Year End Cap

This year definitely feels like it is the end of 2019 when it is really 2021. Corona is still very prominent but things are more active, entertainment is coming back slowly still, bookings are still happening. Travel is still happening and masks are becoming more optional and things are really becoming less cautious than before even with the variant. 

The one thing that is noticeable is the understaffing of places. Working as a task rabbit working in production, you can notice just out and about at random places it is something that is very much happening across the board, with hospitality type and customer facing jobs from grocery stores to security to restaurants to hotels to travel and just extra hands and its crazy. 

One day everyone will be fed up and when things reach a breaking point there will be a lot. The medical field has really taken on a such a huge undertaking with corona and vaccines and even pharmacies and such. People need extra hands and people also need a paycheck but with the demand being so much, the start of some jobs are jumping right into the mud and its a lot from the start. They all deserve so much respect for how hard they work.



Concerts really have back in a big way, probably getting all the overflow from the previous years contracts and even for businesses to get huge numbers for their year end reports or whatever. personally have yet to experience a festival on a normal year but it has not looked good this year with the Astroworld situation with Travis Scott and Livenation. 



Music for their Jingle Ball artists are trending toward artists who gained popularity with TikTok music and dance trends but also less people are using the app than last year. Artists like MGK and Shawn Mendes are using TikToker singers or singers who gained fame from TikTok for opening acts. Concerts are more going to be outdoor stadiums for next year and more outside or smaller scaled for shows because of insurance and costs. 



With media Tik Tok sort of still is a huge platform but the huge personalities on that platform are really becoming more defined off the app and venturing in their own businesses. The Damelios have their own clothing line they have built and their own TV hulu show doing exactly what the trends have predicted. Dixie is traveling with Iheart Jingle Ball so music is probably going to be in the future. The company's likeness Triller had dipped their toe into the live events area with live streamed fights with media personalities like TikTokers and the Paul Brothers. 





Movies, tv series, and even really other tradition television such as a talk show even lumping in SNL there really have not recovered from the shut down seemingly. There have not been alot of hugely popular movies out in theaters or even series even on streaming services as well besides the whole SquidGames series this past month. Next year movies might be a better year for productions. The only thing in the news about movies is the who Alec Baldwin gun thing with production where someone died. 



All of last year the huge push and popularity was with podcasts, with people working from home and event he shut down with people having more time on their hands, listening to podcast definitely pushed some to stardom such as Call Her Daddy, Tim Dillon and Joe Rogan. 





This year podcasts were show to be just a trend with seemingly less marking and advertising. Next year will be interesting in seeing what media will become more popular. Right now podcasts are moving toward small live event tours with their audiences because of their following and low cost build up. 

Jobs have gone remote and companies are finding out how really people are both liking it and ready to go back to the office. Working from home is easy to do but the social aspect of working in the office with other departments are needed for in person collaboration. Houses went up in price as people worked from home and moved away from the cities. 

People may be spending more online for shopping such as black friday and cyber Monday but shopping in public is missed but kind of busy for the stores. Gas went up so much and food too. Bitcoin and NFTs are huge with crypto-currencies growing in popularity but very volatile such as with the Gamestop and the redditors stock market situation at the beginning of the year. It showed how the market could be manipulated. 




Next year people will probably be working half at home and half in the office so how companies will adapt with this. Music will go back to the same artists and the trendy social media singers will either sink or swim depending on who mentors them. Podcasts will be less front and center and transition toward the traditional media to get more eyes to their programming. Live shows podcasts and event concerts will be smaller scaled back because of the Astroworld Festival and their lack of security and management. 

TikTok and social media will just become all ads with their newly found fame and following digitally. Customer service will go down significantly and be cut in half even with raised wages because of growth and demand of customers after the corona year. Shopping will go up because of the ads in person less but more online then will continues with help shortages. Next year will just be helping out what we started this year. 

iHeartRadio Music Awards 2021

 


 iHeartRadio Music Awards 2021 will be held in LA in the Dolby Theatre on the 27rd of May, returning with a live, theater audience, first major award show back this year. 

With this past 2020 year filled with zoom singing shows, prerecorded no audience shows, or small acoustic performances. 


Live entertainment is finally coming back around to normal back with massive award-winning performing artists such as Doja Cat, The Weeknd and chart toppers Ariana Grande and throwback artists Usher. Ariana always hits it out of the park with her live performances as well as seasoned veteran Usher.

 Even The Weeknd with his past Billboard show and new star duo group Silk Sonic (Anderson Paak and Bruno Mars) have proven to have entertaining lively performances and will be a must watch show.




Going through the nominees it just goes to show the social media influence of this past year, the innovation of singers/songwriters and changes in the music industry. 

