'Book of Rhymes' spells out hip-hop's artistry Apr 3, 2009
" He calls on the words of Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin, among others, to defend the rough slang and graphic realism of the art.If hip-hop's illicit tales should be considered acts of creation just as the macabre stories of Stephen King are, Bradley notes that "horror music" is just one of hip-hop's many literary approaches. If some MCs are like screenwriters, he suggests, others are investigative reporters, biographers, and memoirists, even comedians, children's authors, and spiritualists.If... (Boston Globe)
Why is Beyoncé in Edmonton? Mar 28, 2009
The audience, which included Mr. Beyonc rap legend Jay-Z, went wild when the singer mixed lyrics from her new release If I Were a Boy with Canadian songstress Alanis Morissette's rock anthem You Oughta Know. Beyonc saved some of her most popular material for last, including the monster hit Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Jermaine Dupri Picks The 10 Albums That Define Atlanta Mar 28, 2009
" 5. Life in 1472 by Jermaine Dupri "This was the beginning of ATL swagger; the true introduction of Jay-Z to the South and the most classic hip-hop record created 'Money Ain't a Thang. " 6. Soul Food by the Goodie Mob "This album shows the real diversity of the city and a glimpse into what ATL sounds like now. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Shawty Lo Recalls Fast-Paced Youth In His Atlanta 'Hood Mar 27, 2009
Biggie, Tupac, Jay-Z, Master P, UGK and 8Ball & MJG were all neighbo 00004000 rhood favorites, and while the hip-hop music articulated what Lo would see the hustlers do outside his window, he developed dreams. He wanted to be just like them the hustlers, not the rappers. (VHI.com -- Music News)
A focused T.I. prepares for prison time Mar 26, 2009
Paper Trail is almost double platinum off the strength of chart-topping singles What Ever You Like and Live Your Life featuring Rihanna; Dead and Gone with Justin Timberlake is now the countrys No. 2 single on Billboards Hot 100 chart, and the song Swagga Like Us, featuring M.I.A., Kanye West, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne, was performed by T.I. and crew at the Grammys. T.I., who starred in the 2006 film ATL, signed a three-movie deal with Screen Gems, his new... (MSNBC -- News)
Gucci Mane: Atlanta's Next Mainstream Star? Mar 26, 2009
"He's like Master P without the No Limit Soldiers or the executive knowledge that P [has]. But it really hasn't been nobody like [Gucci] in a long time that's ghetto, 'hood and gutta. He's almost in a lane by himself. The people that love him, love him. You see how people are hating on Soulja Boy or other artists from the South that are not your [lyrical guys] such as Jay-Z or Nas or Rakim. They don't hate on Gucci like that.". The Bouldercrest native's approach to success hasn't been your... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Jim Jones Documentary Examines Cam'ron Feud Mar 19, 2009
In a separate interview, Dash said he was frustrated by the crew's division, citing his own break from Jay-Z as a reason the Dips shouldn't have had such a rift ... "I'm not so much a fan of you," she said to Dash, when he asked her if he should appear in Jones' videos like he did in Jay-Z's during the Roc-A-Fella heyday. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Rick Ross Album Preview: Deeper Than Rap Is 'The Best Music Of My Career' Mar 19, 2009
" Meanwhile, highlights from "King of New York" played for the audience's eyes. Former G-Unit ally Bang 'Em Smurf is featured on the song, speaking towards the end of the track. "Usual Suspects" was one of the night's most anticipated songs. Ross has proven his skills with the best of them, rapping on tracks throughout his career with the likes of Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe and T.I. How would he do with the legendary Nas? Ross started off the song rapping about his plight to get to... (VHI.com -- Music News)
'Legend of Zelda' gets street cred Mar 18, 2009
The album, named after the Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, takes current rap songs from artists such as Jay-Z and Common and remixes them with music from Nintendo's classic The Legend of Zelda franchise. Each song listed also names the Zelda song used in the remix, in case you need to refresh your memory. (USA Today -- Tech)
Morgan St. tops Norfolk St. men 83-69 for their 1st MEAC crown Mar 15, 2009
The mood lightened, and he wore the net around his neck as he quoted noted philosopher Jay-Z. ... Jay-Z came, What you want me to do. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Jadakiss, Green Lantern Bury Their Beef: Mixtape Monday Mar 10, 2009
