Where is one to find answers for all the questions that stare at you? Why do parents, who cannot afford to feed or clothe their children, have them? Why hasn't the state enacted any laws to protect the rights of children in this country? The alleged mistreatment and mu-rder of a 12 year old girl has been a headline story this week and has touched everyone who is a parent or wants to be one. It has reminded me of the squalor and misery of the chil-dren in the Oscar award winning film Slum Dog Millionaire. The compensation of Ru-pees five hundred thousand to Shazia's parents is probably going to pacify them in their abject poverty. There are countless underage children who work as domestic help in homes and work long hours, for little compensation. There is no one to check the abuse they have to endure. It is a ve-ry common sight to see these little helpers sitting quietly on the side in expensive restaurants as their wards, not much younger than them, are pampered and fed in style by their parents. It has become a practice in this society to be as mean as possible to those who have nobody to side with them and are defenseless.
Where does the fear of God, so talked about in this country all the time, disappear when attacking the vulnerable? The exact cause of Shazia's death/murder has not yet been established or made public, but her frail little body had all sorts of marks on it, depicting torturous punishments. Shazia belonged to a minority religious group in Pakistan which makes it doubly shameful. The poor child could never have imagined, in her wildest dre-ams, that she would become a household name, in her death. That Parliament would observe a minute's silence for her. That political leaders would come from far and wide to offer condolences.
Perhaps, in death Shazia Masih can be a tipping point, just as Rosa Park's was in the US when she refused to give up her seat in a bus to a white person. Even as she sat firmly in her seat, Rosa Parks courage stood up for the ideals of freedom and justice for all. After this incident, Alabama's black community started a major bus boycott which was thought to be a laughable mat-ter initially but became a serious issue for the Mont-gomery Bus Service. It ended only when the US Supreme Court declared bus segregation unconstitutional.
Source:nation.com.pk/
Hollywood
Showing posts with label Rihanna Grammys Alone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rihanna Grammys Alone. Show all posts
Associated Press writers make their 2010 Grammy predictions
Sunday's Grammy Awards seem to be shaping up as the battle of the blond divas.
In one corner: Beyoncé, the fierce veteran. She's got 10 nominations.
In the other corner: Taylor Swift, the relative newbie whose outstanding sales have made her the queen of pop. She has eight noms for her CD "Fearless."
Yet these two power-hitters may knock each other out, allowing surprise winners. Here's how we've scripted some of the night:
Record of the Year Nominees: "Halo," Beyoncé; "I Gotta Feeling," the Black Eyed Peas; "Use Somebody," Kings of Leon; "Poker Face," Lady Gaga; "You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift.
MOODY: "Halo" was a great anthem, but when you think of Beyoncé songs that defined 2009, you think "Single Ladies." "I Gotta Feeling" is a better bet, but it's also probably one of the weakest Peas songs. Swift's "You Belong With Me" has more momentum, but she'll split the vote with Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, so the Kings of Leon benefit.
FEKADU: If Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" had been nominated, it would win. But it's in the song of the year category -- a songwriter's award, when it really deserves recognition for its production. That's the only song I could see competing with "Use Somebody."
Album of the Year Nominees: "I Am . . . Sasha Fierce," Beyoncé; "The E.N.D.," the Black Eyed Peas; "The Fame," Lady Gaga; "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King," Dave Matthews Band; "Fearless," Taylor Swift.
FEKADU: I'm 23, I speak for the younger generation -- and the only album here that's not on my iPod is the Dave Matthews Band. So I'm gonna guess the Grammy oldheads will go with them.
MOODY: So disrespectful, young man! And what's an iPod anyway? Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Swift had the year's most successful records and they truly provided the soundtrack to 2009. But, Grammy voters tend to go for the veterans and the sentimental favorite -- and that is the DMB.
Song of the Year (songwriters): "Poker Face," Lady Gaga and RedOne; "Pretty Wings," Hod David and Musze; "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart; "Use Somebody," Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill; "You Belong With Me," Liz Rose and Taylor Swift.
MOODY: Until Beyoncé stops writing with a team, she's not likely to win a song of the year nod. "Poker Face" is too edgy for voters, and "Pretty Wings" too urban. Swift's song is likely to be seen as too lighthearted. "Use Somebody" is both gritty and romantic, which will put it over the top.