Tik Tok exploded this past year in terms of blowing up independent artists and producers making major music industry trends such as Savage Love with producers Jason Derulo and Jawsh 385, Megan Thee Stallions Savage and Roddy Rich's The Box both have gone viral this past years with Tik Tok dance trends and streaming alone. 


iHeartRadio tips their cap to the latest social media trends as well with categories such as Tik Tok Bop of the Year and Social Star Award talking about social media influencers and the songs they made popular with their viral posts and dance trends.  

Nominees include tiktokers like lilhuddy and Dixie D’Amelio made popular from number one TikTok influencer Charli D’Amelio and Olivia Rodrigo, recently gained huge popularity with her recent album Sour, 

SNL performance and pop punk song Good 4 U, even compared to artists such as Paramore and Avril lavigne.  Award shows are finally back as well as live entertainment, Iheart is really starting the year off on a good note for media in 2021. 











2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees

Song of the Year:“Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd
“Circles” - Post Malone
“Don't Start Now” - Dua Lipa
“ROCKSTAR” - DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
“Watermelon Sugar” - Harry Styles

Female Artist of the Year: Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Dua Lipa
Megan Thee Stallion
Taylor Swift

Male Artist of the Year:Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Post Malone
Roddy Ricch
The Weeknd

Best Duo/Group of the Year: BTS
Dan + Shay
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
twenty one pilots

Best Collaboration:“Go Crazy” - Chris Brown & Young Thug
“Holy” - Justin Bieber featuring Chance the Rapper
“I Hope” - Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth
“Mood” - 24kGoldn featuring iann dior
“Savage” (Remix) - Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé

Best New Pop Artist: 24kGoldn
blackbear
Doja Cat
JP Saxe
Pop Smoke

Alternative Rock Song of the Year:“Bang!” - AJR
“Bloody Valentine” - Machine Gun Kelly
“everything i wanted”- Billie Eilish
“Level Of Concern” - twenty one pilots
“Monsters” - All Time Low featuring blackbear

Alternative Rock Artist of the Year:AJR
All Time Low
Billie Eilish
Cage the Elephant
twenty one pilots

Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist:Ashe
Dayglow
Powfu
Royal & The Serpent
Wallows

Rock Song of the Year:“Death By Rock And Roll” - The Pretty Reckless
“Patience” - Chris Cornell
“Shame Shame” - Foo Fighters
“Shot In The Dark” - AC/DC
“Under The Graveyard” - Ozzy Osbourne

Rock Artist of the Year:AC/DC
Five Finger Death Punch
Ozzy Osbourne
Shinedown
The Pretty Reckless

Country Song of the Year:“Even Though I'm Leaving” - Luke Combs
“I Hope” - Gabby Barrett
“Nobody But You” - Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani
“One Margarita” - Luke Bryan
“The Bones” - Maren Morris

Country Artist of the Year:Blake Shelton
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Maren Morris
Thomas Rhett

Best New Country Artist:Ashley McBryde
Gabby Barrett
HARDY
Ingrid Andress
Jameson Rodgers

Dance Song of the Year:“Head & Heart” - Joel Corry x MNEK
“ily (i love you baby)” - Surf Mesa featuring Emilee
“Lasting Lover” – Sigala & James Arthur
“Rain On Me” - Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
“Roses” (Imanbek Remix) - SAINt JHN

Dance Artist of the Year: Anabel Englund
Diplo
Marshmello
Surf Mesa
Tiësto

Hip-Hop Song of the Year: “High Fashion” - Roddy Ricch featuring Mustard
“Life Is Good” - Future featuring Drake
“ROCKSTAR” - DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
“Savage” (Remix) - Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé
“The Box” - Roddy Ricch

Hip-Hop Artist of the Year:DaBaby
Lil Baby
Megan Thee Stallion
Pop Smoke
Roddy Ricch

Best New Hip-Hop Artist:Jack Harlow
Moneybagg Yo
Pop Smoke
Rod Wave
Roddy Ricch

R&B Song of the Year:“B.S.” - Jhené Aiko featuring H.E.R.
“Go Crazy” - Chris Brown & Young Thug
“Heat” Chris Brown featuring Gunna
“Playing Games” - Summer Walker
“Slide” - H.E.R. featuring YG

R&B Artist of the Year: Chris Brown
H.E.R.
Jhené Aiko
Snoh Aalegra
Summer Walker

Best New R&B Artist: Chloe x Halle
Lonr.
Mahalia
Skip Marley
Snoh Aalegra

Latin Pop/Reggaeton Song of the Year: “Caramelo” - Ozuna
“Dákiti” - Bad Bunny & Jhay Cortez
“Hawái” (Remix) - Maluma & The Weeknd
“RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)” - Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin
“Tusa” - KAROL G & Nicki Minaj

Latin Pop/Reggaeton Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny
J Balvin
KAROL G
Maluma
Ozuna

Best New Latin Artist: Chesca
Jay Wheeler
Natanael Cano
Neto Bernal
Rauw Alejandro

