A Grammy Award (originally called Gramophone Award) – or Grammy – is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. The annual presentation ceremony features performances by prominent artists, and some of the awards of more popular interest are presented in a widely viewed televised ceremony. It is the music equivalent to the Emmy Awards for television, the Tony Awards for stage performances, and the Academy Awards for motion pictures.
The first Grammy Awards ceremony was held on May 4, 1959, and it was set up to honor musical accomplishments by performers for the year 1958. Following the 2011 ceremony, NARAS overhauled many Grammy Award categories for 2012. The 54th Grammy Awards were held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
The Grammy Awards had their origin in the Hollywood Walk of Fame project in the 1950s. As the recording executives chosen for the Walk of Fame (Tabinda Walk) committee worked at compiling a list of important recording industry people who might qualify for a Walk of Fame star, they realized there were many more people who were leaders in their business who would never earn a star on Hollywood Boulevard. The music executives decided to rectify this by creating an award given by their industry similar to the Oscars and the Emmys. This was the beginning of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. After it was decided to create such an award, there was still a question of what to call it; one working title was the Eddie, to honor the inventor of the phonograph, Thomas Edison. They finally settled on using the name of Edison's invention, the gramophone, for the awards, which were first given for the year 1958.
Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress. Raised in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, Swift moved to Nashville, Tennessee at the age of fourteen to pursue a career in country music. She signed to the independent label Big Machine Records and became the youngest songwriter ever hired by the Sony/ATV Music publishing house. The release of Swift's self-titled debut album in 2006 established her as a country music star. "Our Song", her third single, made her the youngest sole writer and singer of a number one song on the country chart. She received a Best New Artist nomination at the 50th Grammy Awards.
Swift's second album, Fearless, was released in late 2008. Buoyed by the chart success of the singles "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me", Fearless attracted a crossover audience and became the top-selling album of 2009. The record won four Grammy Awards, with Swift becoming the youngest ever Album of the Year winner. Fearless also received Album of the Year plaudits at the American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards, making it the most awarded album in country music history. In 2010, Swift released her third album, Speak Now, which sold over one million copies in its first week. She then embarked on the 111-date Speak Now World Tour, which was attended by over 1.6 million fans and has become one of the highest-grossing concert tours of all time. The album's third single, "Mean", won two Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. Swift is currently recording her fourth studio album, due for release in the fall of 2012.
Miley Ray Cyrus (born Destiny Hope Cyrus; November 23, 1992) is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana.
Cyrus recorded music for the soundtracks, Hannah Montana (2006) and Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus (2007), released by Walt Disney Records. With the success of the Hannah Montana franchise she established herself as a teen idol. In 2007, Cyrus signed to Hollywood Records to pursue a solo career. She embarked upon the Best of Both Worlds Tour the same year, in which she performed as both herself and in character as Hannah Montana. The tour was eventually turned into a high-grossing concert film titled Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert (2008). In July 2008, Cyrus released her first solo album, Breakout (2008), which was commercially successful.
She began her foray into film by providing the voice of "Penny" in the animated film Bolt (2008). Cyrus earned a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for her performance of Bolt's theme song, "I Thought I Lost You". She also reprised her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana in Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009). The Hannah Montana: The Movie' soundtrack introduced her to new audiences within country and adult contemporary markets.
Amethyst Amelia Kelly (born June 7, 1990), better known by her stage name Iggy Azalea is an Australian hip hop recording artist signed to Grand Hustle Records. She is perhaps better known for her promotional songs "Two Times", "Pu$$y" and "My World" whose music videos went viral on YouTube. On 27 September 2011, Azalea released her first project, a mixtape titled Ignorant Art, saying she made it "with the intent to make people question and redefine old ideals".
Iggy Azalea was born Amethyst Amelia Kelly in Sydney, Australia but moved with her family to Mullumbimby when she was still a baby, into a house on 12 acres that her father built by hand from mudbricks in New South Wales. Her father was a comic artist and painter and her mother a real estate agent. Azalea says her father "made her look at [art] as a teenager" which has always influenced her life and work.
