MotownSubdivision said:

cloveringold85 said:

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Interesting. You don't think Bruno has that Motown vibe in his music?

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I think Beyonce, Adele, JT, Rihanna and Chris Brown have talent--I just think they are too saturated in popular music today. There are a lot of of good artists that aren't in mainstream music.

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Record companies look at an artists marketability as well. Case in point -- Miley Cyrus -- she's not a great singer, but she has stage presence and marketability, and the general population will listen to her and buy her records.

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Remember the days when we had Whitney, Celine, Mariah come on stage and blow everyone away with their incredible voices? That is what is missing in today's music. Where are our singers?

I never got a Motown vibe from Bruno's music. He sticks to mostly 80s sounds like reggae rock ("Locked Out of Heaven"), post-disco ("Treasure") and early 80s R&B and funk ("24K Magic") with a mix of 70s and just now seems to be dabbling in sounds from the 90s (or late 80s). I wasn't trying to say none of the artists I mentioned are not talented, just saying that the bar has been lowered. I believe if these names (including Bruno) existed in the 80s as they are they wouldn't be looked at in the same light of fame that they currently are. Now let's say this is 1988 instead of 2018. Take MJ, Prince, Madonna, Whitney, Bruce and George Michael and compare them to their predecessors, they still look like massive stars and a progression from those who came before them. I look at the big names now and it feels like we took a step back in just about every way.

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I totally agree with you. We really don't have anyone, currently,with the same level of talent as the above-mentioned.

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I do happen to like Logic & Khalid. There are some artists that I do like today, and who have a lot of potential.

MotownSubdivision said:

2freaky4church1 said:

Did he have to win every award?

No but this certainly isn't as big a problem as many are making it out to be. I think it's a combination of stupidity and just frustration over Kendrick not winning AotY for a third time. The point is people wanted a POC to win the big one and a POC did. Now people are bitching, moaning, whining and crying because the POC wasn't of THE color they wanted to see win. Black people aren't the only POC. [Edited 1/30/18 16:01pm]

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I like Kendrick -- I think he deserved to win for sure.

MotownSubdivision said:

cloveringold85 said:

The Grammy's was painful to watch. Music today has no soul. There are really no artists out there today who are different and/or cutting-edge. Bruno Mars has talent, yes, but he's not really doing anything new. He's a good performer, sure and he's tapping into that old Motown sound--it's already been done.

Of all the old school styles Bruno uses, the Motown Sound has never been one of them. Music doesn't have to be innovative as long as it is good. Bruno makes good music and that's enough. There isn't much more that can be done in music now to push it forward anyway, not when artists are still using updated versions of drum machines and synths which have been in mass production since the 70s. Everything has been done already and I'd like to be proven wrong but just because something is new doesn't mean it'll be good. The closest thing we got to something legitimately innovative in recent yeara is trap music but that's simply an augmentation of hip hop, not a brand new original genre. The bar has definitely been lowered which is partly why Bruno is as popular as he is but the same can be said for the Taylor Swifts, the Beyonces, the Adeles, the Justin Timberlakes, the Miley Cyruses, the Chris Browns, the Katy Perrys, the Rihannas and any other so called "greatly talented artists" today.

You are so right Sir? what else in music can be done, that hasn't been made before?

MotownSubdivision said:

cloveringold85 said:

The Grammy's was painful to watch. Music today has no soul. There are really no artists out there today who are different and/or cutting-edge. Bruno Mars has talent, yes, but he's not really doing anything new. He's a good performer, sure and he's tapping into that old Motown sound--it's already been done.

Of all the old school styles Bruno uses, the Motown Sound has never been one of them. Music doesn't have to be innovative as long as it is good. Bruno makes good music and that's enough. There isn't much more that can be done in music now to push it forward anyway, not when artists are still using updated versions of drum machines and synths which have been in mass production since the 70s. Everything has been done already and I'd like to be proven wrong but just because something is new doesn't mean it'll be good. The closest thing we got to something legitimately innovative in recent yeara is trap music but that's simply an augmentation of hip hop, not a brand new original genre. The bar has definitely been lowered which is partly why Bruno is as popular as he is but the same can be said for the Taylor Swifts, the Beyonces, the Adeles, the Justin Timberlakes, the Miley Cyruses, the Chris Browns, the Katy Perrys, the Rihannas and any other so called "greatly talented artists" today.

I think early on in his career he had this "50s soul crooner" look, he's heavily inspired by doo-wop and pop music from the 50s and 60s.

Temptations-style. He changed his image quickly though to a more "bad ass" image with Uptown Funk and 24K Magic.

cloveringold85 said:

cloveringold85 said:

cloveringold85 said:

MotownSubdivision said:

2freaky4church1 said: No but this certainly isn't as big a problem as many are making it out to be. I think it's a combination of stupidity and just frustration over Kendrick not winning AotY for a third time. The point is people wanted a POC to win the big one and a POC did. Now people are bitching, moaning, whining and crying because the POC wasn't of THE color they wanted to see win. Black people aren't the only POC. [Edited 1/30/18 16:01pm]

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I like Kendrick -- I think he deserved to win for sure.