Regional Mexican Song of the Year:“Palabra De Hombre” - El Fantasma
“Se Me Olvidó” - Christian Nodal
“Sólo Tú” - Calibre 50
“Te Volvería A Elegir” - Calibre 50
“Yo Ya No Vuelvo Contigo” - Lenin Ramírez featuring Grupo Firme

Regional Mexican Artist of the Year: Banda Los Sebastianes
Calibre 50
Christian Nodal
Edwin Luna y La Trakalosa de Monterrey
Gerardo Ortíz

Producer of the Year: Andrew Watt
Dr Luke
Frank Dukes
Louis Bell
Max Martin

Songwriter of the Year:Ali Tamposi
Amy Allen
Ashley Gorley
Dan Nigro
Finneas

Best Lyrics (Socially Voted Category):“Adore You” - Harry Styles
“Before You Go” - Lewis Capaldi
“Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd
“cardigan” - Taylor Swift
“Don’t Start Now” - Dua Lipa
“everything i wanted”- Billie Eilish
“I Hope” - Gabby Barrett featuring Charlie Puth
“If The World Was Ending” - JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels
“Intentions” - Justin Bieber featuring Quavo
“Life Is Good” - Future featuring Drake

Best Cover Song (Socially Voted Category):“Adore You” (Harry Styles) - Lizzo cover
“Can't Take My Eyes Off You” (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons) - Shawn Mendes cover
“Fix You” (Coldplay) - Sam Smith cover
“Heart Of Glass” (Blondie) - Miley Cyrus cover
“Juice” (Lizzo) - Harry Styles cover

Best Fan Army (Socially Voted Category)#Agnation - Agnez Mo
#Arianators - Ariana Grande
#Beliebers - Justin Bieber
#BLINK - BLACKPINK
#BTSARMY - BTS
#Harries - Harry Styles
#Limelights - Why Don't We
#Louies - Louis Tomlinson
#MendesArmy - Shawn Mendes
#NCTzens - NCT 127
#Selenators - Selena Gomez
#Swifties - Taylor Swift

Best Music Video (Socially Voted Category):“Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd
“Don't Start Now” - Dua Lipa
“Dynamite” - BTS
“Hawái” - Maluma
“How You Like That” - BLACKPINK
“Life Is Good” - Future featuring Drake
“Rain On Me” - Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande
“WAP” - Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion
“Watermelon Sugar” - Harry Styles
“Yummy” - Justin Bieber

Social Star Award (Socially Voted Category):Dixie D'Amelio
Jaden Hossler

LILHUDDY
Nessa Barrett
Olivia Rodrigo
Tate McRae

Favorite Music Video Choreography (Socially Voted Category):BTS – Son Sung Deuk
“34+35” (Ariana Grande) - Scott & Brian Nicholson
“Do It” (Chloe x Halle) - Kendra Bracy & Ashanti Ledon
“Honey Boo” (CNCO & Natti Natasha) - Kyle Hanagami
“Physical” (Dua Lipa) - Charm La'Donna
“Rain On Me” (Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande) - Richy Jackson
“Say So” (Doja Cat) -Cortland Brown
WAP” (Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion) - JaQuel Knight
“Bop” (DaBaby) - Coach Cherry & DaniLeigh

TikTok Bop of the Year ( Socially Voted Category):“Blinding Lights” - The Weeknd
“Lottery (Renegade)” - K CAMP
“Savage” - Megan Thee Stallion
“Savage Love” (Laxed-Siren Beat) - Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo
“Say So” - Doja Cat
“WAP” - Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion

April Pop Culture of the Month


 First week of April: Logan Paul was revealed to being on The Masked Singer as the grandpa monster. Niall Horan experiences London home invader. 21 year old James Charles, social media influencer is called out for sexting teenagers. Cash me outside girl from Dr. Oz earns over $1 million on Onlyfans the day she turns 18. Nike sues MCHF over using shoes for Lil Nas X satan shoes which supposedly sold 666 pairs of shoes rumored to have drops of blood in them. Addison Rae is shown on keeping up with the Kardashians close with Kourtney. Rege-Jean Page confirmed leaving hit show Bridgerton. 





Second Week of April: Tom hanks son who goes by Chet Hanx declare this year white boy summer. Mossimo is out of jail early after college bribery scandal. Paid half a million dollars to get the two daughters into University of Southern California. Jerry Seinfield preforms at the opening of famed Gotham Comedy Club in New York after a year of corona. Marijuana is now legal in NY. Godzilla vs King Kong is box office hit with $285 million opening night. 

Unedited pic of Khloe Kardashian goes viral after post goes up without permission. Shawn Mendes gets car returned after home invasion like Niall Horan while home. Women go to jail after topless photo-shoot in Dubai shot by Russian media mogul Alexey Konstov. Pete Davidson moves out of house and to bachelor pad in Staten Island and talks about long distance with Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor.  Demi Lovato puts out documentary series about her drug overdose, music and personal life.  Iggy Azalea calls out anonymous celebrities sliding into her DMs with cash offers. Sports Illustrated includes first male model in 2021 issue. Teenage media star JoJo Siwa reveals she's pansexual. 

