don't know what to make of him. He's clearly in a league of his own compared with everything else from that awards show, it's just silly.
posted by nushustu at 8:55 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by nushustu at 8:55 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
I dispise these award shows and so all I had to do was skim a place or two on the net this morning and I got the Hamilton, Lamar, and Lady GaGa videos and voila, the good stuff and a lot of time saved.
posted by Postroad at 8:55 AM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Postroad at 8:55 AM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
He's clearly in a league of his own compared with everything else from that awards show, it's just silly.
I have to wonder how many artists in that crowd were watching & wishing their producers and their labels would actually let them take risks & innovate like this.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:58 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
I have to wonder how many artists in that crowd were watching & wishing their producers and their labels would actually let them take risks & innovate like this.
posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:58 AM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
Yes, one thousand times yes. "He's clearly in a league of his own compared with everything else from that awards show, it's just silly."
posted by pwinn at 9:15 AM on February 16, 2016
posted by pwinn at 9:15 AM on February 16, 2016
While Gaga's performance definitely left something to be desired, there was no doubt in my mind she is a true, true fan and really admired him deeply.
posted by Windigo at 9:16 AM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Windigo at 9:16 AM on February 16, 2016 [4 favorites]
Though I guess Duncan Jones did NOT appreciate the performance.
posted by Windigo at 9:27 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Windigo at 9:27 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
This thread has me resolved to give Lamar's album a second listen. I went through it once during my "catch up on last year's Best Of lists" sessions and I didn't care for it. It seems like there are some layers there I missed. Ok, it's on the docket.
posted by freecellwizard at 9:41 AM on February 16, 2016
posted by freecellwizard at 9:41 AM on February 16, 2016
Yeah that performance was high art. No need to chastise Kanye, but that cemented for me that Kendrick is the most important rapper alive right now, and we should focus on celebrating what he's doing. That last image made me literally fall out of my chair.
I was way more confused by people using the performance to bludgeon Hamiliton. First of all: they are totally different art forms, it's like, yelling Take That Whiplash! after a great jazz show. Second: Hamiliton is great, if you think rap needs defending against it or if it is nerdy white people music you are silly and don't know what you are talking about.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:11 AM on February 16, 2016 [13 favorites]
I was way more confused by people using the performance to bludgeon Hamiliton. First of all: they are totally different art forms, it's like, yelling Take That Whiplash! after a great jazz show. Second: Hamiliton is great, if you think rap needs defending against it or if it is nerdy white people music you are silly and don't know what you are talking about.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:11 AM on February 16, 2016 [13 favorites]
I thought it was a tremendous transition to go from Hamilton to Kendrick. I mean, talk about a statement about America now. A musical about America's founding fathers rooted in hip hop, with almost all of the roles played by people of color, to that absolutely searing performance from Kendrick Lamar, which was theatrical too in the best way. All I can do is sort of gesture wildly at those two performances, played back to back, and say "Look! Look at how awesome this is!!!!" I'm sure someone will be writing a hot take think piece about it, but I'm just still in awe. The whole bloated mess of a show was worth it for that.
As an aside, has anyone been to any of Kendrick Lamar's concerts? Is this kind of staging/performance the norm for him, or was this unique and/or a new artistic statement from him? Because I was struck not only by the power of the music, which has been evident since he released the album, but also by the sheer force and clarity of the staging. Like, damn, I'd watch a Kendrick Lamar musical.
posted by yasaman at 10:38 AM on February 16, 2016 [15 favorites]
As an aside, has anyone been to any of Kendrick Lamar's concerts? Is this kind of staging/performance the norm for him, or was this unique and/or a new artistic statement from him? Because I was struck not only by the power of the music, which has been evident since he released the album, but also by the sheer force and clarity of the staging. Like, damn, I'd watch a Kendrick Lamar musical.
posted by yasaman at 10:38 AM on February 16, 2016 [15 favorites]
I watched the Grammys for the first time ever last night (Hamilfan here), and was astounded by Kendrick's performance, and immediately downloaded all of his music.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:09 AM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 11:09 AM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
That was amazing. What a beautiful and powerful performance.
posted by defenestration at 11:13 AM on February 16, 2016
posted by defenestration at 11:13 AM on February 16, 2016
Tony Visconti on Bowie choosing to listen to Kendrick Lamar as inspiration.