" To the dismay of fans not to mention the two gentlemen involved themselves Kiss and Green had a serious falling out on the heels of making the first Champ, one of the all--time great street CDs (no gas here, it was that damn good. A phone conversation between the two popped up on a street DVD. They were discussing Jada's then brewing battle with 50 Cent. In the aftermath of the footage going public, . Lantern has since gone on to spin at shows for the likes of Nas and Jay-Z. In fact, it was... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Fredette: Being a Cougar an honor Mar 3, 2009
My favorites are Eminem and Jay-Z. And I wear new socks for every game. Its just comfortable. (The Daily Universe, UT)
Play N Skillz Want In On Lil Wayne And T-Pain's 'T-Wayne' Project Feb 26, 2009
" After rappers such as Pitbull passed on using the track for one reason or another, T-Pain took custody of the beat but wouldn't tell the producers who he had in mind to rap on the song. "I thought Jay-Z," Play said. "Somebody. I'm not saying Wayne isn't that caliber, but this was prior to Carter III eight, nine months prior to Carter III. I thought it was Kanye or T.I., somebody that had already put albums out before that that was [currently] multiplatinum level. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Stompin' in My Air Force One Feb 26, 2009
How will hip-hop see itself now that the most powerful man in the country is a) black and b) a Jay-Z fan ... (His admiration for Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, and Kanye West would displease no rap blogger worth his RSS feed ... Since November, Young Jeezy has teamed up with Jay-Z for a of the former's "My President," in which Obama figures as the ultimate status symbol: "My president is black, my Maybach too." Busta Rhymes and Ron Browz released a of the club hit "Pop Champagne," the title of... (Slate)
Both personal and political Feb 24, 2009
But rap still clings to a fierce sense of locality, which is why rap fans in many countries dress, walk and even talk as if they came from the same neighbourhoods as Jay-Z and Eminem. Kanaan Warsame became a rap fan before he could understand the English lyrics. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Rick Ross Gets Lil Wayne, Mary J. Blige, Nas To Go Deeper Than Rap Feb 19, 2009
The Miami Boss says his new album, due in March, 'is shattering the game. I would never disrespect that record and those rhymes, just to say I topped it. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Rap artist gains popularity Feb 19, 2009
His parents were fans of bands like The Temptations and Bruce Springsteen, and Roth did not fall in love with hip-hop until 1998 when he heard a song by Jay-Z.. Roth recorded some of his music in high school and after selling 250 copies in two days he accepted the fact that he could have a future in hip-hop. (The University Echo, TN)
Here's your Grammy trophy, and some extra album sales Feb 19, 2009
Jay-Z, who joined the Rap Pack and Coldplay, did not resurface on the chart. Nor did Al Green, despite a performance and double wins. (USA Today)
Scoop: Octuplets mom boosts magazine sales Feb 19, 2009
For me, Jay-Zs my big brother, but what he was to me in rap is what Marc Jacobs is to me in fashion the feeling I get when I look at him is exactly what I got when Id look at Jay-Z in the studio. . (MSNBC -- Gossip)
Bitesize Brits: The nominees Feb 19, 2009
Brief bio: Texan pop princess who rose from the frontwoman of Destiny's Child to solo success and marriage to Jay-Z. Her latest album is recorded under the pseudonym Sasha Fierce ... Brief bio: Known to his mother as Shawn Carter, rapper Jay-Z conquered Glastonbury in 2008. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Kanye West Explains 'Jockin' Jay-Z' Sample, Drops Exclusive Freestyle, More In Mixtape Monday Feb 18, 2009
" Kanye on the Sample of Run's "Jockin' Jay-Z": "[Run] says, 'I see you jockin' J.C.' But it sounds like 'Jay-Z.' And I had the idea from the last album ... Psychologically, they're like, 'How could he have said "jockin' Jay-Z" 20 years ago ... " Young also said he'd welcome Bill O'Reilly and Dennis Miller to come to his environment and discuss the claims made on "The O'Reilly Factor" that he and Jay-Z were racist based on lyrics in the song "My President. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Rapper MIA gives birth - days after performing at the Grammys Feb 16, 2009
She took part in a scene-stealing performance at the show along with Kanye West, Jay-Z, TI and Lil' Wayne, wearing an outfit exposing her swollen stomach. "Me and baby are putting our tour dates for 2010 together, making mix tapes, and figuring out a way to break out of the hospital!," she wrote. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
ROSES, RAP, ROMANCE Feb 15, 2009
Mine is Jay-Z and Justin's is Nas. I had a really hard time accepting that anyone would question Jay-Z's status as "best rapper alive," but I got over it and we moved on ... She said she likes Jay-Z, but I think he's horrible. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Has Brown Beaten Rihanna Before? Feb 13, 2009
According to Us Weekly magazine, rap mogul Jay-Z, who discovered and mentored Rihanna, "hit the roof" when he found out about the alleged fight. Actor Terrence Howard came to Brown's defense Tuesday, telling Hollywood. (ABC News)
2/15: Rapper T.I. Feb 11, 2009
For fans of: Jay-Z, 2pac, Young Jeezy. Trivia: T.I. spent 13 of the final 18 weeks of 2008 at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 with Live Your Life and Whatever You Like. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Grammys show Plant, Krauss a whole lotta love Feb 11, 2009
Stevie Wonder performed with the Jonas Brothers and even a nine-months pregnant woman - the rapper M.I.A. - hobbled out on the stage to join the dapperly dressed Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T.I. in a "rap summit" performance of T.I.'s "Swagger Like Us." ... Among them: U2 kicking things off with their new single "Get on Your Boots"; Lil Wayne and Allen Toussaint paying tribute to New Orleans; Neil Diamond singing "Sweet Caroline"; Radiohead performing with the University of Southern... (Missourian Publishing, MO)
What Should a Hugely Pregnant Sexpot Pop Star Wear, Anyway? Feb 11, 2009
I grew up with hip-hop and still like a lot of it, and despite the sometimes potty-mouthed and offensive rhymes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, and T.I., there's no denying their talent. But the men were beside the point on Sunday night; M.I.A. was the point. (Slate)
Top 10 Pregnant Performers Feb 11, 2009
There she was in all her glory, happy as can be in her part peek-a-boo, part polka-dot top on the stage of the 51st Grammy Awards on Feb. 8. M.I.A., nominated for Record of the Year for. (Time.com)
Post-Grammy bashes lower-key affairs with no-shows Feb 10, 2009
(AP) -- The decorations were modest and hors d'oeuvres resembled comfort food, but award winners still boozed it up in style at Island Def Jam Music Group chairman Antonio "L.A." Reid's Grammy after-party, despite big no-shows Rihanna, Beyonce and Jay-Z. ... Beyonce and her rapper hubby, Jay-Z, who snagged a trophy with T.I. for "Swagga Like Us," featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne, were confirmed for seats at the dinner, but never showed up. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Grand ol' time at the Grammys Feb 10, 2009
Even the less successful moments, such as Jay-Z rapping over the piano playing of Coldplay's Chris Martin, held some artistic daring. Heightening the preshow intrigue were reports that the R&B singer Chris Brown was being questioned and held on $50,000 (U.S.) bail by Los Angeles police for allegedly assaulting a woman, while girlfriend and singing star Rihanna also backed out of the show at the last minute. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Full-tilt performances and defiant bravado Feb 10, 2009
But Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and T. I. introduced as "the Rap Pack" and shown in black and white were upstaged by the song's hook singer, M.I.A., who was nine months pregnant and performed in a skin-tight polka-dotted outfit. Jay-Z also joined Coldplay, rapping his part from a remix of their forlorn ballad "Lost": "If you succeed prepare to be crucified." Coldplay went on to perform the song "Viva la Vida" (song of the year), wearing pastel Sgt. Pepper-style outfits and sounding more than... (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Plant & Krauss dominates Grammys Feb 10, 2009
In the pre-telecast awards, Lil Wayne won best rap solo performance for "A Milli" and he shared the Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group with Jay-Z, T.I. and Kanye West for "Swagga Like Us." Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" was named best rap song. But Plant and Krauss were unbeatable on Grammy night. (Xinhuanet, China)
Grammys go for the dramatic Feb 10, 2009
The Grammy telecast was filled with eye-popping and eyebrow-raising performances, from Radiohead's collaboration with a college marching band to a televised black-and-white throwback performance from Jay-Z, T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye West and a (very) pregnant M.I.A.. But the absences of Brown and Rihanna put a huge hole in the Grammy telecast. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Complete Grammy Award coverage Feb 10, 2009