Hailey Bieber comments on Tik Tok posting how people experienced her as a consistently rude  restaurant customer. Lance Armstrong's son in sexual assault charge from 3 years ago. Backlash as Dr Luke from Kesha's sexual assault and harassment claims is nominated in Iheart radio Music Awards. Stars revealed as written rude notes during Obamas going away party including stars such as Nick Jonas, Usher, Jerry Seinfield, Chrissy Tiegen and John Legend and others. KUWTK tease questionings about tiktoker Addison Rae and Kourtney hooking up. Prince philips dies at 99. DMX dies at 50 after heart attack and overdose. 


Third week of April: Elon musk finalizes vegas turn loop even gets Kylie Jenner to post and test the tunnel. Grimes shows off tattoos shown described as alien scars. James franco and Seth rogan in another harassment scandal . BLM founder accused of using foundations money for herself after buying multiple luxury homes. Jake Paul involved in sex assault accusation from back in 2019. Brenda song and Macauley Caulkin have a baby. Former bachelor lead Colton Underwood  announced as gay. Colton underwood also announces new Netflix series on coming out. (The same bachelor who put a car tracker and stalked his ex until a restraining order). Actor who played Steve Urkel launches weed company. Jrod confirmed split between A rod and Jennifer Lopez. Social media star Jeffree Star in car crash; star with multiple sexual assault scandals, industry drama, racism, and more. Chrissy Tiegen back on twitter after her announcement to quit three weeks ago. 


Fourth week of april :  Youtuber Jake Paul wins match against MMA star Ben Askren: the match was rumored to be staged, after pictures and videos of Askren in high spirits and laughing along with family and friends. Multiple celebrity sightings such as Pete Davidson, Snoop Dog, Teenage Tik Tokers and many artists performances and Justin Bieber preformed as well. Amazon buys the lord of the rings for $465 million series.  Multiple privates schools in New York City as well as California accused of harsh diversity and inclusion programs such as Harvard-Westlake, even teacher and parent of Brearley School ($54,000 per year) as well as Grace Church School, and Dalton.  




Songs of the Summer Throwback

Finally things are beginning to open up, as will live music, and clubs and shows. 2020 music may have been exclusively Tik Tok trends songs, the good and the bad but 2021 turns over a new leave with throwback sounds of pop punk and feel good vibes. Here is a mixture of nostalgia with top hits for this 2021 summer. 

Early Roadtrip/Feel good Commute


            

Acoustics (On the Lawn + in the Coffee Shop)


 

Miscilanious Vibes

  

Pop Dance

           

 


 Warped Tour  (Throwback 1990's/early 2000's punk pop alt )

   
 

2021 Grammy Awards

 The three and a half hour show showed the impact corona had on the music industry. The production value focused more to highlight singers and talent of this past year such as artists Taylor Swift to Bad Bunny to Lil Baby. Beyoncé won multiple awards giving her the title of the female artist with the most Grammys ever won. Harry Styles opened up the show with his performance of Watermelon Sugar with comedian Trevor Noah hosting the socially distant award show. 

 

At the Grammys, besides the pre-recorded performances, the audience was only a couple dozen of award winners such as Noah Cyrus, Meg the Stallion, Billie Eilish and even Beyonce and Jayz were in attendance.

Favorite performances of the night include teen heartthrob Harry Styles and Dua Lipa both with massive radio hits Watermelon Sugar and Levitating and Don't Start Now. Megan Thee Stallion also sang Savage remix as well as Body.

 Surprised large productions include Rock Star by Da Baby, Lil Baby's The Bigger Picture, and Silk Sonic's Leave the Door Open. Silk Sonic is a group including Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak, both incredible vocal artists giving a throwback feel good styled song. At the end of the night WAP was performed by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion again in an almost after dark show dancing all over the stage. 

 

Lil Baby's The Bigger Picture's song gave insight about police today and protests as well as unity with lyrics in his song. Opening up with a police aggression and acting out protests as well as unity showed what this past year 2020 had given us.

It's bigger than black and white
It's a problem with the whole way of life
It can't change overnight
But we gotta start somewhere

-The Bigger Picture Lyrics

Other artist such as Billie Eilish and Post Malone gave great performances as always and even Billie had won the Record of the Year once again this year with her song "Everything I Wanted" where last year it was with the song "Bad Guy". Taylor Swift performed songs from one of her latest album Folklore, also a well publicized singer who is rerecording her past hits. This year had the all time lowest ratings but there was lots of discussion on social media over the show. The past few weeks there has been rumors of controversy with talks of the political side of the music industry as well as rigged awards. Throwing in corona, and the different set up, overall, the awards was far from normal but very reflective on this past year as a whole.




