We'll see about that I still think he has album of the year locked up. In other awards shows that ain't fair like the MTV Video Music Awards they would want him to throw tantrums but not the Grammy's they'll give it to him not because of the hard loss he went through losing his mom but because pretty much everyone agrees Graduation truly deserves album of the year
Kanye West Offers Samples Of Zen-Like Wisdom From His Upcoming Book
'When you're so focused on what you don't have, you won't have,' rapper writes in 'Thank You and You're Welcome,' previewed on his blog.
By Gil Kaufman
Get ready for the wit and wisdom of Kanye: The MC posted three teaser pages from his upcoming book, "Thank You and You're Welcome," on his kanyeuniversecity.com blog on Monday. The book, which can be pre-ordered on West's Web site for $10, was co-authored by J. Sakiya Sandifer, who wrote "Think Think Think and Think Again: The Power of Ideas Designed to Spark Change." (Kanye also announced his North American tour plans last week.)
Among the Kanye-isms offered in the book? On the "Get Use to Getting Used" [sic] page: "To most people, the saying 'to use someone' carries a negative connotation. But I don't see it that way. To 'mis,' 'over' or 'ab'-use someone is negative. To use is necessary. And if you can't be used, you're useless."
When it was announced last year, West's literary debut was described as including "the creative, humorous and insightful philosophies and anecdotes used in creating his path to success. It captures the same wit, playful irony and piercing insight found abundant in his lyrics." The first 500 books sold will be autographed by Sandifer and West, who promised that the book will be "uncensored, without any five-second delay or media distortion."
Among the other Zen-like motivational pages previewed on the site is "The Missing Banister Theory," which, like the other preview pages, consists of the title in big, blocky letters on the left-hand page and a poetic affirmation on the right. In this case, the affirmation reads: "When walking down the street, you can walk in one line perfectly without ever falling over. Now take that same city block, make it a foot wider and then put it a hundred stories high. You're going to be so focused on the fact that you don't have a banister that you're more likely to fall because of it. When you're so focused on what you don't have ... you won't have."
Perhaps the quintessential excerpt from the book by the jet-setting 'Ye is the all-important "Be Leery of the Free Gift Bag!" page. In it, West warns that there are people who try to put themselves into a position where you'll owe them something. As an example, he writes, "I asked someone to do a part on my album. He agreed and said, 'I'm not even going to charge you,' as if he was doing me a favor. 'But when I'm working on my album, I want you to do a verse for me.' I responded with, 'No! I want to pay you for what I asked you to do and we'll talk about that verse when the time comes. Thank you and you're welcome!' "
Metallica, Pearl Jam, Kanye Set For Bonnaroo
Pearl Jam
February 06, 2008, 12:00 AM ET
Ray Waddell, Nashville
The seventh annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has rolled out its most diverse lineup yet for 2008, with Metallica, Pearl Jam, Kanye West, Willie Nelson, Jack Johnson and My Morning Jacket among the acts on the bill for the June 12-15 event in Manchester, Tenn.
And rumors of a Led Zeppelin appearance at Bonnaroo are true (sort of), with all-female Zeppelin cover band Lez Zeppelin set to take the stage.
Other artists include the Allman Brothers Band, B.B. King, M.I.A., Drive-By Truckers, Phil Lesh & Friends, Death Cab For Cutie, Vampire Weekend, Levon Helm, the Raconteurs and Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. Bonnaroo's Comedy Tent will host Janeane Garofalo, Zach Galifianakis, Mike Birbiglia, Jim Norton, Brian Posehn and David Cross.
The final Bonnaroo 2008 lineup will total more than 100 bands and 20 comedians performing on 13 stages over four days. Tickets go on sale exclusively through Bonnaroo.com on Feb. 16 at noon.
"I actually feel like it's one of our strongest lineups to date and it strengthens our diversity within our programming," Superfly Productions president Jonathan Mayers tells Billboard.com. Superfly and A.C. Entertainment are co-producers of Bonnaroo. "I know we still have a lot more to add, too, so I'm excited about it and feel like we're going to have a very successful year."
As to the wide-ranging stylistic nature of this year's bill, Mayers says it appeals to the diverse tastes of music fans today, much as hosting Tool, the Police, Dierks Bentley, White Stripes and Ralph Stanley did last year. "That's a real testament to music and the diversity of people's interest," says Mayers. "We're in a position to help introduce people to new things and hopefully the audience is open-minded and will discover what's out there."
This year, Bonnaroo is offering ticket buyers the option to purchase a commemorative DVD of the 2008 festival that will be sent to them in December. These DVDs will feature exclusive performances and backstage footage from the upcoming event, in a 5.1 audio mix created from Bonnaroo's soundboard recordings.
