The 2016 Grammy Nomination Snubs

There's a lot to be thankful for this time of year. It's award season after all (my favorite time) and after a week of letting the Grammy nominations soak in, I've finally compiled my list of some of the artists, songs, and albums that got left behind in the dust of Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, a& Kendrick Lamar. Mind you, my perspective comes from a predominantly Pop and R&B background.

Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

Carly Rae Jepsen’s third studio album E•MO•TION was without a doubt one of the best pop albums of the year (right behind ADELE’s 25). It’s a shame that just because it didn’t sell as much as her last album or produce a hit as big as “Call Me Maybe” that it got overlooked majorily. E•MO•TION could have easily taken the place of Florence + The Machine’s Best Pop Vocal Album nomination (I mean after all, it seems to fit the rock category a lot more) and it’s second single “Run Away With Me” deserved a Record of the Year nomination over D’Angelo or Ed Sheerhan.

 Watch her video here since Blogspot won't let me post it directly!

Everyone else has said the same thing, but I think it’s safe to say after their performance at last year’s ceremony and the success of it on the radio, Rihanna’s “FourFiveSeconds” did not deserve to majorily get shut out of the race this year. It seemed like a shoe-in for Song of the Year and/or Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. It’s the only Rihanna single that I could fully get behind (sorry “Bitch Better Have My Money” and “American Oxygen”…and I’m definitely not counting the Home soundtrack). Here’s to hoping that her upcoming album Anti has better luck next year.

Madonna has certainly had her ups and downs with her creative music choices (still trying to forget that American Life ever happened or wished that MDNA would’ve been better). This year however the queen of pop music reinvented herself yet again with a very unique dance/pop sound courtesy of some insanely talented producers (Diplo & Kanye West anyone?). Rebel Heart is a solid effort from start to finish and it’s sad that it was overlooked in the Best Pop Vocal Album as well.

 Click here for the music video, yet again!

Fifth Harmony has a lot to boast, seeing as how they’re pretty much the only good thing to come out of the US version of Simon Cowell’s The X-Factor (well, at least the most successful thing). Their debut album was R&B/pop goodness with an infectious third single “Worth It” featuring Kid Ink. That single alone should have landed them at least one nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. It could easily have taken the spot of either “Bad Blood” (which deserved a Rap/Sung collaboration nomination over this category) or Maroon 5’s very safe “Sugar”.

 You know what to do if you want to watch the music video...

Demi Lovato’s current album Confident is sure to get some kind of recognition at next year’s ceremony. In my opinion though, her lead single “Cool for the Summer” deserved a Best Pop Solo Performance nomination. Seeing as how The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” was already given a Record of the Year nomination, it would’ve been nice to see the Grammy’s spread the wealth and give some recognition to Demi’s sexy hit.

Trust me, you wanna watch this video.

Seeing as how both of Nick Jonas’ popular singles “Chains” and “Jealous” were only eligible for last year’s ceremony, that doesn’t mean his self-titled album deserved to be shut out. In his efforts to prove to the world that he is grown up (we all saw the crotch-grabbing pictures, right?), his album last year was quite a few steps forward in the right direction, a FutureSex/LoveSounds for today’s listeners. Yet another forgotten gem in the Best Pop Vocal Album category.

(This isn't the real album cover. I just wanted to make sure this photo was still being viewed.)

Tamia seems to always have some kind of luck with the Grammy nominations, but unfortunately her latest album just didn’t receive the same luck. Her sexy first single “Sandwich and a Soda” (as weird as the title may be) should’ve nabbed a nomination in the Best R&B Performance category over Jermih & J. Cole.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have yet to release their highly anticipated second album, but their first single “Downtown” was one of the most ambitious songs in their repertoire thus far. With bragging rights towards having Eric Nally, Kool Moe Dee, & Grandmaster Caz all on the same track (as weird of a combination as that sounds) it still could’ve been given some love in the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration over Jidenna & Roman GianArthur’s “Classic Man”.

Diplo was lucky enough to score a Producer of the Year nomination for his works with Skrillex, Major Lazer, and himself. It’s just a shame that his song “Lean On” featuring DJ Snake & MØ didn’t receive any attention in the Best Dance Recording category.