 


2021 GRAMMY WINNERS 

Record of the Year
“Everything I Wanted,” Finneas O’Connell, producer; Rob Kinelski and Finneas O’Connell, engineers/mixers; John Greenham, mastering engineer (Billie Eilish)

Continue reading the main story

Album of the Year
“Folklore,” Taylor Swift



Song of the Year
“I Can’t Breathe,” Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)

Best New Artist
Megan Thee Stallion

Best Pop Solo Performance
“Watermelon Sugar,” Harry Styles

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Rain on Me,” Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande

Best Pop Vocal Album
“Future Nostalgia,” Dua Lipa

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
American Standard” by James Taylor

Best Dance Recording
“10%,” Kaytranada featuring Kali Uchis

Best Dance/Electronic Album
“Bubba,” Kaytranada

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
“Live at the Royal Albert Hall,” Snarky Puppy

Best Rock Performance
“Shameika,” Fiona Apple

Continue reading the main s

Best Metal Performance
“Bum-Rush,” Body Count

Best Rock Song
“Stay High,” Brittany Howard, songwriter (Brittany Howard)

Best Rock Album
“The New Abnormal,” The Strokes

Best Alternative Music Album
“Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” Fiona Apple

Best R&B Performance
“Black Parade,” Beyoncé

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Anything For You,” Ledisi

Best R&B Song
“Better Than I Imagine,” Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello and Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper featuring H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello)

Best Progressive R&B Album
“It Is What It Is,” Thundercat

Best R&B Album
“Bigger Love,” John Legend

Best Rap Performance
“Savage,” Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé

Continue reading the main story

Best Melodic Rap Performance
“Lockdown,” Anderson .Paak

Best Rap Song
“Savage,” Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe and Anthony White, songwriters (Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé)

Best Rap Album
“King’s Disease,” Nas

Best Country Solo Performance
“When My Amy Prays,” Vince Gill

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“10,000 Hours,” Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber

Best Country Song
“Crowded Table,” Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna, songwriters (The Highwomen)

Best Country Album
“Wildcard,” Miranda Lambert

Best New Age Album
“More Guitar Stories,” Jim “Kimo” West

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
“All Blues,” Chick Corea, soloist

Best Jazz Vocal Album
“Secrets Are the Best Stories,” Kurt Elling featuring Danilo Pérez

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
“Trilogy 2,” Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Brian Blade

Continue reading the main story

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
“Data Lords,” Maria Schneider Orchestra

Best Latin Jazz Album
“Four Questions,” Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

Best Gospel Performance/Song
“Movin’ On,” Darryl L. Howell, Jonathan Caleb McReynolds, Kortney Jamaal Pollard and Terrell Demetrius Wilson, songwriters (Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music)

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“There Was Jesus,” Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith and Zach Williams, songwriters (Zach Williams and Dolly Parton)

Best Gospel Album
“Gospel According to PJ,” PJ Morton

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
“Jesus Is King,” Kanye West

Best Roots Gospel Album
“Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album),” Fisk Jubilee Singers

Best Latin Pop or Urban Album
“YHLQMDLG,” Bad Bunny

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
“La Conquista Del Espacio,” Fito Paez

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
“Un Canto Por Mexico, Vol. 1,” Natalia Lafourcade

Continue reading the main story

Best Tropical Latin Album
“40,” Grupo Niche

Best American Roots Performance
“I Remember Everything,” John Prine

Best American Roots Song
“I Remember Everything,” Pat McLaughlin and John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)

Best Americana Album
“World on the Ground,” Sarah Jarosz

Best Bluegrass Album
“Home,” Billy Strings

Best Traditional Blues Album
“Rawer Than Raw,” Bobby Rush

Best Contemporary Blues Album
“Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?,” Fantastic Negrito

Best Folk Album
“All the Good Times,” Gillian Welch and David Rawlings

Best Regional Roots Music Album
“Atmosphere,” New Orleans Nightcrawlers

Best Reggae Album
“Got to Be Tough,” Toots and the Maytals

Continue reading the main story

Best Global Music Album
“Twice as Tall,” Burna Boy

Best Children’s Music Album
“All the Ladies,” Joanie Leeds

Best Spoken Word Album
“Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth,” Rachel Maddow

Best Comedy Album
“Black Mitzvah,” Tiffany Haddish

Best Musical Theater Album
“Jagged Little Pill,” Original Broadway Cast

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
“Jojo Rabbit,” Various Artists

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media
“Joker,” Hildur Gudnadottir, composer

Best Song Written For Visual Media
“No Time to Die,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas Baird O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

Best Instrumental Composition
“Sputnik,” Maria Schneider, composer (Maria Schneider)

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
“Donna Lee,” John Beasley, arranger (John Beasley

