Tagged: Grammy Awards

Let them eat CAKE?

On February 20th, a number of ground breaking things happened: it was
President’s Day (I still had to work), Bethenney Getting Married? premiered, Basketball Wives started their new season, Rihanna turned 24 and she and Chris Brown released remix songs with each other featured.

I personally think this is a big deal, given the history of Rihanna and CB. Ouch. In case you forgot, in 2009, Chris Brown and Rihanna were in a relationship that ended in a horrendous beating. Photos were released of her injuries and Brown was momentarily shunned. It’s hard for people to forget, at this year’s GRAMMY Awards, Brown lip-synched a performance to virtual silence. In my section, there were no applause at all (womp) because I don’t think all of America is ready to forgive his blatant disconcern for being a role model to young men.

What’s worse, following his performance, women all over the internet started tweeting about how Chris Brown could beat them any day. Really? Is it real life?

I suppose in the end it’s a personal preference. It’s not easy for me to forgive and forget, especially when the pain in those photos was so palpable. That said, I will listen to She Ain’t You on repeat because that’s my song (oops).

However, I think it says something pretty powerful that Rihanna released the remix to Birthday CAKE on her birthday featuring the collaboration with Chris Brown. As a musician, that’s a hell of a way to show someone is forgiven.

Shortly followed by Brown’s remix to Turn Up the Music (which is a yawn of a song in my opinion).

Regardless of the circumstances, I personally find it in poor taste for these songs to have been released (especially when the original Birthday Cake trumps the remix). With the number of young and impressionable fans that follow Rihanna and Brown, I think they should be creating responsible characters. Instead, it seems they are lessening the severity of the situation (where, just to be clear, the man she is collaborating with made her look like this). Now, if it’s all for press, then they’ve done a hell of a job in making headlines.

What do you think? Is it okay for Rihanna & Chris Brown to reunite through music? What would you do in this situation? 

xo,
Maiah

I Grew Up On Whitney

I danced to her first album at the age of 2. I watched my VHS of The Bodyguard so much with my mother that the tape is warped. I have choreographed dances to songs from the soundtrack, the best being to I Will Always Love You, I’m Every Woman, Run to You, & Queen of the Night, because those songs are just brilliant. When she released My Love is Your Love, I had gone through my first heartbreak, and as a result, played Heartbreak Hotel on repeat. Whitney influenced my life immensely and I know I’m not the only one.

Having spent the beginning of the new year planning a number of events surrounding the biggest week in music, I was eager and excited for a potential glance at this incredible musician. The week culminated in the news that (1) I would be attending the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday night, and that (2) my music icon, Whitney Houston passed away in a hotel room in the Beverly Hilton. The Clive Davis Gala, which was scheduled for that same evening in the same hotel, was briefly cancelled, and then back on, serving as a chance to gather music greats in a space to celebrate her life.

The next day, I entered the STAPLES Center, I expecting a feeling of mourning to emanate from the arena. Instead, I was greeted with a prayer from LL Cool J and a celebration of music. A gorgeous tribute by Jennifer Hudson was tasteful and not flashy. The focus was on a beautiful voice and raw talent – just like Whitney.

May she rest in peace.