Located on 700 acres of farmland (which Bonnaroo purchased last year) about 60 miles south of Nashville, Bonnaroo is the top-grossing North American festival, taking in an estimated $18 million in ticket sales last year. Bonnaroo is also a three-time winner of the Top Festival award at the annual Billboard Touring Awards.
Here are confirmed artists for the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival:
Pearl Jam
Metallica
Jack Johnson
Kanye West
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
Phil Lesh & Friends
My Morning Jacket
The Allman Brothers Band
The Raconteurs
Willie Nelson
Death Cab For Cutie
B.B. King
Sigur Ros
Levon Helm and the Ramble on the Road
Ben Folds
O.A.R.
The Bluegrass Allstars feat. Luke Bulla, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and Bryan Sutton
M.I.A.
Umphrey's McGee
Iron & Wine
Yonder Mountain String Band
Swell Season
Talib Kweli
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi's Soul Stew Revival
Broken Social Scene
Robert Randolph Gospel Show
Rilo Kiley
Gogel Bordello
Mastodon
Lupe Fiasco
Against Me!
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
Pat Green
Ozomatli
Tegan & Sara
Solomon Burke
Drive-By Truckers
!!!
The Avett Brothers
Israel Vibrations
Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck
Phil Lesh / Larry Campbell / Jackie Green
Aimee Mann
Ladytron
The Fiery Furnaces
Orchestra Baobab
Ghostland Observatory
Jose Gonzalez
Dark Star Orchestra
Minus The Bear
Donavon Frankenreiter
Lez Zeppelin
State Radio
Battles
Jakob Dylan
Two Gallants
The Sword
Vampire Weekend
Little Feat
Nicole Atkins
The Felice Brothers
Mason Jennings
MGMT
The Lee Boys
Black Kids
Serena Ryder
Steel Train
Grupo Fantasma
Back Door Slam
Bonnaroo Comedy:
Bonnaroo Late Night Chat About with David Cross
Janeane Garofalo
Zach Galifianakis
Jim Norton
Brian Posehn
Mike Birbiglia
John Mulaney
Michelle Buteau
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
As expected, Amy Winehouse will perform during Sunday's Grammy Awards via satellite from a London studio, organizers announced today (Feb. 8). The artist, who has recently spent time in rehab, was denied a visa to travel to the Los Angeles ceremony by the American Embassy in London.
Also new to the performance roster is Kanye West, who leads the field with eight nominations, John Mayer and BeBe Winans. Dierks Bentley, Cuba Gooding Jr., Carole King, Roselyn Sanchez, Usher and will.i.am are new to the roster of presenters.
Other performers include Beyonce with Tina Turner, Kid Rock, Eldar, Dave Koz, Keely Smith, Fergie with John Legend, Rihanna, Josh Groban with Andrea Bocelli, Feist, Foo Fighters with John Paul Jones, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige.
Akon, Tony Bennett, Cher, Nelly Furtado, Quincy Jones, Prince, Ringo Starr, Dave Stewart, Taylor Swift, Stevie Wonder, Tom Hanks, Joe Mantegna, Jason Bateman will present.
Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
As expected, Amy Winehouse will perform during Sunday's Grammy Awards via satellite from a London studio, organizers announced today (Feb. 8). The artist, who has recently spent time in rehab, was denied a visa to travel to the Los Angeles ceremony by the American Embassy in London.
Also new to the performance roster is Kanye West, who leads the field with eight nominations, John Mayer and BeBe Winans. Dierks Bentley, Cuba Gooding Jr., Carole King, Roselyn Sanchez, Usher and will.i.am are new to the roster of presenters.
Other performers include Beyonce with Tina Turner, Kid Rock, Eldar, Dave Koz, Keely Smith, Fergie with John Legend, Rihanna, Josh Groban with Andrea Bocelli, Feist, Foo Fighters with John Paul Jones, Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige.
Akon, Tony Bennett, Cher, Nelly Furtado, Quincy Jones, Prince, Ringo Starr, Dave Stewart, Taylor Swift, Stevie Wonder, Tom Hanks, Joe Mantegna, Jason Bateman will present.
Kanye West To Perform At Grammys; May Honor His Late Mother, Donda
Rapper reportedly rehearsing 'Stronger' and 'Hey Mama,' songs he dedicated to her on European tour.
By Jayson Rodriguez
Kanye West has been tapped to perform at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, the Recording Academy announced Friday (February 8).
According to reports, the Chicago rapper, who leads this year's pack with eight nominations, has been in rehearsals performing his hit "Stronger" from his recent album, Graduation, along with "Hey Mama" from his sophomore effort, Late Registration.
It's widely believed that West will honor his mother, the late Donda West, with his Grammy performance. On November 10, Donda died of a heart attack related to pre-existing health conditions and complications from plastic surgery.
