Grammy Yeah-Yeah-Yeah

If you watched the Grammys and didn't find all of the collabo performances very cool, then you're sleeping through a music revolution. Seriously!

Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys and Quincy Jones honoring Ray Charles; the mad crazy schizoid opening, jumping from Black Eyed Peas to Maroon 5, Los Lonely Boys and lots of others. Kanye and the Staples Singers. Usher and James Brown. Green Day going all poltically correct- rock style- on our ass. Melissa Ethridge (a rocker) and Joss Stone (new age soul) rockin' out for old,old school bluesy rocker, Janis Joplin.

All signs that the music academy has finally realized that music is changing with or without them. So they may as well get on board or get left!

This is the second year that the Grammys has actively worked to incorporate lots of different types of music in performances and done a better job of spreading the wealth when it comes to who receives an award.

Back in the stone ages, when I was a teen watching the Grammys, it was the most boring show EVER! A real yawner. It was the snooty, elite show that not only totally ignored hip hop and gave R&B a lukewarm reception, but prided itself on its elitist tude.

The AMAs were the bomb then - embracing more pop or whatever was hot. It was faster moving, had better performances and was more fun to watch.

Now, the Grammys has realized that it just might be better to honor performers who the average Jane actually listens to. Imagine that!

Even though there are still plenty of award shows that might be more exciting to watch - take your pick, Vibe Awards, Source Awards, and the Billboard Awards, to name a few. What's nice about the Grammys, now, is watching all types of music come together. Literally.

Tim McGraw and Nelly joining country and hip hop. Gwen and Eve hooking up again to bring the hip hop/pop/punk sound. That's hot!

I'll admit, with so many types of music out there to nod your head to, sitting through some Grammy acts can be tough. Confession: I almost surfed through the Lynard Skynard performance, but decided to give it a chance. It wasn't too bad. Honestly, it wasn't.

If you're a real music lover (and I am) you try to find something good about just any type of music.

Hey, if JZ can perform with Linkin Park and Nelly can get down with Tim McGraw, then you know, I can sit through some good, old southern rock without having to turn in my hip hop head card.

Okay, sappy we-are-the-world moment in 3, 2, 1...

See, music is really supposed to be a universal language. It's one of the few things that actually breaks down walls between people. Now call me a cock-eyed optimist. But it's something about watching musical genres blend that makes me think, one day people could do the same outside of music, finding a way to see past race, ethinic background, income levels etc..

Alright! I'm done waxing philosophical!!

Anyway, with the Queen L-A-T-I-F-A-H in command (if you don't know, check out her lyrical flow before she went jazz on a sister) the Grammys was once again more enjoyable to watch than in the past. It wasn't a non-stop party, but then again, it never was.

Baby steps, people. Baby steps.


Rock (and) Roll, Rhythm (and) Blues, Hip (and) Hop,

Paula Chase AKA Her Royal Cliqueness