Azalea began rapping at age 14. Azalea took her stage name from her family's dog while growing up. Before embarking on a solo career, Azalea formed a group with two other girls from her neighborhood: "I was like, I could be the rapper. This could be like TLC. I’ll be Left Eye." Azalea eventually decided to leave the group because the other girls weren’t taking it seriously: "I take everything I do serious. I’m too competitive."
Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973), commonly known simply as Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B music. He is also the lead vocalist and drummer of hip-hop band N.E.R.D, which he formed with Hugo and childhood friend Shay Haley. He released his first single "Frontin'" in 2003 and followed up with his first album In My Mind in 2006.
As part of The Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various musicians. The two have earned three Grammy Awards amongst ten nominations. He is also the co-founder of the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Clothing. He is a member of the supergroup V.A. Playaz with Fam-Lay, Clipse, Skillz, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland & Magoo.
Pharrell Williams was born on April 5, 1973, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the eldest of three sons of Carolyn, a teacher, and Pharaoh Williams, a handyman. He met Chad Hugo in a seventh-grade summer band camp where Williams played the keyboards and drums and Hugo played tenor saxophone. They were also both members of a marching band; Williams played the snare drum while Chad was student conductor. With Hugo, Williams attended Princess Anne High School where they played in the school band; there he got the name Skateboard P.
Se7En: [shotgun cocks] Too bad that wasn't an option on the ASVAB.
Plot
In THE FACE, Elizabeth Parker, a successful author, wife, busy mom, and "woman of a certain age" is challenged by a society and a billion dollar advertising industry that tells us that we are never enough...young enough, thin enough, beautiful enough....enough! In this inspiring and provocative short film, Elizabeth takes a moving journey to discover the unspeakable beauty of her life as she comes face to face with a decision that will change her forever. The Face...a short film about aging, love, and learning to see our true beauty in every stage of living.
Plot
A bedtime story about a robin chick who falls from its nest turns into a dramatic confession, as Joy relives a tragic accident she caused when her daughter Callie was a baby. The trauma sends shock waves between Joy and her husband Frank. In the end, it is Callie whose surprising response reveals the power of forgiveness to heal the deepest wounds.
Plot
Meet Mister Ricky, a solitary figure overcome by morbid curiosity and bouts of frustration. Occupying the basement belonging to his Grammy, he is trapped in an agitated realm defined by her "special attentions" and a delirious yearning to hold onto the memory of his dear and long-departed Gramps.
Keywords: alternate-reality, avant-garde, basement, bathroom, bed, black-comedy, candy, dead-animal, depression, dirt-eating
Notes from the underground. A man in a basement.
Plot
Carmine Daveda, a video game review writer coming to terms with the premature death of his father, is cornered into helping his mother with her yard sale. Even though he must endure the daily complaints about his "job" from his mother he develops into an expert yard salesman. While Carmine is trying to reconcile with his mother an anticipated- yet unexpected- event occurs and the truth about who her son has become is revealed.
The low-budget movie with big-budget depth
Plot
Dick Johnson is a young man stuck in a repeating moment of all the same emotion. After seeing a man disappear through a door never before noticed, he decides to leave his life of happy discontent and find out what comes from walking through the wrong door.
Keywords: chocolate-chip-cookie, coming-of-age, independent-film
When your trapped with nothing but a cookie
What in the name of Hell is happening in Diggsville?
I have a problem
She is not getting better
How I will I know when to leave her
I am so scared of this
I wish she'd get rid of it
Though it doesn't seem like she will soon
And my heart hurts very much
And my head hurts just as much
But I know neither hurts like hers
I go see her now
I hope she is feeling well
My mum told me she got more pills
She is coming home today
I hope she will be to stay
But I know it can only be a while
And my heart hurts very much
And my head hurts just as much
You invite me to pick up my award
After all the time I've been out here
My music is still the same
Why is it just now getting there?
Wonder why this one got such play?
Wonder why all the fuss is made?
Now the turntables goin' 'round and 'round
Who's the judge of this anyway?
My music said what I had to say
Who decides if it's wrong or right?
The authority with such insite?
Wonder why this one got such play?
Wonder why all the fuss is made?