I’m sure this one is a long shot seeing as how her one big success has only been a featured role in Clean Bandit’s Grammy-winning song “Rather Be” last year, but still, Jess Glynne’s debut album is a well-crafted piece of work. It’s euro-dance pop at it’s finest and Glynne’s smoky vocals sound beautiful over those infectious beats. It’s very wishful thinking that she should’ve received a Best Pop Vocal Album nomination at least.

My Memory Will Go On (TITANIC Review)

It’s been a little more than 13 years since I first saw Titanic as a 6-year-old boy. Back then, I did not know this would be the blockbuster of my generation that I was fortunate enough to live and see in the movie theater. I’ve heard stories of older folks saying that they remember when they saw Psycho, Jaws, or even Star Wars for the first time in theaters. There is something so monumental about these films. They all have something within that defined the times, brought together an entire world with just a few hours of entertainment on the big screen. For me and my generation, I feel as though Titanic is that uniting movie.

Last weekend on April 14^th, 2012 (which I might add was exactly 100 years since the actual sinking), my best friend Krystin and I set forth on the wonderful voyage to see the re-release of this memorable film in 3D. Sitting through the beginning of the movie, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of emotion come over me as the music faded in, the title appeared across the screen, and the film started its wonderful 3 hour journey. I immediately rushed back to 13 years ago when I was in the theater watching it with my family and our first Japanese exchange student we had over the Winter Break. As I mentioned before, I saw this movie three times in the theater during its first release.

I can remember being mesmerized by the glamour of the whole thing. The romanticism is really what got to me as a little boy. The idea of this big, grand ship being whisked away across the Atlantic in hopes of helping thousands create a new life for themselves and their families in America, the idea that among this sea of people, two of them came to find each other and fall madly in love against all odds in just a matter of days, and the idea that a so-called un-sinkable ship could hit an iceberg and actually in fact sink to the bottom of the ocean was just so overwhelming to me at that young age. But I was captivated! From the love story, to the nude scene my mom had to cover my eyes from, from the shots of the vast ocean, the sound of the beautiful James Horner score, and boy oh boy the image of the Titanic sinking down into the ocean made me so happy that I was witnessing this blockbuster in a movie theater! It was iconic what I was seeing, and even at the young of an age, I understood just how big this movie was.

Flash forward to last Saturday when I’m sitting in the theater, now at the ripe-old age of 21, and I still feel that sense of excitement and bewilderment from a movie I had watched countless times prior. It was as though I was seeing it for the first time.

The setting was spectacular, the casting was so memorable (Leo and Kate at the breaking point of their careers), the sinking was so heartbreaking, and the story was still so timeless. I was glad that I got to take a trip down memory lane and recapture that feeling of inspiration that I wanted to be in one of these movies. I wanted to be the romantic lead in a blockbuster disaster movie. I wanted to capture hearts and win recognition. I wanted to do it all. While early in my life I had older films like The Godfather, West Side Story, and The Goonies that first inspired me to want to perform and act, Titanic was the first movie I saw in the theater that really pushed me to the tip of my own iceberg (pun intended).

But of course, the nostalgia in the theater had to end eventually. As the credits appeared on the screen after 194 minutes, Krystin and I realized two things. For one, we found it ironic that we were at the 10:00pm showing on April 14^th, just a few hours before the ship actually sunk in the ocean. We realized that it was fate which made us view this film exactly 100 years after the actual sinking. 

The second realization was just how much we love singing along to Celine Dion and the timeless classic that is “My Heart Will Go On”. Again, flashbacks of me on my 7^th birthday (April 11, 1998 to be exact) came into my mind when I received my first CD ever: the Titanic soundtrack. I remember waiting for all my guests to leave the party at my house as soon as possible. If anyone had any doubts that I was gay even from at a young age, just picture an image of a now 7-year-old Mexican boy with his bowl cut hair, singing with Celine on the CD outside by the big rocks around my pool. That oughta clear some doubts people may have had!

