In honor of the Grammy's last weekend, I thought I would make my first post about music. Full disclosure, I have very minimal experience in actually playing music, and I also have basically no expertise in music or musical quality. On the other hand, I take heavy interest in music and consider myself to have respectable musical taste. To start off, I cannot help myself but to say what everyone has already said: Beyoncé and Jay-Z's opening performance was the best and most impressive part of the entire night, and I can't wait to see what Beyoncé gets nominated for at the 2015 Grammy's.
There are over sixty Grammy award categories, but there are really only a handful of categories that I either know anything about or feel that they are worthy of talking about. Those categories are Best Rap Album, Best Alternative Music Album, and Best Pop Vocal Album. I am a proud Kanye West fan, and I firmly believe Yeezus should have won Best Rap Album. It was groundbreaking and fresh. West's blunt and outright form of lyricism is something the hip hop world does not see much of lately.
I was very excited to hear that Vampire Weekend won Best Alternative Music Album. Modern Vampires of the City is cheerful and catchy, and I could listen to "Diane Young" no matter what mood I am in and it would leave me smiling. The fact that Justin Timberlake did not win Best Pop Vocal Album for The 20/20 Experience - The Complete Experience was disappointing to me. However, I am probably a little bit biased, since I have been a fan of and had a crush on Justin Timberlake since I was probably thirteen years old. He is a truly multitalented artist, and while this album was unconventional compared to his previous albums, he executed it extremely well. Also, where was he at the Grammy's? I don't even think he had a seat, and that is a disappointment in itself!
Music is a very integral part of my life. I have music playing while I am cleaning my apartment, while I am driving in my car, while I work out, and even when I am in the shower. So naturally, I have always enjoyed discovering new music and new artists. I have a very wide range of music taste. My iPod is filled with songs by artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, The Black Keys, Kanye West, Flume, Alexi Murdoch, and Beyoncé of course. One of my favorite artists right now is The Weeknd. The Weeknd puts a new wave spin on smooth R&B with mysterious yet self-assured melodies and haunting falsettos. I have actually seen him twice--once at Coachella a couple years ago, and once in Washington, D.C. when I was visiting my sister.
As much as I love watching the Grammy's, which normally showcase big-name artists that are part of the mainstream pop culture, I also have great respect and appreciation for many talented musicians that are not as well-known. I go on all kinds of sites online such as The Kollection to search for new sounds and unsigned artists.
It was when I saw the Weeknd perform in Washington, D.C. that I discovered a new artist--his opening act, a soulful singer by the name of BANKS. Her voice powered through the entire venue of Constitution Hall. Although she stood on stage under a simple spotlight with no gimmicks or props, her cool black dress and long, stick-straight black hair was somehow a very loud and powerful visual. Her music is uniquely both dark and uplifting, matching her soulful rich voice with new wave beats. Here is one of my favorite songs BANKS has recorded, titled "Waiting Game."