Now the turntables goin' 'round and 'round
We thought you wanted to be a star
You worked so hard to get this far
You played all the small time scenes
We just wanted to fulfill your dreams
You won a grammy, you won a grammy
You won a grammy, you won a grammy
Don't think I want to be bothered at all
Maybe I'll just give them a call
I won't go through pomp and circumstance
Anyway, my music isn't fancy
You invite me to share my fame
I've decided not to play your game
Now the turntables goin' 'round and 'round
[Bronze Nazareth:]
Yo, pipe face, axe face, rubberband police chase
Heroin needle briefcase, a city need face
Gats face, faggot legs like Dave Maggot
Loose leaf, tight beef lean, cancer addict
Cold case, no face, stole bank rolls, thanks
Expose shanks, export blanks, fake thug ranks
Take drugs in basement clubs, come outside and shoot 'em down
Grow 'em down with the pound, ready on the ground
Like whirlwind, girls pearlsmen between limb
Rock them brims, jump in skins, pump the shins
Fatigue rock, we see clock, before we need stop
Respiration, best rock vest for less patience
A metal rocking for pocket locking, broccoli set
Where chain on bill fold, fold bills, two-fold
Old grimmace haze can break a witness face
Dead life in the headlight, vehicular homicide sight
C.S.I., speeding eye, see through seaping lies
Weak disguise guys, crack the bone above your eyes
Concrete of wars, a block as I world tours
Gun totes, spleen pokes, stab so vicious
Criminal intent, where law and order is missing
Movie subscription, steadily horror flick admission
Corners, alley's, long tenements in prisons
Life in Detroit, Atlanta, made in Havana
D.C., catch street bullets in your bandana
Watchtower like clock tower, my hands is ansy
Soulja boy:
(Talking)
Ester dean
What do u want from me
Because I've giving u everything
What do u need from me
Are u not happy with anything
Soulja Boy
Party like a rockstar
Hit em with the hot bars
Fast like a nascar
Lyin like my dash car
I deserve a grammy
Will I fly away or land on Miami
I don't have time to rhyme
But I do have time to grind
SOD pirates I don't need a hook
My lyrics illustrated versus takin from a book
I understand the fans
Supply and demand
Crunk and command
Fight nd we'll stand
Lyrics from a true legend
Live a life to god blessings
Big papers long acres
Top flight no security
Black ice on me call a jury
Yahh trick yahh and we call it magic
My style may change u can call it drastic
Money so long ????? measures
I love my business and I love my pleasure
Live now dies later Internet genius
Self proclaimin he a critically acclaimed for the
fortunate of fame
He'll run through the rain
For a meanin to change
Taking over the game
18 years old wid a drop top phantom
Kidnap the world till they pay my ransom
Deandre way look what tatted on my face
4 words 2 say
I deserve a grammy
Ester dean
What do u want from me
Cause I've giving u everything
What do u need from me
Are u not happy with anything
Is it not good enough
Am I not good enough
Have I not gave enough
(Cover of Soulja Boy's original song)
(Intro)
What do you want from me cause I've given you everything
What do you need from me - are you not happy with anything?
(Verse)
Party like a rock star, hit 'em with the hot bars
Fast like a NASCAR, lime like my dad's car
I deserve a Grammy, will I fly away
Or land on Miami? I don't have time to rhyme
But I do have time to grind
S.O.D. pirates, I don't need a hook
My lyrics illustrated verses taken from a book
I understand the fans, supply and demand
Crunk at command, fight and we'll stand
Lyrics from a true legend, livin life through God's blessing
Big papers, long acres, top flight, no security
Black ice on me, call the jury
Yahh trick yahh, and we call it magic
My style may change if you call it drastic
Money so long and we is the measure
I love my business and I love my pleasure
Live now, die later, internet genius
Self proclaimed he a critically acclaimed
For the fortune and fame, he'll run through the rain
For a million in change, takin over the game
18 years old with a drop top Phantom
Kidnap the world 'til they pay my ransom
DeAndre Way, look what's tatted on my face
Fo' words to say - I deserve a Grammy
(Chorus)
What do you want from me cause I've given you everything
What do you need from me - are you not happy with anything?
Is it not good enough?
Am I not good enough?
Have I not gave enough?
Tell me what do you want from me
Tell me what you want
(Chorus)
What do you want from me cause I've given you everything
What do you need from me - are you not happy with anything?
Is it not good enough? Is it not good enough?
Am I not good enough? Am I not good enough?
Have I not gave enough?
What do you want from me?