When all has been said and sung, I would just like to say thank you to James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Celine Dion, and everyone else equally as integral to making this movie possible. It continues to inspire me and truly does make my heart feel the need to go on and on.

And last but not least, I continue to pray for the real lives that were taken so suddenly back in 1912 from this unfortunate sinking ship, and for the families that may never have gotten the chance to properly say good-bye. Rest in peace always…

Glee Project Wrap-Up

Did this really just happen? I swear I still feel on top of a cloud! For those who don’t know, I spent this weekend in Chicago for (of course) the Glee Project Season 2 auditions! And just like back in January for the first season, this was an experience I’m learning more from and loving every minute of it!

It started off nice and cold, flying into Burbank, IL Saturday morning. Later that night, I met up with two friends out for the auditions as well: Gabriel and Crystal (shout out to Crystal’s family friend Terry). We had deep-dish pizza at Giordano’s.

I slept for about 4 hours before waking up at 3am to get ready!

Then we all got to McCormick Place to wait in line for 7 hours in the freezing, windy Chicago cold.

We were then moved inside where it was a little more bearable, watching as cameras filmed, pictures were taken, and signs like this were put up…

Then we get to see glimpses of the amazing casting director, Robert Ulrich…

Then came audition time! First round: All three of us auditioned together. Crystal and I made it through and moved on to the next round!

Second round: We were split up, and my group went to sing in front of Robert Ulrich! But while we waited, Season 1 winner Samuel happened to be stopping by and asked me to sing for the camera! “Wow, you have a great tone!” (yes, actual quote from the winner!).

My nerves were out of my system now after getting through that! Then I went inside the room to sing for the one and only Mr. Ulrich! He was so nice and made me feel at ease. He asked me a couple of questions, then had me sing my audition song, “Ordinary People” by John Legend. Right after that, he asked me to sing one more song for him off the top of my head. I sang Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby”. His actual words: “That was beautiful!” I was let out of the room and waited to be escorted down the hall to hear my fate. The casting assistant told me, “it’s not a yes, but it’s not a no. We will be calling you once all of the auditions are done to let you know if you’ll be moving on to the callbacks in LA. Good luck, and thank you for coming down here today!”

Of course I updated my Facebook, called my family, and I felt on top of the world! We all went to get lunch, then parted ways as they all left for the airport. I stayed downtown for a while to do a little sightseeing! Imagine me, walking downtown, listening to my mix of such greats like Alicia Keys, ADELE, Anna Nalick, Lily Allen, Christina Aguilera, John Mayer, Sia, OneRepublic, and John Legend among so many others.

I sat in Starbucks with my phone charging, reading for classes, and sipping on my Tall Soy Salted Caramel Mocha.

I went to the men’s section of Forever 21 and bought myself a lovely leather jacket.

The weather was around 50 degrees, it was overcast, and just simply beautiful…

Then headed down underground to the famous Billy Goat’s Tavern. Cheeburger! Cheeburger!

Then I took a taxi back to the hotel, saying good night to the wonderful downtown experience.

I was rewarded with a wonderful driver named Muhammad whom I had the great pleasure of speaking with about his days in Pakistan, his life story and aspirations to become a pilot, and not to mention the soap opera romantic drama that was his American actress girlfriend in the 1980’s. What a great man, and what an amazing point of view to hear! Keeping him and his family in my prayers tonight.

Now here I am, back in my hotel, reminiscing on this amazing weekend. I can’t help but feel so incredibly blessed to every single one of you that have been praying for me, supporting me, and cheering me on all the way! I definitely will keep you all posted on what happens, but please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers until that phone call comes! And to make my experience even better, please continue to spread the word and pass along my audition video.

Here’s the full audition, but pass the link below right along and be sure to like it on their website! Any little bit helps. He’s seen me in person, and hopefully he remembers me when he goes through the video submissions.

Click here and officially "LIKE" my audition!

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good! Words can’t even begin to describe what this experience means to me. I spend so much time getting scared about change, worrying about what happens if this doesn’t happen for me. Yes, it would be amazing to pack up and leave for LA. From there, I can see myself staying there, regardless if I make it onto the show or not. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. I’m just thankful overall for this weekend, for the little moments, for the present right now!