He deserved Album of the Year.

MotownSubdivision said:

cloveringold85 said:

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I like Kendrick -- I think he deserved to win for sure.

I kinda think he deserved it to even though his album was not that enjoyable to me. However in a year as tumultuous as 2017, good, fun music was needed and there waa very little fun in the songs on the charts last year. Frankly it was boring. Pop music was absolutely dead in 2017 and the influx of homogenous trap music didn't sweeten that bitterness at all. It only added to the glut. Bruno didn't drop a socially-conscious or dark, brooding album that made you think but he gave us somethingwe could actually jam too. One of the things that makes music so great is it's variety; there being something for evertbody. Mainstream music in 2017 had no variety whatsoever so I think Bruno should be given some credit for being a splash of color to an otherwise grayed out music scene.

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Yea, you got some good points there. There wasn't much going on in 2017 -- only a few good tunes here and there, but nothing that really had that pop!

MotownSubdivision said:

cloveringold85 said:

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I totally agree with you. We really don't have anyone, currently,with the same level of talent as the above-mentioned.

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I do happen to like Logic & Khalid. There are some artists that I do like today, and who have a lot of potential.

I like some of the stuff that comes out now and I got a few favorites but as for what I really, truly enjoy? Those artists, songs and albums are far and few between. And it's not a case of me being "too old", I just turned 24 last week, I'm simply not feeling most of what's being released today. Mainstream or otherwise, music now just isn't interesting. Sometimes I wonder if I were alive in the 80s (my favorite decade for music), would I feel the same way about the music coming out then as I do now? I'd like to not think so because there was so much to enjoy and such copious amounts of music that came from that timespan but I'll never know. [Edited 1/30/18 17:34pm]

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You're not too old.

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Well, I grew up in the 70s & 80s, so I'm probably your parents age, LOL

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I always love it when I hear the younger generation appreciating the music of the 80s. There was a lot of good music coming out during that time. Music really started to change in the 80s -- hip-hop came on the scene, and techno/new wave......it was a nice mix of everything.

cloveringold85 said:

namepeace said:

kitbradley said:

So media wanted shit-hop to sweep the awards with j-z and kendrick lamar winning the main awards??? I just don't get the facination with these two and their alledged genius.

I'll save Jay-Z for another day, but K-Dot really does have skills, and has made some meaningful albums.

Jay-Z has been around forever, so I'll assume you've heard a lot of his stuff. Have you listened to K-Dot's albums?

No. I only know Lamar's name. Not too familiar with his music. I think I've heard a song or two in passing that failed to leave any impression on me. I've always been an extremely casual hip-hop listener and really haven't purchased much in that genre since the 90s. It's not a genre I've ever taken seriously. I prefer music and voices that move me, touches my soul. No hip-hop has ever managed to do that.

Yes, I've heard more of J-Z's stuff and I can name dozens of rappers who can wipe up the floor with him.

I'm going to play devil's advocate for a minute and present the popular premise that had a black artist put out the same record that Bruno Mars put out it would've gone aluminum, not platinum.

The same could be said for Cardi B. People are eating up her ghetto shtick because it's coming from a fair-skinned POC. Would the reaction to her be way harsher were she black?

The same arguements were made about Adele. White singer; best thing since sliced bread. Black singer; ho-hum.

BTW I persoannly enjoy the Bruno Mars project.

kitbradley said:

So media wanted shit-hop to sweep the awards with j-z and kendrick lamar winning the main awards??? I just don't get the facination with these two and their alledged genius.

so on THEIR behalf and others who GET hip hop and its aesthetic, "eat a dick" and refrain from commenting on what u don't understand. u calling it shit hop to begin with speaks to the same type of close-minded mental entrenchment Trump supporters are guilty of.

Hudson said:

Hudson said:

I did not watch the GRAMMYS but of course my Twitter feed kept me updated minute by minute...A lot of people out there think Bruno is Black or half Black or just a head-scratcher..."That Black Dude can Sang and dance"..I think it's fair to say that ignorant folks will think whatever, forever...

Same thing with our Dawg the Rock...becuz his movie-kids are usually White, people assume that he's Latino or something..People are surprised to learn that his Dad is a Black Man...

Bruno's Talent & Music pays homage to the R&B Legacy..his crossover appeal helps Black radio...It's a win-win situation for everybody..I still have some reservations about other things...

"Jay Z is a Rap Legend and a GRAMMY darling, he'll rule the night...Bruno will sweep all three R&B Categories and he'll walk away with Album of the Year....

Bruno should win 4 GRAMMYs by the end of the night..."(Me, Myself & I)

I was all WRONG when it came to Jigga....My Psychic Powers are worn out becuz of Donald...

I was almost accurate with Bruno's Wins..I don't know why I forgot or did not double-check his total R&B Nods..

Chancellor said:

I did not watch the GRAMMYS but of course my Twitter feed kept me updated minute by minute...A lot of people out there think Bruno is Black or half Black or just a head-scratcher..."That Black Dude can Sang and dance"..I think it's fair to say that ignorant folks will think whatever, forever...

