phunkdaddy said:

Well, Alicia Keys has been out more than two years (her debut album "Songs In A Minor" was dropped in 2001). However, I agree with you -- it's not like her music is so profound that it deserves this kind of recognition. IMO, she seems like a watered-down Roberta Flack wannabe. Or more recently, she seems like a current-day version of D'Angelo (another decent artist who received such incredible acclaim for not really doing anything profound).

Graycap23 said:

A lot of these awards are bought, and these shows are also really just ways to sell ad spots, so they'll give one to any person that will show up and bring ratings.

Someone compared her to D'Angelo. Toss D's records aside and you have a legit musician that can walk into any spot and entertain or sit in with a band. You can't say the same for Mister Nonsingin Nonplaying Keys.

She's Beyonce with more weight and three weeks of piano lessons.

Alicia has a charity that she talks about alot. She does big things in Africa and she even has a charity she works with in New York.

Besides her charity, she's one of the top selling black female artists at the moment AND she write, produces, and arranges her own music.

I do think that the award was given prematurely, but if they didn't give it to her as a young and current artist then who?? Beyonce? Usher?

sorry
[Edited 2/23/08 9:27am]

dragondayz said:

They all do.



No.

And her material is Sample City

Even if she was responsible for all that crap, it's nothing to brag about.


She's just like them.

Dance said:

I'm sorry but I don't hear anyone talk about their charity as much as Alicia.

90% of today's music is sample city. It may not be nothing to brag about but I admire her for not butchering the material like many producers and artists do. You hear admiration and respect in her music.

I'm not saying that she's any different from Beyonce and Usher. I'm just saying that if it wasn't her, they would have honored one of them, so in the end what difference does it make?

dragondayz said:

Who said Alicia Keys had to receive such an award? Since it seems like BET is trying to create its own version of The Kennedy Awards (which is how it came across to me), there are plenty of other people who could have been named.

So you got one of those payday loans for an exclusive thread, eh? lol

Let's not forget, I first hipped people to Raheem DeVaughn. Kinda regret it..lol

LittleAmy said:

it just seemed like they wanted to honor someone young and current. that' the impression i got.

dragondayz said:

I just read that Miley Cyrus is getting honored at the Oscars on Sunday!

LoveAlive said:

thank you! that's what i'm saying and i actually really like a. keyes but why do people sweat her??

Graycap23 said:

From my perspective it probably has a lot to do with the work she does in Africa and the youth work she does for AIDS. That sort of stuff doesn't seem to make good tv these days at home, so I'm not surprised few people would know she does that sort of thing. Since she began her career I've seen her on several youth oriented televison panels for forums on social issues, and she does a lot of benefits overseas. She seems pretty consistent with her global community service work even if it's just solo charity concerts to benefits AIDS or humanitarian causes for kids in small African villages I can't even pronounce...so yeah, I think it's things of that nature that would lead her to merit a BET honor for her age and career catagory.

LittleAmy said:

Absolutely. But substance doesn't sell French fries.

Graycap23 said:

I'm not sure, there's so much competition.

As you know, Alicia Keys has been heavily promoted by the machine as the next great legend from the very start. And now she is regularly mentioned in the same breath with the likes of Ray Charles.

It’s absolute nonsense. The mainstream trying to argue that it isn’t nearly as superficial as everyone claims. Of course if Alicia weren’t pretty, she wouldn't even be in a position to bring younger viewers to the advertisers.

But in an age where Justin Timberlake’s piano playing is shot like an actor in a film who needs a double, I guess she’s a legend! “I’m amazed, girl, tell me again about your classical piano training!”

I suppose it was also unfair to compare Prince to Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone and other giants back when he was releasing his first couple of albums (it’s very difficult to cultivate an audience when you’re new, especially today), but then he went on to create one of the greatest musical catalogs in history.

But I’m still hopeful that the real Alicia will someday shine through. But she’s already 28, and still there’s nothing to hang your hat on; unless, of course, again, you’re only measuring against the worst stereotypes.

Brendan said:

I actually feel sorry 4 her. Most people are starting 2 realize what she ISN'T.

Not to change where the topic is going, but did anyone see the Stevie Wonder performance? It was hawt how he played "Ebony Eyes" awesome song choice, considering the evening, and I loved As. That being said, I do admire Alicia Keys for her charitable works. As a musician, I like her work, despite the fact she isn't as talented as the people she aspires to be OR is hyped up to me. Its disappointing to see her play live at one event and the mime it at another, its embarrasing; if you're just going to sing, SING. In that sense yes, Alicia is a poser. Still like her music thou.

Graycap23 said:

That she isn't what?

I've noticed that the same people that didn't like her then, don't like her now.

dragondayz said:

I actually want 2 like her, but she constantly sings out of key and can't play a piano worth a damn. Her music is basically copied/borrowed from other songs. Other than that, she is great.

Graycap23 said:

Sorry but I strongly disagree about her not being able to p;lay piano. I think she can play but can't IMPROVISE worth a damn.

BlaqueKnight said:

I strongly agree with this part. She can't improvise on the piano or vocally. I wonder what that means?
[Edited 2/24/08 11:20am]

PANDURITO said:

They are being honored for their contributions to the music/entertainment industry. There was a time when we didn't see any shows honoring African-Americans for anything. I know everyone has their opinions on the signifance of this show and the people behind it, but at least we can turn on our tv sets and see a program honoring African-Americans, even if the honorees are not in agreement with everyone's tastes. I remember the days when there were no programs honoring African-Americans for anything.
[Edited 2/24/08 12:13pm]

2elijah said:

Preach it, sista.

2elijah said:

Not to mention there were awards shows, events and historical references that made a mockery at times of black contributors to entertainment, buisness, government, etc., and generally regarded them only in the context of their appeal to non-black people.
[Edited 2/24/08 12:53pm]

MuthaFunka said:

Case Closed

MuthaFunka said:

Agreed. A mind is terrible thing to waste on foolishness.

BlaqueKnight said:

At the rate things are going, you wouldn't put anything past them.

MuthaFunka said:

Co-sign!

Rhondab said: