Tag Archives: Mark Ronson

Music, TV Shows

Popular Artists Wins on Grammy Awards

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I have been watching Grammy for several years and it seems the winners tonight don’t seem like who usually wins in Grammy Awards. Popularity is not an assurance to win the Grammys as winners are determined through the decision of the panel of judges. Even the most popular singer in a year don’t even win a minor category. During the 1990’s, the Spice Girls never achieved nominations. While Backstreet Boys and NSYNC who became extremely popular during their heydays never won an award. Britney Spears did not even win an award on her earlier success. She got to win a minor award after several years in the industry.

Justin Bieber never won an award until this year after winning for the song “Where are You Now” as a featured artist.  One Direction was never even nominated despite the critical acclaim in their recent records. Ariana Grande got nominations last year but didn’t receive an award.
With the major categories, Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Record of the Year, it seems those were not into pop or tennybopper music. But this year, those I predicted to win lost. While some of those that are my choices won. I had written my prediction and choices recently. The reason why I came out with those predictions because Grammys used to choose those who are underrated artists. Popular artists often defeated by less popular artists but it was not the case this year. In fact, with those four major categories, the winners were those popular.
Let’s start with Best New Artist, my choice is Meghan  Trainor. She is even the most mainstreamly successful among those nominated.I predicted James Bay to win, but the winner ended up as Meghan Trainor.
With Song of the Year, I expected and predicted Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”, however, it went to my choice, Ed Sheeran. Knowing Lamar’s number of nominations, I expected him to win.
The Album of the Year winner is Taylor Swift with “1989”. I expected Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller” as it is generally acclaimed while Taylor shifted to pop music. Anyway, it is Taylor’s second time to win the category.
The Record of the Year winner this year was “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. I expected D’Angelo to win with “Really Love” but ended up to the upbeat song. My choice though was “Thinking Out Loud”. Good for “Uptown Funk” since it is the number one song of 2015.
Despite not winning the major categories, Kendrick Lamar won multiple awards. Congratulations to all the winners.

Music

My Prediction and Choice Winners for Grammy Awards 2016 (Album of the Year and Record of the Year)

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Another two major categories of Grammy Awards is Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Here’s my choice and prediction to win in these two categories:

Album of the Year
“Sound & Color” by Alabama Shakes
The album is the first US number album by the band. It peaked inside the top 10 in other countries as well.
“To Pimp a Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar
It went to number one in a number of countries including the US. Currently, it already went platinum.
“Traveller” by Chris Stapleton
Initially debuted at the top 15, the album went to number one after Chris’ performance in CMA. The album was acclaimed by fans and critics.
“1989” by Taylor Swift
The album has been a blockbuster worldwide after scoring hit songs from it and the turning point of Swift becoming a pop star.
“Beauty Behind the Madness” by The Weeknd
The Weeknd already had high chart positions before but this album became his breakthrough. It went to number one and gone multiplatinum.
Choice: “1989”, this is an amazing pop album from a former country singer.
Prediction: “Traveller”, the album has been a highly recommended album.

Record of the Year
“Really Love” by D’Angelo and the Vanguard
The song was highly acclaimed despite not charting in major charts elsewhere.
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars
This is the biggest hit worldwide last year after breaking records in sales.
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
One of the two songs also nominated for Song of the Year. This song was a hit globally.
“Blank Space” by Taylor Swift
One of the several nominations of Taylor Swift. Aside from Ed Sheeran, this song was also a nominee for Song of the Year.
“Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd
One of the number one singles of 2015, it is one of the contenders to be the winner.
Choice: “Thinking Out Loud”, he was already nominated multiple times last year without wins, and I want him to win this year.
Prediction: “Really Love”, the song was highly acclaimed by the critics, and Grammy loves underperforming songs.

Catch the Grammy Awards tomorrow to know the winners.

Credits to Wikipedia / Billboard / Grammy

Music

Yearend Special: Top Songs by Male Artists 2015

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Here are the top 10 singles from male artists this 2015:

Ed Sheeran- Thinking Out Loud
Many of you might have fallen in love to this lovely ballad by Ed Sheeran. You can hear the song anywhere, a testament of the song’s success. In the US, it stayed at top 2 for a number of weeks and a number 1 position in many singles charts elsewhere.

Justin Bieber- What Do You Mean?
This might the biggest comeback single by a male artist. Justin pulled this EDM pop track which crashed the streaming and downloads charts. It also did well in the radio. With its success in different platform, it scored Justin his first worldwide number 1 hit.,

Drake- Hotline Bling
Drizzy is one of the top male stars this year that he scored a big hit with this telephone-related hit “Hotline Bling” which was a recent number 2 single in the US and hitting the top 10 in other countries.

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk
Mark and Bruno were great producers but the latter is the better singer. The tandem of the two was number 1 globally thus helped the sing to be the top song this year.

Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth- See You Again
As a tribute to the late Paul Walker, this song easily topped the charts worldwide. It was good to hear rap and pop can make an emotional and goosebump-worthy song.

Ed Sheeran – Photograph
Ed Sheeran generated another hit for “x” to this dramatic song. It climbed to the top 10 in US and despite peaking lower in his hometown UK, it sold a hefty amount.

Sam Smith ft. John Legend- Lay Me Down
Sam Smith asked John Legend to re-record this emotional ballad which eventually was a UK number 1 song.

Charlie Puth ft. Meghan Trainor- Marvin Gaye
After “See You Again”, Charlie has proven he can also do it as lead artist when this song hit #21 in Hot 100 according to Billboard and #1 in UK from OCC.

Justin Bieber- Sorry
This song is currently a hit in different places around the world, it may be at number 1 (included UK) or number 2 (included US).