"For Blackstar, he was determined to do something very different. "We were listening to a lot of Kendrick Lamar," says Visconti. "We wound up with nothing like that, but we loved the fact Kendrick was so open-minded and he didn't do a straight-up hip-hop record. He threw everything on there, and that's exactly what we wanted to do. The goal, in many, many ways, was to avoid rock & roll."
posted by merocet at 11:13 AM on February 16, 2016 [15 favorites]
"For Blackstar, he was determined to do something very different. "We were listening to a lot of Kendrick Lamar," says Visconti. "We wound up with nothing like that, but we loved the fact Kendrick was so open-minded and he didn't do a straight-up hip-hop record. He threw everything on there, and that's exactly what we wanted to do. The goal, in many, many ways, was to avoid rock & roll."
posted by merocet at 11:13 AM on February 16, 2016 [15 favorites]
Comparing Kendrick and Kanye is silly and misses the point both artists are trying to make. But really, the only thing I care about from last night is crowning Brittany Howard the Queen of Rock and Roll. I look forward to many many more years of seeing her on that stage.
posted by billyfleetwood at 11:13 AM on February 16, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by billyfleetwood at 11:13 AM on February 16, 2016 [8 favorites]
You almost made me spit coffee all over my keyboard, TWF.
posted by rtha at 11:42 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by rtha at 11:42 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was way more confused by people using the performance to bludgeon Hamiliton.
Yeah, I don't even understand why anybody would contrast them at all.
All I can do is sort of gesture wildly at those two performances, played back to back, and say "Look! Look at how awesome this is!!!!"
Exactly so. And then the great acceptance speech from Lin too. The only thing thing ruining that entire sequence was Seth MacFarlane. Talk about a combo breaker.
posted by kmz at 11:46 AM on February 16, 2016
Yeah, I don't even understand why anybody would contrast them at all.
All I can do is sort of gesture wildly at those two performances, played back to back, and say "Look! Look at how awesome this is!!!!"
Exactly so. And then the great acceptance speech from Lin too. The only thing thing ruining that entire sequence was Seth MacFarlane. Talk about a combo breaker.
posted by kmz at 11:46 AM on February 16, 2016
On the downside I also caught a fucking terrible episode of The X-Files.
Yeah but... Mulder on shrooms!
posted by wyndham at 11:48 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Yeah but... Mulder on shrooms!
posted by wyndham at 11:48 AM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Nardwuar vs Kendrick Lamar
I can't fucking stand Nardwuar, and it's a relief to say it outside Vancouver where the guy just had a stroke and is a hometown hero and so on. But I just can't bear his upbeat weirdo tam-o-shanter persona and his interviews are excruciating exercises in sympathetic embarrassment.
Kendrick Lamar, on the other hand, is a genius.
posted by jokeefe at 1:00 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
I can't fucking stand Nardwuar, and it's a relief to say it outside Vancouver where the guy just had a stroke and is a hometown hero and so on. But I just can't bear his upbeat weirdo tam-o-shanter persona and his interviews are excruciating exercises in sympathetic embarrassment.
Kendrick Lamar, on the other hand, is a genius.
posted by jokeefe at 1:00 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
That new untitled one is fresh! I really wish he'd put all his untitled stuff into a compilation like right now. I've been too lazy to rip it so I've just been going to 4:07 of this Colbert Report clip for the only performance of that song that I've seen/heard.
posted by numaner at 1:08 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by numaner at 1:08 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
his interviews are excruciating exercises in sympathetic embarrassment
I had never heard of him before, and just reading his Wikipedia page is making me cringe painfully. Hope he's well and all but, yikes.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:10 PM on February 16, 2016
I had never heard of him before, and just reading his Wikipedia page is making me cringe painfully. Hope he's well and all but, yikes.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:10 PM on February 16, 2016
Yeah but... Mulder on shrooms!