Continue reading the ma
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

“He Won’t Hold You,” Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier featuring Rapsody)

Best Recording Package
“Vols. 11 & 12,” Doug Cunningham and Jason Noto, art directors (Desert Sessions)

Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
“Ode to Joy,” Lawrence Azerrad and Jeff Tweedy, art directors (Wilco)

Best Album Notes
“Dead Man’s Pop,” Bob Mehr, album notes writer (The Replacements)

Best Historical Album
“It’s Such a Good Feeling: The Best of Mister Rogers,” Lee Lodyga and Cheryl Pawelski, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Mister Rogers)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
“Hyperspace,” Drew Brown, Julian Burg, Andrew Coleman, Paul Epworth, Shawn Everett, Serban Ghenea, David Greenbaum, John Hanes, Beck Hansen, Jaycen Joshua, Greg Kurstin, Mike Larson, Cole M.G.N., Alex Pasco and Matt Wiggins, engineers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer (Beck)

Continue reading the main story

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Andrew Watt

Best Remixed Recording
“Roses (Imanbek Remix),” Imanbek Zeikenov, remixer (Saint Jhn)

Best Engineered Album, Classical
“Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13, ‘Babi Yar,’" David Frost and Charlie Post, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (Riccardo Muti and Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Producer of the Year, Classical
David Frost

Best Orchestral Performance
“Ives: Complete Symphonies,” Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)

Best Opera Recording
“Gershwin: Porgy and Bess,” David Robertson, conductor; Frederick Ballentine, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore and Eric Owens; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; the Metropolitan Opera Chorus)

Best Choral Performance
“Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua,” JoAnn Falletta, conductor; James K. Bass and Adam Luebke, chorus masters (James K. Bass, J’Nai Bridges, Timothy Fallon, Kenneth Overton, Hila Plitmann and Matthew Worth; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and UCLA Chamber Singers)

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
“Contemporary Voices,” Pacifica Quartet

Best Classical Instrumental Solo
“Theofanidis: Concerto for Viola and Chamber Orchestra,” Richard O’Neill; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony)

Continue reading the main story

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
“Smyth: The Prison,” Sarah Brailey and Dashon Burton; James Blachly, conductor (Experiential Chorus; Experiential Orchestra)

Best Classical Compendium
“Thomas, M.T.: From the Diary of Anne Frank & Meditations on Rilke,” Isabel Leonard; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Jack Vad, producer

Best Contemporary Classical Composition
“Rouse: Symphony No. 5,” Christopher Rouse, composer (Giancarlo Guerrero and Nashville Symphony)

Best Music Video
“Brown Skin Girl,” Beyoncé, Blue Ivy and WizKid

Best Music Film
“Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice,” Linda Ronstadt

The Hollywood Reporters' Roundtables: Are They in on the Joke?

With media companies doing these panel discussions like a Comic Con or press junkets or random interviews, it's interesting to see what questions are chosen to be asked, either to dig deeper into a specific production, the behind the scenes of entertainment, or showing how hollywood is just like us! 

Sometimes these talks can borderline seem to be circlejerking each other about the craft of hollywood but others its a unique window into the day in the life. 

 When talking about the scrutiny of the media and press, five out of ten times, watching The Hollywood Reporters' Roundtables, the discussions about various aspects of entertainment, the journalists asking the questions laugh alongside the faces in entertainment like they are their peers. There really seems to be zero awareness to what side of the road the interviewers are on and the negative affect they can have, even while they are asking questionable things in real time. Asking things and bringing up hardships and embarrassments of their past.  

The journalists kind of harsh and negative questions like the most embarrassing things that have happened, or the different horrible auditioning processes or the worst interviews/backlash. 

The women conversations talked about the feedback rather than the shows and even less about the comedy. Looking at the actors comedian roundtable, there's more laughs about their different productions and even the questions were different. Questions for the men did seem more about the production but still talked about the hardships. 

Full negative questions like what is one job you hated, horrible audition stories, talking about the pay disparity, and the hypocrisy and double standards of entertainment needed good interview questions talked about who inspires them, talking about agents and managers, social impact, differences in TV back then and now, etc. 

The one thing you do see with both the actors and the actresses is how fans are so reactive with encounters. It's interesting like from Matthew Perry from Friends and even more specific comedy productions like Fred Armisen's Porlandia or SNL  fan reactions are more of the same just with technology advancing with iphones and social media. 

As a consumer it should be easy to separate an actor or actress from a television show to be a normal person, even any type of entertainment really. There doesn't have to be a barrier between the two but fans can and do go over the line. 

On sites like deuxmoi on Instagram and other gossip sites, it shows fans prank calling and borderline harassing these guys which is bazaar in itself. The new popular TikTokers talk about how parents will drive to their houses and stalking, taking weird liberties with people who don’t know them.