Don’t stop believin’…

Showing some love for "Love?"

As everyone important in my life knows, I admire Jennifer Lopez above and beyond anyone else (with the exception, of God, family, and friends, she comes very close to that range). Most gay men have Madonna, Janet, Barbara, Liza, Lady Gaga, and so on. I do have a special place in my heart for all of them of course, but none comes to close to the place I hold for J.Lo herself. So it only makes sense just how excited I am that she has finally released her tracklisting for her long-delayed Love? album.

I'll be releasing my list of favorite and not-so-favorite J.Lo singles within the next few weeks leading up to her new album release, along with my rank of her albums from good to the best. For now, let me just explain that her music career has been one of my favorites. I've been a die-hard fan since seeing her in "Mi Familia", followed by "Selena", the movie that really did steal my heart. Since then, I've followed up on everything I can (from every magazine cover, every movie release, every marriage/relationship, even turning my room into a shrine before realizing just how far my obsession was going). She is the perfect combination of entertainer, singer, actress, and dancer extraordinaire. Along with Janet, Britney, Ciara, and a number of other female artists, she may not have THE strongest voice in the music industry, but she is one of the most entertaining performers around, with pop hit after the next.

I had my doubts with her "Rebirth" album. She started on this downward spiral where her career was considered. It was hard to tell where she was going. After that, she had 2 releases in one year: her Spanish effort "Como Ama Una Mujer" and her English-pop revival "Brave". Neither one was a big commercial success, but it was the latter that made it obvious that creatively, she wasn't the same J.Lo anymore known for memorable hits like "If You Had My Love", "Waiting for Tonight", and "Get Right". Having kids probably seemed like the best bet for her to slow down and take some time to herself.

Slowly but surely, she hinted at a lot of different things coming up. She made a sorta comeback with her romantic comedy "The Back-Up Plan", as well as hinting first towards a greatest hits album celebrating 10 years in music. That album fell through, but she did say she was still working on new music for a new album soon. From 2007 until now, the album Love? has been pushed back and delayed so many times, I started to give up hope that it would ever see the light of day. Finally in September 2009, she released the buzz single "Fresh Out The Oven" with Pitbull. While the video was hot and sexy Jennifer at her best, the vocals and quality in her voice didn't do much to gain buzz and support for the album. Then there was the debut of her first single "Louboutins" at the American Music Awards when she fell on stage during a dance break. After that, the single didn't too well and did not go over so well with me and other die-hard fans (although I tried and tried to get there).

Then of course came her time on Saturday Night Live hosting and performing (with no album release near). She debuted two new songs "Until it Beats No More" and "Starting Over' which made me cringe with so much awkwardness when she was singing. Her voice was all over the place, and it was easy to see that she definitely wasn't in her prime. Of course after that, her music future was put on the edge again when Epic Records dropped her from the label. Where would she go? Would her album Love? ever see the light of day? Then Summer 2010 turned into the slow but steady return of the superstar I've always known and loved.

She was officially singed to Island/Def Jam records, went back into the studio to re-work the album and improve a lot of leaked songs as well as new material. She was announced as one of the new judges for American Idol, thus starting the big comeback of the year. She premiered on American Idol as compassionate, but fair. She's personable, beautiful, and very constructive when it comes to her criticism. She is one of the big reasons why the show is the best it has ever been. Soon after it premiered, she had endorsements with Venus and L'oreal, not to mention the release of the official first single "On the Floor". With the video premiere on American Idol, it was clear that Jenny from the block is coming back onto the scene in a big way. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, she garnered a lot of praise for her video and great reception both critically and commercially for the song itself.

It's safe to say that Jennifer Lopez is back, bigger and better than ever, and there's just no stopping her high right now! And with hints towards a big comeback tour this summer, I cannot wait for what's to come from Ms. Lopez. Starting first with her Love? release on May 3, my flame for J.Lo has been rekindled for the better.

Look out soon for my Top 5 best and worst singles list, her album ranking, followed by a review of the official album when it's released. Long live Jenifer Lopez, and thanks for listening to my rant about my idol!