Which consisted of imagining himself dancing to "Achy Breaky Heart", may I remind you.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:12 PM on February 16, 2016
Which consisted of imagining himself dancing to "Achy Breaky Heart", may I remind you.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:12 PM on February 16, 2016
Hey there, easy with the X-Files spoilers y'all.
posted by Rock Steady at 1:14 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 1:14 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
He's clearly in a league of his own compared with everything else from that awards show, it's just silly.
Hey now, D'Angelo was there too (and also winning!). Also, everyone involved in that absolutely choice B.B. King tribute.
It was laughable to hear Taylor Swift's name called out after Kendrick Lamar's performance. Just ridiculous.
posted by sallybrown at 1:35 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Hey now, D'Angelo was there too (and also winning!). Also, everyone involved in that absolutely choice B.B. King tribute.
It was laughable to hear Taylor Swift's name called out after Kendrick Lamar's performance. Just ridiculous.
posted by sallybrown at 1:35 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
This seems tone-deaf as fuck, given Kendrick Lamar and Hamilton.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:16 PM on February 16, 2016
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 2:16 PM on February 16, 2016
"I was really looking forward to [Lady Gaga's] tribute, but it was superficial and cartoonish."
Wait, Rock Steady, is this not, uhhh, like, her usual...thing...?
posted by Mooseli at 2:30 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Wait, Rock Steady, is this not, uhhh, like, her usual...thing...?
posted by Mooseli at 2:30 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I am really embarrassed to admit this as a (casual) hip hop fan, but last night was the first time I really got the genius of Kendrick Lamar. It felt like he was on a totally different stage from the whole rest of the show, like he was coming from a different universe. It made it almost worth it to watch the rest of the snoozefest (with the exception of Hamilton, of course!), so I could see it live, while it happened. So powerful.
And yeah, I am like the definition of Hamiltrash, but this was more exciting.
posted by lunasol at 3:41 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
And yeah, I am like the definition of Hamiltrash, but this was more exciting.
posted by lunasol at 3:41 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I listened to 1989 on the way home, and it was nice! I liked it. I like a good pop album.
But yeah, Kendrick Lamar is in a different universe entirely. To Pimp a Butterfly is not nice, and I don't "like" it - I am amazed by it, blown away by it, astonished by it.
posted by rtha at 5:12 PM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
But yeah, Kendrick Lamar is in a different universe entirely. To Pimp a Butterfly is not nice, and I don't "like" it - I am amazed by it, blown away by it, astonished by it.
posted by rtha at 5:12 PM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
Hint: if you like 1989 pick up the CHVRCHES back catalogue as it's the same thing only much better.
posted by Artw at 5:20 PM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Artw at 5:20 PM on February 16, 2016 [5 favorites]
Not to derail, but I was so disappointed with Lady Gaga. I was really looking forward to her tribute, but it was superficial and cartoonish.
It was the same event that paid tribute to Joe Strummer with a tribute led by the bass player from no doubt.
The grammys have always been fucking lame. Useless awards for future grocery store muzak that's appreciated by marketers with no taste except for sales to people who aren't particularly into music.
Jay-Z, in his marvelously crossover career as a rap marketer decided it was important he got those plaques, since hip-hop was underrepresented. It was because, again, the grammys are decided by the same dicks who make those "rolling stones best 100 bands EVAR", and Jay wanted to be on that spot (and obvs kanye too).
It influenced a generation, though. Creative people have cared about the grammys for ten+ years, but it's still the same shithouse it was when they picked Tull over and justice for all.
Good set by Kendrick. I never got into TPAB, aesthetically, it seemed like he was trying to do Kanyes "new slaves", video, which like almost everything kanye is inflammatory on the surface, but ends up being about a selfish dude taking about himself.