FEKADU: How could the Recording Academy deny three kings (and their cousin)? "Use Somebody" will win.
Source:washingtonpost.com/
In one corner: Beyoncé, the fierce veteran. She's got 10 nominations.
In the other corner: Taylor Swift, the relative newbie whose outstanding sales have made her the queen of pop. She has eight noms for her CD "Fearless."
Yet these two power-hitters may knock each other out, allowing surprise winners. Here's how we've scripted some of the night:
Record of the Year Nominees: "Halo," Beyoncé; "I Gotta Feeling," the Black Eyed Peas; "Use Somebody," Kings of Leon; "Poker Face," Lady Gaga; "You Belong With Me," Taylor Swift.
MOODY: "Halo" was a great anthem, but when you think of Beyoncé songs that defined 2009, you think "Single Ladies." "I Gotta Feeling" is a better bet, but it's also probably one of the weakest Peas songs. Swift's "You Belong With Me" has more momentum, but she'll split the vote with Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, so the Kings of Leon benefit.
FEKADU: If Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" had been nominated, it would win. But it's in the song of the year category -- a songwriter's award, when it really deserves recognition for its production. That's the only song I could see competing with "Use Somebody."
Album of the Year Nominees: "I Am . . . Sasha Fierce," Beyoncé; "The E.N.D.," the Black Eyed Peas; "The Fame," Lady Gaga; "Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King," Dave Matthews Band; "Fearless," Taylor Swift.
FEKADU: I'm 23, I speak for the younger generation -- and the only album here that's not on my iPod is the Dave Matthews Band. So I'm gonna guess the Grammy oldheads will go with them.
MOODY: So disrespectful, young man! And what's an iPod anyway? Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Swift had the year's most successful records and they truly provided the soundtrack to 2009. But, Grammy voters tend to go for the veterans and the sentimental favorite -- and that is the DMB.
Song of the Year (songwriters): "Poker Face," Lady Gaga and RedOne; "Pretty Wings," Hod David and Musze; "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart; "Use Somebody," Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill; "You Belong With Me," Liz Rose and Taylor Swift.
MOODY: Until Beyoncé stops writing with a team, she's not likely to win a song of the year nod. "Poker Face" is too edgy for voters, and "Pretty Wings" too urban. Swift's song is likely to be seen as too lighthearted. "Use Somebody" is both gritty and romantic, which will put it over the top.
FEKADU: How could the Recording Academy deny three kings (and their cousin)? "Use Somebody" will win.
Source:washingtonpost.com/
Grammys producer on Sunday's Michael Jackson tribute: 'He is looking down and saying...they are doing right'
During Sunday’s telecast of the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, the show will feature the never-before-seen 3-D mini-movie for Earth Song that was created by Michael Jackson for his This Is It tour. Grammys executive producer Ken Ehrlich talked to EW.com about the decision to air the film, and how he tried to persuade Jackson to appear on the awards show last year.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Tell us about your decision to pay tribute to Michael Jackson.
KEN EHRLICH: Last year at this time, it was the 25th anniversary of Thriller and I was talking about having Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown – before the troubles – and Ne-Yo do a whole thing that ended with Michael. It would have started with two or three of them pretending to be Michael, and then Michael would be revealed. I pitched it to him, and I thought I had him. And he just said, “I’m not ready.. .I’ll be with you next year.” It wasn’t to be.
I came to Michael’s last rehearsal for the live show to meet about another project and coincidentally, he was watching the 3-D film for Earth Song. I could see what it meant to him. He told me it was as important or more important than anything else in the concert show because there was the message about preserving the earth. After we did his memorial service and started thinking about what to do for the Grammys, I did think about what (tributes) were done on other shows. Whenever I worked with Michael he’d say, “Kenny, let’s do something that no one has ever done before.” This is something that no one’s ever done before – certainly not on an awards show. I’m an old guy, kind of emotional. There is a part of me that thinks he is looking down at this and saying they are doing right by me.
Will there be song and dance with the footage?
The way it was going to go on the tour was that it would be shown, then a bulldozer would come out and Michael would perform the song with dancers. What I decided to do was have five people who Michael would have liked – Smokey Robinson, who was his Godfather, Usher, who was his disciple, along with Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson perform. I didn’t want to do a Natalie and Nat King Cole kind of thing, but you’ll hear Michael singing part of a verse, and then one of these artists singing another part of the verse. I think it has the potential to be one of those things that people will remember for a long time. There are four or five of these moments in the show that I don’t think I’m going to get through emotionally.