Same thing with our Dawg the Rock...becuz his movie-kids are usually White, people assume that he's Latino or something..People are surprised to learn that his Dad is a Black Man...

Bruno's Talent & Music pays homage to the R&B Legacy..his crossover appeal helps Black radio...It's a win-win situation for everybody..I still have some reservations about other things...

My boy Bruno. I have waited LONG years to see somebody that can perform like him. Usher was my dude for a while but he been chasing trends lately. Chris Brown too busy tying to be a rapper. Bruno swept me off my feet.

CynicKill said:

I'm going to play devil's advocate for a minute and present the popular premise that had a black artist put out the same record that Bruno Mars put out it would've gone aluminum, not platinum.

The same could be said for Cardi B. People are eating up her ghetto shtick because it's coming from a fair-skinned POC. Would the reaction to her be way harsher were she black?

The same arguements were made about Adele. White singer; best thing since sliced bread. Black singer; ho-hum.

BTW I persoannly enjoy the Bruno Mars project.

Bruno said he was told when he first came into the industry that he had great songs but industry big wigs told him that had to find some blue eyed white boys to sing the songs.

It this is true his not being black did not help him at all. In the meantime why don't some black artist do some music like Bruno so we can see what would happen instead of putting out crap.

So he is mixed, who cares

Well since the MEDIA and the MUSIC INDUSTRY are the same being, then start looking into more artists out there doing records. NO COMPETITION is how the industry is set up and why you this is going to happen. The Media can say all it wants and blame bruno and other for LOW RATINGS but all are to blame for the low ratings, inclduing all these artists and their social media non stop rants. Why would people tune in to see you when you are streaming everything, post live performances etc...why do I need to tune in and see you on this show who really cares. As for winning awards, tons of complaints have come over the years about who wins and loses. And then you factor in everyone having a political thing to say, people can care less honestly, even those that are with you on all the issues etc...they have political exhaustion. I dont need everyone to think they are BONO.

luv4u said:

So he is mixed, who cares

Some people in the music industry cared.

datdude said:

kitbradley said:

So media wanted shit-hop to sweep the awards with j-z and kendrick lamar winning the main awards??? I just don't get the facination with these two and their alledged genius.

so on THEIR behalf and others who GET hip hop and its aesthetic, "eat a dick" and refrain from commenting on what u don't understand. u calling it shit hop to begin with speaks to the same type of close-minded mental entrenchment Trump supporters are guilty of.

Oh I get the genre alright. That's why I call it shit-hop. I've been around since the beginning of hip-hop so please don't bloody tell me what I don't understand. You don't fucking know me. It's my opinion and if you don't like it, you go and eat the dick. Good luck in attempting to censor or belitte anything I say. It's never going to happen. Not in my America.

If anyone should be upset it should be WOMEN. Nice to have that #metoo moment too bad it did not translate to the voters.

lastdecember said:

lastdecember said:

kitbradley said:

namepeace said:

I'll save Jay-Z for another day, but K-Dot really does have skills, and has made some meaningful albums.

Jay-Z has been around forever, so I'll assume you've heard a lot of his stuff. Have you listened to K-Dot's albums?

No. I only know Lamar's name. Not too familiar with his music. I think I've heard a song or two in passing that failed to leave any impression on me. I've always been an extremely casual hip-hop listener and really haven't purchased much in that genre since the 90s. It's not a genre I've ever taken seriously. I prefer music and voices that move me, touches my soul. No hip-hop has ever managed to do that.

Yes, I've heard more of J-Z's stuff and I can name dozens of rappers who can wipe up the floor with him.

I've mainly left hip-hop behind since the 2000's, but I can vouch for K-Dot's work. I saw him live when he was opening for Kanye in 2013 and he put on one of the best shows I've seen from a rapper. So I checked out good kid, M.A.A.D. city and thought it was an instant classic. Same with To Pimp A Butterfly.

But if you're not into hip-hop like that, then I don't see it grabbing you. But you can't truly rip K-Dot if you haven't heard his work.

Jay-Z is another story. He's got skill, and a bucket full of classics. But he's been around for a while, and ever since he hit superstardom he's rapped about the same stuff over and over. Familiarity breeds contempt. I do like a couple of his joints from 4:44.

EmmaMcG said:

lastdecember said:

If anyone should be upset it should be WOMEN. Nice to have that #metoo moment too bad it did not translate to the voters.

If the women had made better music, they might have had a better chance at winning. You can't just give someone an award because they're female.

Tons of females not even nominated the grammy show has to realize that not every female is Beyonce and Taylor and Gaga

EmmaMcG said:

Hudson said:

People of color isn't regularly used derogatorily. I don't have any explanation really, its always made sense to mr since non white people have referred to themselves that way in a confident, correct manner for as long as I can remember.

It seems odd to me. I don't want to derail the thread so I'll leave it there but any non white person I've ever met doesn't like either term. Anyway, thanks for the response.

Person of Color means that the person isn't White- it can emcompass Asians, Africans, Native Americans, Latinos, etc.

Calling someone "colored" sounds like a time warp back to 1953