I have a confession to make: I didn’t watch the Grammy Awards Sunday night nor any previous to this year’s.
Truthfully, I could care less.
While I adore Adele’s soulful voice and the tenors of Jennifer Hudson – I heard and read through social feeds that both did brilliantly – I just wasn’t interested.
Adele, a British vocalist with a big voice, shows that talent still exists in a musical world where technology-enhanced voices, sexuality and songs about drunkenness sell more.
I have fallen behind on entertainment news, not that I ever actually was on top of it, but there was a time I actually knew the names of the singers on the radio.
I applaud Lady Gaga’s boisterous presence and her tunes are definitely catchy but there are many “artists” that are currently making their names through auto-tuning or flamboyant dances.
And here I bring up Justin Bieber’s Baby or the one-hit YouTube wonder Friday by Rebecca Black.
Recent artists that are branded, popularized and stuck into a boxed image irk me.
Not just because some of them can’t sing, which they can’t, but because of the message they try to send out.
The whole, “I’m skinny (buff for men), beautiful (with a gazillion layers of make-up on), let’s sing about (insert theme) and you can be too if you copy me”, is the wrong message.
It’s become far too much about narcissism and materialistic values and popularity.
For those who have seen The Voice, a singing show seen on CTV that is based on one’s voice and not appearance, it reveals talent from the most unlikely contestants – and I love it.
The show is full of Susan Boyles, another British sensation who has a beautiful voice but was underestimated due to her drab clothing and a kind aunt persona.
People tend to judge others too easily on what other people wear, and stereotypes are further enforced by media perceptions.
Recent award shows, for me, have become overrated.
Thinking on it, I don’t remember a single awards night where I was able to sit still and watch the entire show.
Maybe it’s just not my cup of tea.