What are some others?
Last night about midnight I got a track that was done long distance by Andrea Bocelli in Italy and Mary J Blige. They put together “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Ron Fair, the head of Geffen Records, came to me and wanted to do something on the show for Haiti. I remembered that 40 years ago, “Bridge” won record and song of the year. I called Paul Simon and asked him if he would bless it. That’s how it started. People can download the song after the show and all the money will go to the Red Cross. Wyclef Jean is coming to introduce it.
With so many other music award shows out there, is it getting tougher to create water cooler moments on the Grammys?
Nope. We’re the at end of the road. The artists have already done the stuff they are going to do on the other shows so by the time they get to us, they are really looking for something. We are still the Grammys. They know we reach higher, we set the bar higher, and when they come to us, they want to do better. We’re not interested in doing the latest hit. We’re more interested in finding something that gives them a little more creativity.
Give us a little intel on the tribute to Bon Jovi.
The fans are voting for one of three songs on CBS.com (that Bon Jovi will perform; they are “Livin on a Prayer,” “It’s My Life,” and “Always”). He won’t know which song that won until 30 seconds before he finishes the second song and then boom, he’s on it. He’ll do “We Weren’t Born to Follow,” and then Jennifer Nettles will come on and join him, and then he’ll go into one of three songs.
How do you contain Lady Gaga on what’s supposed to be family-oriented telecast?
You work with her. We started in December. I have a tremendous amount of admiration for her. She’s really inventive. That’s the fun of it. There are people who come back year after year — the U2s and the Bruces — but the first-timers are not only a challenge but as much fun as anyone else.
Any procedural changes to the ceremony this year?
This year we’re gonna do the comedy album award. We haven’t done that in a long time. [This year's nominees are Back From The Dead, Spinal Tap; A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All, Stephen Colbert; Internet Leaks, "Weird Al" Yankovic; My Weakness Is Strong, Patton Oswalt; Suckin’ It For The Holidays, Kathy Griffin; and Tall, Dark & Chicano, George Lopez.]
Source:hollywoodinsider.ew.com/
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Tell us about your decision to pay tribute to Michael Jackson.
KEN EHRLICH: Last year at this time, it was the 25th anniversary of Thriller and I was talking about having Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown – before the troubles – and Ne-Yo do a whole thing that ended with Michael. It would have started with two or three of them pretending to be Michael, and then Michael would be revealed. I pitched it to him, and I thought I had him. And he just said, “I’m not ready.. .I’ll be with you next year.” It wasn’t to be.
I came to Michael’s last rehearsal for the live show to meet about another project and coincidentally, he was watching the 3-D film for Earth Song. I could see what it meant to him. He told me it was as important or more important than anything else in the concert show because there was the message about preserving the earth. After we did his memorial service and started thinking about what to do for the Grammys, I did think about what (tributes) were done on other shows. Whenever I worked with Michael he’d say, “Kenny, let’s do something that no one has ever done before.” This is something that no one’s ever done before – certainly not on an awards show. I’m an old guy, kind of emotional. There is a part of me that thinks he is looking down at this and saying they are doing right by me.
Will there be song and dance with the footage?
The way it was going to go on the tour was that it would be shown, then a bulldozer would come out and Michael would perform the song with dancers. What I decided to do was have five people who Michael would have liked – Smokey Robinson, who was his Godfather, Usher, who was his disciple, along with Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, and Jennifer Hudson perform. I didn’t want to do a Natalie and Nat King Cole kind of thing, but you’ll hear Michael singing part of a verse, and then one of these artists singing another part of the verse. I think it has the potential to be one of those things that people will remember for a long time. There are four or five of these moments in the show that I don’t think I’m going to get through emotionally.
What are some others?
Last night about midnight I got a track that was done long distance by Andrea Bocelli in Italy and Mary J Blige. They put together “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Ron Fair, the head of Geffen Records, came to me and wanted to do something on the show for Haiti. I remembered that 40 years ago, “Bridge” won record and song of the year. I called Paul Simon and asked him if he would bless it. That’s how it started. People can download the song after the show and all the money will go to the Red Cross. Wyclef Jean is coming to introduce it.