 On the other side, some famous people call the paparazzi on themselves to get their face out there or purposely go to places where they’ll get seen. Actors and actresses can become addicted being doted over, so they may want the fame, but not the crazy, but everyone’s different.

Talking about how much actors take on themselves because of their job, and how much of themselves they put into their acting, you can understand their passion and specific perspective. Comedy is such a unique multifaceted genre where each projects the actor or actresses work on, they do somehow have that shared experience. Slapstick comedy, to standup, to improv, to even the sitcoms, all have their unique audiences and it's interesting to hear the different backgrounds. It could be simply memorizing someone else's works and edited or just make it up as they go along. 

Is entertainment more to get at a viewer or an audiences funny bone or more formulaic with only money on their mind? Also on the same point, is journalism and media made for breaking news or getting finding a scandal for clicks? One does not necessarily need the other but there is that weird symbiosis and give and take of the two. I enjoy this small edited window into the world of hollywood and am curious about eh going ons of it all. 

We Need to Laugh More







The SNL seasons I have watched during and pre-corona, definitely in 2020 the series received highs and lows along with the other productions out there (The Golden Globes happened and I barely recognized any of the shows), this past saturday was definitely a low. Nick Jonas was the host and the musical guest and it was very evident where a majority of the effort went for the night. His musical performance was miles ahead better than the skits. 

Publications go on to talk about how SNL isn't the same and not as good as it once was but even with the hosts this past year I beg to differ. TV shows try to cater toward its audience and that changes week to week and with media becoming more and more involved, I'm sure it's difficult to nail perfectly every week. Social media and streaming shows though definitely boomed this year for sure though. Netflix and Hulu and HBO are huge.


I'm sure back in the day there were less lawyers involved with SNL and working with ads and donors, hell every old story talks about the millions of parties and drugs and drinking that happened. Less censoring for television for sure and the drugs had to bring out more creativity for skits and stuff compared to today. 

Today, everyone will sue anyone so I'm sure production has to walk that fine line. I'm sure television wants people who are hugely popular and doesn't have a bad reputation. Look back to Nick Jonas, this past weekends host. Nick and the other Jonas Brothers grew fame from Disney, who have a reputation of being the squeaky clean kids, then some child actors go through their scandalous phase after, Amanda Bynes, Demi Lovato, Britney Spears...That is a whole separate issue though...



There are still great ways to bring a fresh new take for comedy though. Examples of great hosts this past year include Bill Burr, Dave Chapelle, and Adele. Bill Burr known for toeing the line and his opening monologue definitely got reactions out of people on twitter talking about 'woke' media and BLM. Even Dave Chapelle's 16 minute monologue    talking about the effects of corona and the election. Both had perfect sets. Adele was surprising with her acting and other popular guests were Timothee Chalamet and John Krasinski from The Office.

This year it seemed to be a theme to bring back some of the SNL alums as well. John Mulaney and Chris Rock both were amazing talents and not even talking about the musical guests, Justin bieber, Jack White, Meg the Stallion, all with huge songs. I think that people are complaining about this year because there isn't anything going on really, barely any shows or entertainment. It's hard to be inspired creatively without anything going on. 



News outlets and bloggers often point out how the shows are less and good each time but with this hyper criticism, can you blame shows to have a more kid friendly and PC show? With views mattering so much for the advertisers as well as the millions of opinions of the viewers, everything is now picked through with a fine toothed comb. 

Criticism is not only through word of mouth and tradition news media but social media. Definitely has to be taken into consideration with TV productions like this, with Twitter and the PC warriors to Tik Tok the newest platform. Theres a million of young users on those sites with their own opinions as well as older more tradition media personalities. I'm sure Nick Jonas was a huge get for SNL with his younger demographic and his new album going solo, no scandals and popular seasoned young singer. 

Its the chicken or the egg situation, bloggers and viewers complain about being offended with shock jock humor or complaining about shows being not as good as they once were. The media definitely perpetuates their own opinions onto there huge audience and following. With right now not much happening with corona, everything is being looked at under a microscope. I can't wait for things to open up and more more music, more movies, and just things back to what they were. Anyways, heres a clip of a parody of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from over the summer.

Production Silencing The Bachelor

 The Bachelor reality program has been a popular ABC production for nearly 20 years and this might be one of the biggest news headlines besides all the drama and relationships. One contestant Rachael Kirkconnell on the show this year is caught up with many racially insensitive allegations brought to light, bringing up past actions and comments growing up in the south. Chris Harrison, one of Bachelor productions talks to previous bachelorette Rachel Lindsey in the interview below. Chris seemingly tries to filibuster the interview taking the view away from Bachelor Production and looking toward individual contestants and talking about traditional southern culture involving 'woke' rhetoric. 


The topic about Rachael K showed on Tik Tok about how allegedly including friends bullying people for liking black guys and even bringing up family racial social media posts and likes. Also pictures involving old south parties involving Kappa Alpha has been problematic and controversial. 