Stevie Wonder performed with the Jonas Brothers and even a nine-months pregnant woman the rapper M.I.A. hobbled out on the stage to join the dapperly dressed Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T.I. in a rap summit performance of T.I. s Swagger Like Us ... Among them: U2 kicking things off with their new single Get on Your Boots ; Lil Wayne and Allen Toussaint paying tribute to New Orleans; Neil Diamond singing Sweet Caroline ; Radiohead performing with the University of Southern California... (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Lil Wayne Wins Four Grammy Awards Feb 10, 2009
Lil Wayne also won for his featured performance on Swagga Like Us by T.I. featuring Kanye West, Jay-Z, M.I.A. and Lil Wayne ... His cool performance of Swagga Like Us, brought raps greatest on the stage together Lil Wayne with T.I., Jay-Z, Kanye West and M.I.A.. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Britons new and old celebrate Grammy triumphs Feb 10, 2009
The event, featured performances including a show-opening U2, showcasing their new single, Get on your Boots, while McCartney joined up with Foo Fighters' singer Dave Grohl on drums, and Coldplay took to the stage with Jay-Z. Radiohead performed with the University of Southern California marching band, but MIA, the British dance artist known to her mother as Mathangi Arulpragasam, was more notable, performing at nine months' pregnant. The biggest emotional moment came when Jennifer Hudson, the... (guardian.co.uk)
Grammys 2009: Selected winners Feb 10, 2009
Best rap solo performance Lil' Wayne - A Milli Also nominated: Jay-Z - Rock Boys (And The Winner Is), Lupe Fiasco - Paris, Tokyo, Nas - N.i. ... Best rap performance by a duo or group Jay-Z and TI ft Kanye West and Lil Wayne - Swagga Like Us Also nominated: Big Boi/Raekwon/Andre 3000 - Royal Flush, Ludacris ft TI - Wish You Would, Young Jeezy ft Kanye West ... Best rap album Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III Also nominated: Jay-Z - American Gangster, Lupe Fiasco - The Cool, Nas - Nas, TI - Paper... (BBC News -- Entertainment)
List of Grammy nominees and winners Feb 9, 2009
Best rap album: American Gangster, Jay-Z Tha Carter III, Lil Wayne The Cool, Lupe Fiasco Untitled, Nas Paper Trail, T.I. ... Best rap solo performance: Roc Boys (And the Winner Is), Jay-Z A Milli, Lil Wayne Paris, Tokyo, Lupe Fiasco N.i.. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Grammy highlights Feb 9, 2009
Fab four: Introduced by Queen Latifah as "the rap pack," Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T.I. were decked out in tuxes and ties as they strutted through a hot version of their hit single, Swagga Like Us. They were joined by M.I.A., who danced with the four rappers despite her pregnancy. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
List of winners Feb 9, 2009
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Swagga Like Us," Jay-Z and T.I. featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne (Roc-A-Fella/Grand Hustle/Atlantic). Rap/Sung Collaboration: "American Boy," Estelle featuring Kanye West, track from "Shine" (Homeschool/Atlantic). (The Palm Beach Post)
Grammy Winners: Lil Wayne And Coldplay Have A Big Night Feb 9, 2009
" And, for most of the night, that was as emotional as it got during acceptance speeches. Unlike, say, the Oscars or Golden Globes, at the Grammys, the drama was not in the teary shout-outs to those who got the artists to the big stage; it was in the many performances that , as well as the breaking news from the stage that and that Green Day are calling their eagerly anticipated new album 21st Century Breakdown. Among the highlights: Justin Timberlake took the stage with his Memphis hero, soul... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Grammys recap: No 'selling out' for big winners Robert Plant & Alison Krauss Feb 9, 2009
BEST PERFORMANCE AND WORST OUTFIT BY A PREGNANT WOMAN: Rapper M.I.A., who was due to give birth Grammy night, held her own during an all-boys' rap summit on "Swagga Like Us" with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T.I. But, oh, that outfit ... Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: "Swagga Like Us," Jay-Z and T.I. featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne (Roc-A-Fella/Grand Hustle/Atlantic). (Seacoast New Hampshire)
It's a High-5 Night for U2 Feb 9, 2009
AWARDS DATABASE All of the winners, all of the nominees, all of the awards shows. Up Next Feb. 8 51st Annual Grammy Awards. (Yahoo News -- Grammy Awards)
Grammy Nominations: A Refresher Before The Big Show Feb 9, 2009