Kendrick is a great MC, no question, and this reminded me of his old Rigamortis vid, but some of this production reminds me of a PT Anderson movie: mistaking technical competence and commercial success for profundity.
I'll give TPAB another go, GKMC was great, and ADHD/turn me up and the like after still on the playlist.
And Hiiipower, yall know that was a Black Hippy thing back in the day, right?
posted by lkc at 8:04 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
It was the same event that paid tribute to Joe Strummer with a tribute led by the bass player from no doubt.
The grammys have always been fucking lame. Useless awards for future grocery store muzak that's appreciated by marketers with no taste except for sales to people who aren't particularly into music.
Jay-Z, in his marvelously crossover career as a rap marketer decided it was important he got those plaques, since hip-hop was underrepresented. It was because, again, the grammys are decided by the same dicks who make those "rolling stones best 100 bands EVAR", and Jay wanted to be on that spot (and obvs kanye too).
It influenced a generation, though. Creative people have cared about the grammys for ten+ years, but it's still the same shithouse it was when they picked Tull over and justice for all.
Good set by Kendrick. I never got into TPAB, aesthetically, it seemed like he was trying to do Kanyes "new slaves", video, which like almost everything kanye is inflammatory on the surface, but ends up being about a selfish dude taking about himself.
Kendrick is a great MC, no question, and this reminded me of his old Rigamortis vid, but some of this production reminds me of a PT Anderson movie: mistaking technical competence and commercial success for profundity.
I'll give TPAB another go, GKMC was great, and ADHD/turn me up and the like after still on the playlist.
And Hiiipower, yall know that was a Black Hippy thing back in the day, right?
posted by lkc at 8:04 PM on February 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I caught an interview with main JEthro Tull man Ian Anderson a few years back where he said he didn't for a moment think they'd win, was mystified as to why they were nominated and indeed found the whole thing a joke. No one from the band even showed up for the show.
posted by philip-random at 9:08 PM on February 16, 2016
posted by philip-random at 9:08 PM on February 16, 2016
Yeah, love Tull, not much of a metallica fan, but seriously we're talking a significant/seminal metal album, vs some fucking album by a band that some dicks liked in the 70s.
AND the only point of bringing that up is how fucking stupid the grammys are.
AJFA didn't lose to thick as a brick, or aqualung. It lost to an album no one cares about.
posted by lkc at 9:27 PM on February 16, 2016
AND the only point of bringing that up is how fucking stupid the grammys are.
AJFA didn't lose to thick as a brick, or aqualung. It lost to an album no one cares about.
posted by lkc at 9:27 PM on February 16, 2016
I see there's already a Kendrick Lamar thread for today, might as well just put this here:
Why I dropped everything and started teaching Kendrick Lamar's new album by High Tech High's Brian Mooney
and
A visit from Kendrick Lamar — Best day of school ever?
posted by carsonb at 10:23 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
Why I dropped everything and started teaching Kendrick Lamar's new album by High Tech High's Brian Mooney
and
A visit from Kendrick Lamar — Best day of school ever?
posted by carsonb at 10:23 PM on February 16, 2016 [3 favorites]
Jay wanted to be on that spot (and obvs kanye too).
I've often been struck by the fact that the two artists I know who care most about awards seem to be Taylor and Kanye (not meant as a criticism, as I am a pretty big fan of both of them). Kanye cares deeply about awards going to the right person (often, but not exclusively, himself) and Taylor campaigns relentlessly on social media for the awards people can vote on. I don't think it's a coincidence that it's an award stage where they encountered each other.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 10:15 AM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
I've often been struck by the fact that the two artists I know who care most about awards seem to be Taylor and Kanye (not meant as a criticism, as I am a pretty big fan of both of them). Kanye cares deeply about awards going to the right person (often, but not exclusively, himself) and Taylor campaigns relentlessly on social media for the awards people can vote on. I don't think it's a coincidence that it's an award stage where they encountered each other.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 10:15 AM on February 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Rock Steady at 7:43 AM on February 16, 2016 [2 favorites]