For a long time, it has not been a secret that the foundation behind the show is more tradition and caters toward a specific demographic with the premiss of the show. With 30+ girls or guys spending weeks with a person in hopes of an engagement in the end, the new audiences and even social progression throughout the years, is less traditional and more contemporary and modern.  There is no way to erase southern history and forget about things like Antebellum balls, Plantation events, and covert racial undertones in the south, but this shines a light on how different communities and traditions view these events and brings a conversation. 

In the past, backlash includes contestants like Lee Garrett who was on Rachel Lindsey's season as the first black bachelorette, had insensitive racial history brought to light and even previous bachelorette Becca Kufrin ended her engagement after her fiancé Garrett Powell's history came out as well. Social media boomed after Chris Harrison's interview came out and all of bachelor nation came together on the topic of race and accountability of peoples actions. 

With the different backgrounds of all the contestants from the show, everyone's scattered from deep south to beachy California to a more corporate New York to mid western values and upbringings, there are many points of view being shown on television for millions to see every monday night at 8pm. The Bachelor not only is about engagements but includes controversial comments and actions of Rachael K and shines a light on television productions control. Supposedly, Rachael had to wait a while until production approved her statement and speak out.


People have come out against Rachel Lindsey for creating all this drama and even blaming her for Becca Kufrin's engagement. Others denounced this heavy topic and want people to react with grace and compassion. Bachelor production seems to be now on the side of protecting their contestants from controversy for this incident where in the past there hasn't been as much. Dylan Barbour even came out about the control bachelor producers have and can create their own narrative. 
 
People are ready to have an honest conversation about the show and the contestants now. Long is the time where the engagement has been the forefront of this show with the past eight contestants ending engagements for a little as two months to two years, not exactly a great track record. Looking closer into contracts and testimonies shows the affects of production during the showing and after the fact, creating false reputations and representations of people  throughout the show. Previous contestants and color call out their inequity on the program as well. Reality television has always toed the line with being unscripted and a fully produced and manufactured show. Bachelor host Chris Harrison has announced he has temporarily stepped down from his position and we will see where the production goes from here. 

Reason 134 Why Dating 30 People Isn't the Best

First and foremost, I understand this show has a little to very poor track record in terms of relationships and I don't know why reality shows are just so addicting but some are.  The show The Bachelor has been around for nearly 20 years, accumulating other shows The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and Olympic themed The Bachelor: Winter Games. 

The whole corona and quarantine thing this past 2020  has caused truly put the show to the test, creating inventive ways to comply with production regulations as well as create a successful show series. 

But corona really wasn't as an issue for the most part this year. 2020 started off with the short lived Bachelorette Clare Crawley with Dale Moss leaving together after a few weeks ultimately ending a five month engagement.  

The filming for The Bachelorette this past summer with Tayshia Adams was less adventurous than normal with their location being at La Quinta in Palms Springs in the dead of summer. Little to no drama happened this year but thats what The Bachelor is for. Stick 30 women in a room fighting for the love of one handsome man theres bound to be confrontation. 

The bachelor Matt James actually was not apart of the coveted Bachelor Nation, never having been on a show before like previous leads so I'm assuming this year was fun for production. I don't fail to realize production plays a huge role in perception vs reality and there are a million of examples of people being characterized a villain vs hero vs other roles played in the show so Lets break down the roles of this year. 

The villain

The minions

The hero

The damsel in distress

The underdog



So The villain in the beginning seemed to be Victoria with her loud opinions trying to be the voice of the group. But now that position has moved from Victoria to Anna who spread an unconfirmed rumor to the whole house and now it seems like the Villain edit is going to MJ who seemingly spearheaded the whole, new girls vs old girls rivalry. 

The minions are basically villains in training. So putting all the villains in one room, also adding Kit and Serena C seemingly for enjoying and participating in the drama. The bachelor also forms two huge groups and end up pitting them against each other. Some handle the stress well and others not so much. 

The hero is obvious, definitely Katie being the eyes and ears for matt in the girls house. She comes to Sarah's side after hearing about her father and she comes to Brittany's aid with the rumor as well. Plus just a simple comic relief with her dildo and being light-hearted about the whole show.

The damsel in distress for sure is Sarah's edit. Her helping her father with ALS in her opening intro package and leading to seeing how the house collectively reacted to her talking about her insecurities about the show after her one on one. Things really have changed perspective though with information on social media with her apparently doing this for fame, such as being linked with rapper G Eazy, Sharing tips about how to be an influencer on Tik Tok and seemingly being back with her boyfriend she was with before she went on tv. 

It seems like there are four underdogs, people who Matt has shown really good chemistry with and above and beyond others. At the first few episodes Bri was a fan favorite with her and matts cute date but since Rachel's shopping date has really taken things up a notch. Pieper Michelle and Serena P have all quietly built up a relationship with Matt.