Carter" Ludacris (featuring T.I.), "Wish You Would" Young Jeezy (featuring Kanye West), "Put On"Record of the Year Adele, "Chasing Pavements" Coldplay, "Viva la Vida" Leona Lewis, "Bleeding Love" M.I.A., "Paper Planes" Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, "Please Read the Letter"Song of the Year Estelle (featuring Kanye West), "American Boy" Adele, "Chasing Pavements" Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours" Sara Bareilles, "Love Song" Coldplay, "Viva la Vida"Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Early Grammy Winners Include Lil Wayne, Kanye West Feb 9, 2009
" Weezy and 'Ye also had won for the Best Duo or Group Performance with Jay-Z and T.I. for The White Stripes' Jack White took an award home for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for the Raconteurs' Consolers of the Lonely. The "Juno" soundtrack won for the Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. AndRobert Plant & Alison Krauss, who could have a big night, got the ball rolling early, with a pre-telecast win in the Best Contemporary... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Plant, Krauss raise Grammy ruckus with five wins Feb 9, 2009
One final drama that didn't play out: M.I.A., expecting her baby the day of the awards show, gamely performed as part of an all-star rap group with Kanye West, Jay-Z, T.I. and Lil Wayne on Swagga Like Us. Posted. (USA Today -- Life)
Plant, Krauss win five awards, including album of the year Feb 9, 2009
" The Grammy telecast was filled with eye-popping and eyebrow-raising performances, from Radiohead's collaboration with a college marching band to a televised black-and-white throwback performance from Jay-Z, T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye West and a very pregnant M.I.A. But the absences of Brown and Rihanna put a huge hole in the Grammy telecast. Rihanna was supposed to sing "Live Your Life/Disturbia" as the second performance of the night, Brown later was to sing "Forever ... Lil Wayne was the... (Athens Banner-Herald)
ANALYSIS: Lil Wayne's big night was missing one thing Feb 9, 2009
He did win best rap album, rap solo for A Milli, rap song for Lollipop and rap by duo or group for Swagga Like Us with Jay-Z, T.I. and Kanye West. Still, the voters continued to show reluctance to give the big prize to grittier hip-hop acts. (USA Today -- Life)
Grammys photos & comments (including disses to Paul McCartney) Feb 9, 2009
Now Jay-Z is singing with him. Which is to say, Jay-Z is rapping next to him ... Lil Wayne was the nominations leader with eight, and won best rap solo performance for "A Milli," rap song for "Lollipop" and rap/sung collaboration for "Swagga Like Us," an all-star song featuring Jay-Z, T.I. and Kanye West. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
A political entry to the Grammys Feb 9, 2009
The song has been covered by Rihanna, and a very recognizable sample from it is the basis for Swagga Like Us, an all-star rap track by T.I. (with Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Kanye West) that's also up for two Grammys. Those remixes, covers and secondary uses have driven a very diverse public toward the original source. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Georgia artists win Grammys Feb 8, 2009
T.I. Rap performance by a duo or group ( Swagga Like Us, featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne) Georgia tie: T.I. is an Atlanta native. CeCe Winans Pop/contemporary gospel album ( Thy Kingdom Come ) Georgia tie: Detroit native Winans relocated to Atlanta. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Plant, Krauss are big winners at Grammys Feb 8, 2009
Absences put hole in telecastThe Grammy telecast was filled with eye-popping and eyebrow-raising performances, from Radioheads collaboration with the USC marching band to a televised black-and-white throwback performance from Jay-Z, T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye West and a (very) pregnant M.I.A. ... Lil Wayne was the nominations leader with eight, and won best rap solo performance for A Milli, rap song for Lollipop and rap/sung collaboration for Swagga Like Us, an all-star song... (MSNBC -- Music)
Plant, Krauss have record of year Feb 8, 2009
Four famed rappers -- T.I., Kanye West, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne -- were called the "Rap Pack" in a segment that followed a tribute to one of the Rat Pack singers, Dean Martin, who received a lifetime achievement award. With them was M.I.A., extremely pregnant but giving it her all. (CNN -- Money)
Seacoast Pop Culture Feb 8, 2009
Entertainment you don't have to feel too guilty for caring about (since we care too). Did we hurt Kate Winslet's feelings. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
At Grammys, music and some awards, too Feb 8, 2009
She joined the rap dream team of Jay-Z, T. I., Kanye West and Lil Wayne, whose song "Swagga Like Us" samples M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes," which itself had been up for record of the year ... Coldplay collaborated with the rap don Jay-Z, and the teenage pop princesses Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus joined to sing Swift's song "Fifteen.". (International Herald Tribune)