Kanye performed the same two songs overseas during his Glow in the Dark Tour as a tribute to his mother. During a stop in Paris a week after his mother's death, however, West was visibly shaken and couldn't finish "Hey Mama." He cut the song short after being unable to continue and ended the show with "Stronger."
The very next tour date, however, in Belgium, West was able to pull himself together and gave a stirring speech dedicated to his mother. In online videos of the performance, West proudly proclaimed, "[These songs are for] problems that we're going through ... hard times. Who would ever have thought that these same songs would have to help me?"
West also included a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' " as a part of the tribute.
Inquiries made by MTV News to representatives for the Grammy Awards and Def Jam were not returned as of press time.
West's performance, along with a strong critical buzz for Graduation are leading many to predict that this is the year the beleaguered rap star will finally win the coveted Album of the Year award. He's hardly bitten his tongue in the past regarding his desire — and right — to win.
"I really believe I can take home that Album of the Year award at the Grammys," West told MTV News in July. "I've won my awards, but they've always been a category: 'hip-hop,' 'rap.' I wanna win Song of the Year, Album of the Year. I wanna deliver this album."
Nominees: Foo Fighters' Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, Vince Gill's These Days, Herbie Hancock's River: The Joni Letters, Kanye West's Graduation, Amy Winehouse's Back To Black
Gill's sprawling, 4-CD set shows his versatility--and, at a time that even single-disk CDs are fighting to be heard--his audacity. Jazzman Hancock's salute to pop icon Joni Mitchell crosses genre lines-something that Grammy voters love. Winehouse was last year's most critically admired newcomer. But West is out front. He'll be only the second rap act, following OutKast, to win this top award. The pick: West.
Best Rap Album
Nominees: Common's Finding Forever, Jay-Z's Kingdom Come, Nas' Hip-Hop Is Dead, T.I.'s T.I. Vs. T.I.P., Kanye West's Graduation
This is the only category in which all five finalists were #1 pop albums. Jay-Z won this award in 1998, but it's all but certain to go to West for the third time in four years. That will put him in a tie with Eminem for the most wins in the category's 13-year history. The pick: West
...And they will look very nice next to his other 6 he already has!
Year
Nominated work Award Result
2005
The College Dropout Album of the Year Nominated
"Jesus Walks" Song of the Year Nominated
Kanye West Best New Artist Nominated "You Don't Know My Name" Best R&B Song Won
"Slow Jamz" Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominated
"All Falls Down" Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominated
"Through the Wire" Best Rap Solo Performance Nominated "Jesus Walks" Best Rap Song Won
The College Dropout Best Rap Album Won
2006
Late Registration Album of the Year Nominated
"Gold Digger" Record of the Year Nominated
"Unbreakable" Best R&B Song Nominated
"They Say" Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominated "Gold Digger" Best Rap Solo Performance Won
"Diamonds from Sierra Leone" Best Rap Song Won
Late Registration Best Rap Album Won
2008
Graduation Album of the Year Nominated "Stronger" Best Rap Solo Performance Won
"Southside" Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Won
"Classic (Better Than I've Ever Been)" Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated
"Good Life" Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominated
"Can't Tell Me Nothing" Best Rap Song Nominated "Good Life" Best Rap Song Won
Graduation Best Rap Album Won
Didnt leave with the big one...but he isnt done yet. This isnt the last time we see KanYe nominated for AOTY. Congrats for all the wins!!
Big lol Rico are you talking about me?
It's ok though if you are yes yes I have returned only because I had something to say about today's Grammys. Anytime I have something to say I do return it happened during Graduation's triump over Curtis and it will usually happen after any big event that involves Kanye. lol. However I would like to apologize for my behavior last week and yesterday I had no right to judge people like that saying that they were gay, stupid and retarded because they didn't have the same beliefs as myself. Yes I do find some of you guys to be a bit weird however I shouldn't have judged your guys sexuality, intelligence and political views so I am sorry. What made realize this you say? Well just the other day I was talking to my Grandma about Mitt Romney dropping out and I said one thing I didn't like about Romney was that he was a Mormon. And she said you shouldn't judge people like that just because they're not the same religion as you (which btw I am a Catholic but we don't need to go there) and I said yeah your right. I also went to church the next day praying to God and it was almost like that he was speaking to me and said "Yes I know you want to always be right but you shouldn't judge others like how you have done when you are blogging" which made me realize that I do owe you guys an apology and you don't necessarily have to accept it but just acknowledge the fact that I am apologizing for my behavior. Anyways woooo what a long story it's already 2:34 in the morning and I have the Cosby Show on my TV right now. I should probably go to bed I do have class in the morning at 10. lol too much information huh. ttygl I'm getting sleepy
But I think its going to Amy seriously.
he returns!!!!!!!!!!!?????????