With so many other music award shows out there, is it getting tougher to create water cooler moments on the Grammys?
Nope. We’re the at end of the road. The artists have already done the stuff they are going to do on the other shows so by the time they get to us, they are really looking for something. We are still the Grammys. They know we reach higher, we set the bar higher, and when they come to us, they want to do better. We’re not interested in doing the latest hit. We’re more interested in finding something that gives them a little more creativity.
Give us a little intel on the tribute to Bon Jovi.
The fans are voting for one of three songs on CBS.com (that Bon Jovi will perform; they are “Livin on a Prayer,” “It’s My Life,” and “Always”). He won’t know which song that won until 30 seconds before he finishes the second song and then boom, he’s on it. He’ll do “We Weren’t Born to Follow,” and then Jennifer Nettles will come on and join him, and then he’ll go into one of three songs.
How do you contain Lady Gaga on what’s supposed to be family-oriented telecast?
You work with her. We started in December. I have a tremendous amount of admiration for her. She’s really inventive. That’s the fun of it. There are people who come back year after year — the U2s and the Bruces — but the first-timers are not only a challenge but as much fun as anyone else.
Any procedural changes to the ceremony this year?
This year we’re gonna do the comedy album award. We haven’t done that in a long time. [This year's nominees are Back From The Dead, Spinal Tap; A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All, Stephen Colbert; Internet Leaks, "Weird Al" Yankovic; My Weakness Is Strong, Patton Oswalt; Suckin’ It For The Holidays, Kathy Griffin; and Tall, Dark & Chicano, George Lopez.]
Source:hollywoodinsider.ew.com/
I don't see myself winning Grammy: Ustad Zakir Hussain
Mumbai, Jan 29 (PTI) Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain has said that Grammy nominations for three Indians including himself is a proof that the world is recognising Indian art but the veteran is not too sure of himself grabbing a trophy.
"Three Indian representations for Grammy nominations is incredible and something that has never happened before," Zakir told PTI.
But, he feels Ustad Amjad Ali Khan who has been nominated in the best traditional world music category for "Ancient Sounds" made in collaboration with Iraqi Oud Soloist Rahim Alhaj has a good chance of winning.
"Even A R Rahman has a decent chance. But, I don't see myself winning," he said.
Ustad Zakir Hussain has been nominated for the 52nd Grammy award in the Best Classical Crossover album category for the album 'The Melody of Rhythm'.
Source:ptinews.com/
"Three Indian representations for Grammy nominations is incredible and something that has never happened before," Zakir told PTI.
But, he feels Ustad Amjad Ali Khan who has been nominated in the best traditional world music category for "Ancient Sounds" made in collaboration with Iraqi Oud Soloist Rahim Alhaj has a good chance of winning.
"Even A R Rahman has a decent chance. But, I don't see myself winning," he said.
Ustad Zakir Hussain has been nominated for the 52nd Grammy award in the Best Classical Crossover album category for the album 'The Melody of Rhythm'.
Source:ptinews.com/
Rihanna Says She's 'Going To Grammys Alone'
"I'm going to the Grammys alone, as always!" she said Thursday on 104.3 MY FM's "Valentine in the Morning" show, according to UsMagazine.com. "Even when I was in a relationship, I always have gone alone."
However, "I'm still single, if that's what you really want to ask!" she added.
She was then asked about photographs that circulated online earlier this month of her and Kemp getting close in Mexico, and she only said, "It was a blast!"
Of course, she'll have plenty of company at the show: She's nominated for a Grammy, with Jay-Z and Kanye West, for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Run This Town."
"This was actually the first piece of music we did since the last Grammys," she said. "It's exciting that it's nominated." She was presumably referring to that particular tandem team, since she released her Rated R album late last year and also recorded "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)" with Jay and U2 members Bono and The Edge, which they performed on the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon and is also available on the album of the same name.
"We cannot wait," she added. We hope we bring home the bacon, but if not, it's great that it was nominated."
Rihanna's scheduled appearance at last year's Grammys was abruptly canceled after then-boyfriend Chris Brown assaulted her the night before the show. Brown later pleaded guilty to felony assault and was sentenced to five years of probation
Source:mtv.com/
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