Best and worst Grammy moments Feb 8, 2009
But when Jay-Z interrupted Chris Martin's pretty spotlight solo with a guttural "Ugh" to rap a verse of Coldplay's Lost, we spat a little ginger ale on our keyboard out of shock. Best apology: While collecting the song-of-the-year Grammy, Coldplay took the opportunity to apologize for their outfits. (Calgary Herald)
It's Lil Wayne Vs. T.I.: Grammy Predictions For Best Rap Album Feb 8, 2009
Most predict one of the Southern lyricists will beat out fellow nominees Jay-Z, Nas and Lupe Fiasco ... " New York titans Jay-Z and Nas were also lauded for their recent projects, but critics don't think either album has the legs to keep pace in this category. "I think Nas' album was nominated 'cause of the message," Thompson told MTV News. "It was more of a political or social stance from an MC rather than the body of his work ... The album, like Nas' album, made its debut at #1, but... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Grammys Handed Out In L.A. Feb 8, 2009
Jay-Z and T.I. featuring Kanye West and Lil' Wayne, for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Swagga Like Us.". Lil' Wayne, who led all nominees going into the ceremony with eight nods, also won a Grammy for Best Rap Album for "Tha Carter III." The rapper, who performed near the end of the Grammy telecast, took home four trophies total. (Click2Houston, TX)
Kanye West Promises 'Overwhelming' 'Swagga' At Grammys Feb 8, 2009
Ye says his rehearsal with T.I., Lil Wayne and Jay-Z went down without a hitch ... "Just, like, the amount of egos that's in the room. ... Everybody just has to check their ego at the door. And I think Jay is the O.G., Frank Sinatra of all of us that everybody looked up to. Jay, at the end of the day, everybody that was in that room's got a rap that sounded exactly like a Jay-Z rap. So, for us to be in the presence of Jay-Z, the greatest living rapper, he balances all the egos. Mugs don't act... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Grammys play pass the mike for myriad performances Feb 8, 2009
"It all stems from a keystone number, Swagga Like Us, that brings together the ultimate hip-hop summit of Kanye West, Jay-Z, T.I. and Lil Wayne," Ehrlich says. "We use that as an anchor and amplify it so each artist has a major presence elsewhere in the show.". (USA Today -- Life)
It's a High-5 Night for U2 Feb 8, 2009
AWARDS DATABASE All of the winners, all of the nominees, all of the awards shows. Up Next Feb. 7 Writers Guild Awards (61st Annual). (Yahoo News -- Grammy Awards)
Plant, Krauss win 5 Grammys; Brown booked Feb 8, 2009
" As she sang the last note, she looked directly into the camera and dissolved into tears once again.The Grammy telecast was filled with eye-popping and eyebrow-raising performances, from Radiohead's collaboration with a college marching band to a televised black-and-white throwback performance from Jay-Z, T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye West and a (very) pregnant M.I.A. on "Swagga Like Us. " 1 | Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,... (Albany Times Union)
Coldplay cleans up at Grammys Feb 8, 2009
Lil Wayne whose album Tha Carter III sold more copies than anything else in 2008 took home awards for best rap performance for A Milli, best rap song for Lollipop and shared the award for best rap performance by a duo or group with T.I., Jay-Z and Kanye West for Swagga Like Us, which they were scheduled to perform later ... Thank you so much, we've never had so many Grammys in our lives, said front man Chris Martin, who earlier performed on piano with Jay-Z before joining his group onstage for... (Globe and Mail)
Grammys hope for the unexpected Feb 7, 2009
The biggest nominees are Lil Wayne, who is up for eight awards, including album of the year and each of the five prizes in the rap category; Coldplay, with seven nominations; and Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, each with six ... Jay-Z, T. I., Lil Wayne and Kanye West will perform their single, "Swagga Like Us," with M.I.A. pregnancy permitting whose song "Paper Planes" (up for record of the year) is sampled in it. (International Herald Tribune)
A political entry to the Grammys Feb 7, 2009
The song has been covered by Rihanna, and a very recognizable sample from it is the basis for Swagga Like Us, an all-star rap track by T.I. (with Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Kanye West) that's also up for two Grammys. Those remixes, covers and secondary uses have driven a very diverse public toward the original source. (Globe and Mail)