The Weeknd- Can’t Feel My Face
One of the biggest songs this year, The Weeknd has finally proven himself. This song topped the US and a multi-platinum succcess there. It also hit the top 10 worldwide.

Some facts from Wikipedia

Music

Yearend Special: Top Male Artists of 2015

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There are lots of male artists who did very well this year. It seems its “boy power” as based on the charts, guys did much better. Female stars still did well but it seems guys did better this year. Here are the 10 biggest male singers/rappers this year:

The Weeknd
The Weeknd may have underrated prior this year but he had a blast on the charts this 2015. After a top 5 entry via “Earned It” (the sensual song from Fifty Shades of Grey), he scored 2 #1 singles this year, the funky “Can’t Feel My Face” and the explicit ballad “The Hills”. Aside from hit songs, he got a bonus for topping the albums chart worldwide.

Justin Bieber
It was a huge comeback for the Canadian pop star. With a feature for Diplo and Skrillex song, it was followed by an album which just dominated the sales but also 3 top 5 hit songs just recently, with “What Do You Mean?” which ruled the charts globally.

Drake
He’s the biggets rapper this year as he scored 2 number one albums and several hit songs including the current smash “Hotline Bling”, which is doing very well anywhere.

Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt is currently a big star in country music. He scored lots of hits in top 40 this year including a top 10 album. I love his song “Take Your Time”, which became huge in top 20.

Mark Ronson
Music producer Mark Ronson scored is biggest success in career this year through “Uptown Funk” which is the biggest single worldwide this year. Anyway, thanks to Bruno Mars’ contribution.

Charlie Puth
One of the biggest breakthrough artists this year, Charlie Puth made a mark as a co-writer and the pop vocals in the big hit “See You Again” with Wiz Khalifa. He’s also successful as lead singer of the pop hit “Marvin Gaye”.

Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas can easily be said as the most successful Jonas. He had success worldwide with the pop hit “Jealous” followed by the darker R&B tune “Chains”. He reached top 40 recently with EDM/pop hit “Levels”.

Sam Smith
He’s the biggest winner in Grammys this year and his “In the Lonely Hour” is still one of the biggest sellers this year. His ballads “I’m Not the Only One” and “Lay Me Down” were top ten hits.

Fetty Wap
One of the top newcomers this year, Fetty Wap easily made two ten singles this year. He also went to the top of rap albums this year.

Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is the biggest male singer this year. With the beautiful love song “Thinking Out Loud” and the melancholic “Photograph”, both were successful. While LP “x” sold millions this 2015.

Some facts from Wikipedia

Music

Yearend Special: Top Dance Hits of 2015

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Dance music is the most common genre today. That’s why there are lots of songs and collaborations between DJs/producers and singers. Here are some of the best dance hits of the year.

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk
This is considerably the biggest song of the year in any genre (unless Adele’s “Hello” takes over). It topped the charts worldwide for several weeks and had everyone moved with its funky and 1980s influenced sound.

Skrillex and Diplo ft. Justin Bieber- Where are You Now?
Skrillex and Diplo is a big help for the comeback of Justin Bieber as we saw the success of “Purpose”. This top ten hit song became a jumpstart for Justin’s comeback.

Zedd ft. Selena Gomez- I Want You to Know
This started their assumed romance. It was a top 20 hit in many countries and had helped Zedd’s album debut in the top 10.

Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding- Outside
Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding worked again together in this EDM hit after “I Need Your Love”. This track was huge internationally though not as successful as the first one.

Justin Bieber- What Do You Mean?
Justin Bieber incorporated new sound in his comeback, and the result? This song became a worldwide number 1 hit.

OMI- Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)
First released years ago, when Felix Jaehn remixed this song, it became a chart-topper worldwide. If I were asked, I prefer the original one though.

Madonna- Living for Love
She’s originally the Queen of Dance and she dominated the genre. This song may not have been a huge success, but it was successful in club play and dance charts.

Pitbull and Ne-Yo- Time of Our Lives
These two are working together again which produced this top 10 hit. Well, who knows they will work again the future?

Demi Lovato- Cool for the Summer
Demi Lovato officially made a pop dance record and this song became a top 15 hit in the US, though more successful in UK for its top ten peak.

Justin Bieber- Sorry
This new song from Justin Bieber is followung the success of “What Do You Mean?”. Guess what? It is becoming a big hit already.

Music

Songs Incorporated Retro Sound

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There are a lot of modern artists today who made songs with retro sounds. Honestly, I love listening to their songs as it was modern pop with a touch of retro, and will take you to the times when such sounds were often recorded. Here are some of those songs I heard recently which fits in such category. The songs included were released as official singles.

Meghan Trainor- All About the Bass
Just last 2014, this hit was known not just for “loving your own curves” lyrics but also with its old sound. Well, it is effective as it became one of the biggest selling songs last year and even extended its run this early 2015.

Charlie Puth- Marvin Gaye
Well, Charlie has been vocal that he loves 70s Motown and it is the influence of his music, and this salacious song? It just became a UK chart-topped and settled a good chart position in US and many countries.

Meghan Trainor- Lips are Movin’
The song has rap verses especially in stanzas while the sound is retro. That made this song prettier to me than “All About that Bass”. It was a top ten hit in national charts it entered.

Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars- Uptown Funk
This song has undergone a copyright trouble but it still managed lengthy weeks on top. It’s sound is a retro funk reminiscent of 1970s to 80s.

Meghan Trainor- Dear Future Husband
With the doo wop sound and a Motown-like tune, it feels kinda fresh to sound despitr its music. The song was an eventual top 20 hits in countries particularly in US and UK as well.

Carly Rae Jepsen- I Really Like You
This pop song is reminiscent of 1980s pop music. Apart from this song, Carly had great songs in her album with 1980s pop influenced. This has turned into a hit especially in UK where it settled for the top 3.