Hey Ya! OutKast has stanked their way into rap history. The experimental hip-hoppers won three trophies at Sunday's Grammy Awards. Among the duo's wins was Album of the Year (for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below), marking the first time a rap duo (band or group) has ever won the prestigious honor. Also, making history was Beyoncé who tied the record for most trophies won by a female artist with five honors including Best R&B Song ("Crazy In Love").

Prince C. of American Black and Jay Smooth of Hiphopmusic.com did an excellent job of covering Sunday's Grammy Awards telecast.

Some of my thoughts on the Grammy kudofest:

I have to applaud Prince and Beyoncé for their excellent opening performance. The duo sung a medley of princely hits from the Purple One's classic rock movie Purple Rain to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the influential song and movie. Wouldn't it have been cool if the Time and Vanity 6 were on stage performing? You know, a Purple Rain reunion of sorts. I also was hoping that Prince and Beyoncé would do a rendition of "Take Me With You." Nevertheless, it was a bravo performance.

Luther Vandross had me holding back a tear. I got choked up when I saw him -- via videotape -- thanking his fans for honoring him at the all-star music event. "I wish I could be with you there tonight. I want to thank everyone for your love and support," he said. "And remember, when I say goodbye it's never for long, because" -- and he sang -- "I believe in the power of love!"

That was a Grammy moment for me.

I'm so glad that Luther is recovering well considering that this dickhead dumb-ass writer reported that he was in poor health. For me, Luther showed that he was in good spirits. Did Luther look like a man who was [incoherent] as far as making sense and understanding [of what's going on] since his stroke last year? Nope. I don't think so. He may never sing again, but I think Luther will be around to bring us joy if not with his music, certainly with his spirit.

I was a little worried for OutKast. Although they won two awards, including Best Rap Album, they got robbed in the Record of the Year category. Clearly, Andre 3000's "Hey Ya" should have won, but I have to say, that I do like Coldplay's "Clocks" song. But I have to agree with my man Jay Smooth, "Fear of a Rap Planet strikes again." Coldplay is a nice band, but it's obvious that NARAS showed their age, cyncisms, and "(pale) true colors" in choosing "Clocks" over "Hey Ya." But 'Kast did win the much sough-after prize -- Album of the Year for their hip-hop masterpiece Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Andre "Ice Cold" 3000 was looking hot in his green "Indian-styled" outfit, performing a grand rendition of "Hey Ya" complete with a marching band. All and all, I'm happy that OutKast was able to shine at the Grammies. And what was up with Andre's quick acceptance speech? "Thank you" and then he hurried down to his seat. Maybe Andre felt that their double-CD wasn't a rap album? Maybe he was sending a message: Since hip-hop is "so-called" dead, no thank-yous were needed. Or maybe, Andre was just being "Ice Cold." He's simply just too cool. I like his "Stank you very much" speech.

And boo to Justin Timberlake for punking out on the Janet Jackson "nipplegate" controversy. "I know it's been a rough week on everybody," said Justin, while accepting the Best Male Pop Vocal Performance award for "Cry Me a River. "What occurred was unintentional, completely regrettable, and I apologize if you guys are offended." C'mon white boy, you wanted to see Janet's nipple just like everybody else. Be honest you punk ass. Oh, and Justin Timberlake is overrated. Music critics have got to stop calling him the "next Marvin Gaye." (Y'all know who y'all are . . . you silly writers.) He's not, let's move on.

Hey, I loved Black Eye Peas' performance of "Where's The Love." BEP came up empty at the kudofest but at least people know who BEP are now. And yes, Black Eye Peas are indeed hip-hop. Just because they are performing a positive song (with Justin Timberlake), doesn't mean they are not a "real" rap group." Hip-hop covers a myriad of subject matter not exclusive to busting gats and shaking booties. Ya heard me?

Ashanti . . . looking hot.

Jay-Z . . . looking dapper. (Put those expensive throwbacks back in the closet, it's time to button up!)

Mary J. Blige . . . looking like a canary. Well, she is a songbird.

Bootsy Collins . . . looking leopard-y. Ah, the dude to Boosty's left is Buckethead. He's actually a great guitar player. Really! As far as his wardrobe . . . well, nobody's perfect.

Beyoncé . . . pretty in pink.

Forget about Janet's nipple. Paulina Rubio shows off a little butt crack. You can almost see it HERE. On E! Television's Grammy "Red Carpet Arrivals" special, I saw a little crack. She is such a hottie. I think I found my future baby mama.

Missy Elliott . . . you work it girl! Miss E should have won the Best Rap Album trophy.

I'm done . . .

