songs in ay minor

J TV: 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards

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The biggest night in music has arrived: The 55th Annual Grammy Awards!  Here are some of my predictions with no real merit below.

My Choice  [♥]        ||||        Predicted Choice [✮]

Record of the Year
» The Black Keys – “Lonely Boy”
» Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger”
» Fun. feat. Janelle Monae – “We Are Young” ✮
» Gotye feat. Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used to Know”       ♥
» Frank Ocean – “Thinkin Bout You”
» Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

Song of the Year
» Ed Sheeran – “The A Team” ✮
» Miguel – “Adorn”    ♥
» Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”
» Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)”
» Fun. – “We Are Young”

Best R&B Performance
» Estelle – “Thank You”
» Robert Glasper Experiment feat. Ledisi – “Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.)
» Luke James – “I Want You” ✮
» Miguel – “Adorn” ♥
» Usher – “Climax:

Best Traditional R&B Performance
» Anita Baker – “Lately”
» Beyonce – “Love on Top”  ♥
» Melanie Fiona – “Wrong Side of a Love Song” ✮
» Gregory Porter – “Real Good Hands”
» SWV – “If Only You Knew”

Best Urban Contemporary Album
» Chris Brown, Fortune
» Miguel, Kaleidoscope Dream ♥
» Frank Ocean, Channel Orange ✮

Best Rap Performance
» Drake feat. Lil’ Wayne – “HYFR (Hell Ya F—-ing Right)”
» Jay-Z & Kanye West – “N—-as In Paris” ♥ ✮
» Nas – “Daughters”
» Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz – “Mercy”
» Young Geezy feat. Jay-Z & Andre 3000 – “I Do”

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
» Flo Rida feat. Sia – “Wild Ones”
» Jay-Z & Kanye West feat. Frank Ocean & The-Dream – “No Church in the Wild”  ♥
» John Legend feat. Ludacris – “Tonight (Best You Ever Had)”
» Nas feat. Amy Whinehouse – “Cherry Wine” ✮
» Rihanna feat. Jay-Z – “Talk That Talk”

Find the full list of 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees here.

J Music: Tori Kelly at Gramercy Theater

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Whhewww child, Tori Kelly can blow!! On Tuesday, February 5 Tori Kelly performed at Gramecry Theater for a mixed crowd of industry folks, teeny-boppers, and young adults that hung on her every note. Though the theater was packed, at times the only noise you heard was Tori and her guitar as she hit some of the most surgically produced riffs I have ever heard.  Based on the “oohs” and “aahs” of the crowd, I think everyone felt the same way.

I could go on for days, but I will spare everyone and direct you to my previous post about her virtual Christmas concert in December. For all the good things I had to say about Tori’s abilities then—she sounded even better live. Check out the videos below!

Set List: 

Celestial

Stained

Thinking About Forever

Bring Me Home

Upside Down

Eyelashes

P.Y.T./Rock With You

Confetti

RATING: ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ (5 out of 5)

J Music: Ro James at S.O.B.s

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Another great night at S.O.B.s! Ronnie “Ro” James opened up the night with a short set that included a cover of “Creep,” by Radiohead, and his original tracks “Neon” and “Pledge Allegiance.” Although Ro had trouble hearing himself in the monitors, he did his best to work through the technical difficulties and put on a good performance for the crowd.

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A New York native (amongst other infuences), Ro was dressed in a Fedora hat and leather overalls with two sleeves of tattoos and a gleaming gold tooth. I was a bit thrown off by Ro’s appearance —in a good way (I think).  His demeanor, dress, and direct lyrics seemed to contrast his smooth, sensual tone. I was curious to learn what influenced his image and sound.

Find “Introducing Ro James” below.

Check out Ro’s website here.