Did Chris Brown buy his Grammy award? Sure looks like it after it was discovered the R&B singer has direct ties to Ken Ehrlich, the producer behind the Grammys. The producer defended Brown’s involvement in the ceremony on CBS This Morning after the whole incident was made public.

However, an insider says that there’s more to this story than a small endorsement on Ehrlich’s behalf. A source close to Brown has forwarded e-mails that were exchanged between Brown and Ehrlich to Neil Portnow, who is the President of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

These e-mails in question that have been passing back and forth between the R&B star and the Grammy head were said to be riddled with bribery. The e-mails “practically begged” to secure the golden award for Brown in lieu of Brown giving, “a substantial amount of money.” The amount of money wasn’t disclosed by this insider who’s close to Chris Brown’s camp, but it was said that “Ehrlich was subsequently terminated, after many years of being involved with deliberating which of the past decades’ talents were worthy.”

The firing of Ehrlich is a little more than coincidental given the nature of his firing was said to be over “indiscretion and violation of the Academy’s ethics and integrity in rewarding talent.” Neil Portnow, the President of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences released a statement following the firing stating, “With almost ten years of being President for The Academy, I would have never predicted that this would happen. My lack of blessing for Chris’ nomination was known, but as I’ve always respected by colleagues’ insights, I mustered all I could not to fight it so much. I have worked alongside Ken for years now, and I am heavily disappointed, and will have to raise the conduct around this board. will see to it that nothing of this caliber of humiliation will happen again.”

Chris Brown’s publicist and Ehrlich haven’t released any comments after the firing.

Update: Chris Brown’s PR team is now adamantly denying this story ever happened, saying every detail related to the firing and the bribe is “bogus.”

What do you think? Did Chris Brown pay for his Grammy or is he innocent?

This doesn't surprise me one bit.

Not surprised..

I always thought something was up with that Ken dude. He's just as bad as the guy that gave Milli Vanilli their Grammy.

I always thought Ken Erhlich just produced the awards show. Looks like he was a voting member with plenty of clout.

"My lack of blessing for Chris’ nomination was known, but as I’ve always respected by colleagues’ insights, I mustered all I could not to fight it so much."

[Edited 5/29/12 13:16pm]

I wouldn't be surprised. Chris is buying his way up the ladder to save what he calls a career. lmao

Musicslave said:

I always thought Ken Erlich just produced the awards show. Looks like he was a voting member with plenty of clout.

"My lack of blessing for Chris’ nomination was known, but as I’ve always respected by colleagues’ insights, I mustered all I could not to fight it so much."

He was quite influential if his vote outweighed the President of the Academy.

And his firing could change the environment of the entire Grammy organization. Big news.

babybugz said:

I wouldn't be surprised. Chris is buying his way up the ladder to save what he calls a career. lmao

I remember going to boards after Chris won his Grammy and some were like "the fix is in!"

Lies.

until there is OFFICIAL word from the Grammies this is a RUMOR. or a PR stunt for ole bois forthcoming CD

Timmy84 said:

Musicslave said:

I always thought Ken Erlich just produced the awards show. Looks like he was a voting member with plenty of clout.

"My lack of blessing for Chris’ nomination was known, but as I’ve always respected by colleagues’ insights, I mustered all I could not to fight it so much."

He was quite influential if his vote outweighed the President of the Academy.

And his firing could change the environment of the entire Grammy organization. Big news.

Yup... They've already reduced the number of nomination categories. Looks like Neil should have stuck to his guns. He too probably gave in on the aspect of having Chris perform live would be good for ratings. He's not completely innocent here.

Milli Vanilli...

getxxxx said:

until there is OFFICIAL word from the Grammies this is a RUMOR. or a PR stunt for ole bois forthcoming CD

Whether this story is true or not, I could easily see this happening on a regular basis. Look at the winner's list from the past decade or more. Surely it's not based on artistic merit.

Musicslave said:

Timmy84 said:

And his firing could change the environment of the entire Grammy organization. Big news.

Yup... They've already reduced the number of nomination categories. Looks like Neil should have stuck to his guns. He too probably gave in on the aspect of having Chris perform live would be good for ratings. He's not completely innocent here.

True.

THERE IS NO TRUTH IN THIS FAKE NEWS ITEM. ITS NOT ON THE GRAMMY OFFICIAL SITE NOR IS THERE A PRESS RELEASE FOR THIS SO CALLED INCIDENT. BILLBOARD WOULD HAVE MADE THIS FRONT PAGE NEWS ON THEIR SITE.

Get-there is no need for you to use all caps-like that. It's like you're screaming at people. Calm down.

Musicslave said:

getxxxx said:

until there is OFFICIAL word from the Grammies this is a RUMOR. or a PR stunt for ole bois forthcoming CD

Whether this story is true or not, I could easily see this happening on a regular basis. Look at the winner's list from the past decade or more. Surely it's not based on artistic merit.

Yep! And Chris Brown aint the only one buying up Grammys, there are plenty of artists who are doing it, have been doing it for years. Right Beyonce?

Timmy84 said:

I always thought something was up with that Ken dude. He's just as bad as the guy that gave Milli Vanilli their Grammy.

Well pretty scary since he has been part of the show since 1974? and also he created the PBS soundstage which is a pretty good show and has featured things like Chicago Earth Wind and fire etc...

and he was the one bugging Prince to do the thing with Beyonce in 2004.But i cant say im really THAT surprised, because he did have his hands in "We are the World" and Usa for Africa, and alot of "things disappeared" during that, and i remember JOhn Mellecamp saying he didnt want to be part of "we are the world" because he questioned how business was being done.

lastdecember said:

Timmy84 said:

I always thought something was up with that Ken dude. He's just as bad as the guy that gave Milli Vanilli their Grammy.

Well pretty scary since he has been part of the show since 1974? and also he created the PBS soundstage which is a pretty good show and has featured things like Chicago Earth Wind and fire etc...

and he was the one bugging Prince to do the thing with Beyonce in 2004.But i cant say im really THAT surprised, because he did have his hands in "We are the World" and Usa for Africa, and alot of "things disappeared" during that, and i remember JOhn Mellecamp saying he didnt want to be part of "we are the world" because he questioned how business was being done.

I always thought something was funny about how that all went down back then. I think Prince backed down because of the same reason (not just because of a schedule).

Surprise, surprise, surprise. I'm sure this isn't the first Grammy that's been bought and it won't be the last. No artist should ever trip if they never won one of those dust collectors.... the show and its academy is a joke.

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[Edited 5/29/12 21:29pm]

This can't be. The guy's name is "Ehrlich", which is german for "sincere".

This coming from Chris Loser Brown...

Why am I not surprised...

LMAO!!! Next, Beyonce bought Artist of the Milennium

alphastreet said:

LMAO!!! Next, Beyonce bought Artist of the Milennium

Girl we ALL know that.... if their going to call CB out they need to do ERRRRYYYYYBODY

last december, what do you mean, things disappeared?

silverchild said:

This is about to be a mess.

I hope so...more scrutiny of that organization would be a good thing,

babynoz said:

silverchild said:

This is about to be a mess.

I hope so...more scrutiny of that organization would be a good thing,

YEP...

ITS FIXED. Even if its not true its good this idea is coming to light even though we all know these artists buy their awards.

mjscarousal said:

More oversight! Checks and balances!