Holla!

(Via The K-Chronicles)

K-Chronicles tackles "Nipplegate"

To view the full image, click THIS.

Holla!

Props goes to Jay Smooth who coined the hilarious phrase of word -- Nipplegate.

Janet Jackson has apologized for her breast-baring stunt at Sunday's Super Bowl in Houston, claiming it was her decision to do it during final rehearsals with accomplice Justin Timberlake. "It was not my intention that it go as far as it did," Janet says. The FCC will launch a full investigation into nipplegate with FCC Chairman Michael Powell leading the charge. "I am outraged at what I saw during the halftime show of the Super Bowl," says Powell. "I have instructed the Commission to open an immediate investigation into [Sunday's] broadcast. Our investigation will be thorough and swift."

Meanwhile, Janet and Justin will attend the Feb. 8 Grammy ceremonies as planned, despite earlier reports that Grammy organizers decided to ban them from the all-star kudofest. However, there will be a 7-second delay throughout the broadcast.

"Fool me once, shame on you! Fool me twice, shame on the Grammys!"

And here's some interesting news, Canuk rock chick FeFe Dobson will perform at the Pro Bowl halftime on Sunday, Feb. 8 in Honolulu, Hawaii. I can gurantee you she won't pull a nipple stunt -- ala Janet Jackson -- but I can always hope that she does. (She's such a hottie!)

Also, veteran advertising/marketing rep Erin Patton (President & Chief Strategist of The Mastermind Group) wrote a very funny and fictitious account of what he believes were the "behind-the-scenes" circumstances that led up to Janet Jackson's peek-a-boob performance at the Super Bowl. (Remember the story is a work of fiction but I wouldn't be surprise if some of it mirrors reality.)

In other news . . . Janet Jackson's serviced her new single "Just A Little While" to radio on Monday. To listen to Janet's new single, click THIS.

The song is too guitar-y for my taste, but it's definitely prototype Janet -- sing-songy, flirtatious, sexual charged and upbeat.

What do you think of Janet's new song -- hit or miss?

On another note, I would like to thank you -- the readers -- for visiting Beats And Rants. On Monday, I had 2,000 unique visitors, the most visits I ever had on any given day. On Tuesday, I had an additional 2,000 visitors. In total, I had 4,000 unique visits in two days. Y'all blew my shit up! My sitemeter was going craazzzy. I'm lucky to get 4,000 visitors in a month.

I ain't mad at cha.

Keep coming back. I'll try and keep updating this weblog on a daily basis. Thank you for leaving comments and trackbacking to my weblog, too.

Holla!

Janet Jackson's halftime concert at Super Bowl XXXVIII was full of super sizzle to say the least. Her performance was extremely provocative beyond the fact that the Super Bowl event is usual a family affair. Well, Janet put a stop to all of that. During the R&B diva's show, pop heartthrob Justin Timberlake joined her in a sinful duet of his song "Rock Your Body." At the end of the performance, Justin rips off Janet's right breastplate from her outfit and . . . surprise! . . . Janet reveals a breast with a spikey piece of metal covering her nipple.

WTF??!?!

Was Janet trying to divert attention away from her brother Michael and his legal woes with this nudie bomb, or is Miss "Nasty" truly an R&B freak of the week?

All and all, I was flabbergasted. In fact, I was in shock and awe.
Ah, hell . . . I loved it.

You know, President George W. Bush was probably watching the show and said to himself, "Damn those Jacksons! I didn't know Janet was hiding a weapon of mass titillation."

But I wasn't the only one in shock: Super Bowl officials are not happy with MTV (who produced the event) or with Janet. They released this statement:

"We were extremely disappointed by elements of the MTV-produced Halftime show. They were totally inconsistent with assurances our office was given about the show. It's unlikely that MTV will produce another Super Bowl halftime."

MTV issued a contrite statement, saying the incident was "unrehearsed, unplanned [and] completely unintentional."

Yeah . . . right.

Meanwhile, due to internet piracy and worldwide demand, Janet Jackson has decided to release "Just A Little While," as the first single from her highly-anticipated CD Damita Jo. (For those of you who don't know, "Damita Jo" is actually Janet's middle name.) The single was produced by Dallas Austin (TLC, Usher) and will be available to radio on Monday, at 7 a.m. ET on Feb. 2. The new CD will also feature production from beat-makers Rich Harrison (who blessed Beyoncé with "Crazy In Love"), Kanye West (You go homie!) and of course, J.J.'s longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Damita Jo hits stores on March 30.

Ahh, so that's why she did it. The publicity wheels for her new CD are in motion . . .

Holla!