What up with the SAMAs?

For the last four years, I’ve covered the South African Music Awards, starting with the nominations announcements, the parties building up to the awards, the weekend festivities, the production, the yellow carpet and of course the actual awards. I love it! I think the organisers have provided such a great platform for our artists to shine, to showcase their talent to not only their fans, but music lovers from other genres too. The production has grown from strength to strength in the years that I’ve covered it and I think they can only get better as we move forward.

Having said all of that, I now need to raise a few concerns. What is going on with the SAMAs this year? There are so many murmurs from within the industry about the venue being changed; MTN no longer sponsoring the awards. The nominations party was pushed back to a later date (still to be announced) and there still is no word on what is happening. Now I know not to believe the rumours until there is official word or confirmation, but I’m really starting to wonder what on earth is going on. I can’t imagine why MTN would pull out of such a prestigious event and I don’t really know why the awards would change venues, when the Sun City Superbowl has played host to the awards for so long. Everyone I know talks about the #RoadToSunCity etc etc.

In short, I love these awards. I believe South Africa music has never sounded and looked better. The production, musically and visually (videos) is world class and I think we need to continue to show our artists the love they deserve. I would just love to know what on earth is going on and when we can expect to start building up to SA music’s biggest night. If the organisers see this, email me or drop us all a statement. It’s good to be clear, upfront and honest about what is going on… Just saying.

2011 Oscars- Documentary winners

Oscar nominee Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal present the award for Best Documentary Short Feature to “Strangers No More”

Best Live Action Short Form goes to Luke Matheny for his work on “God of Love”

“Gosh I should’ve got a haircut. Thanks to the Academy for this amazing honour. To my fellow nominees.”

Continuing on the documentary categories, talk show queen, Oprah Winfrey presents the award to Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs for the “Inside Job”. Before doing his thank yous, Charles had a go at the “fraudsters” still on the loose. To those who aren’t in jail after causing the financial crisis over three years ago. He then went on to do thanks yous, “Thank you all for this profound honour. Let the record show, I’m not wearing jeans.”

Grammys 2011: Lady Antebellum wins Record of the Year

“Thank you so much to the recording Academy. We had the privilege of performing this track on this stage last year. We are so thankful for this. We just cried our eyes out backstage and I can’t believe we’re back here again.”

Jason Segal of How I Met Your Mother fame introduced first time performers on the Grammy stage, Arcade Fire, who then rocked out on the stage. Besides the pulsating lights and the high energy tracks, the group also included a group of bicyclists, armed with helmet cameras too. What a great way to kick start the first of many Grammy performances I’m sure.

And the first celeb to enter rehab this year is?

2011 is barely eighty hours old and yet the first celebrity meltdown has already occurred. Following his breakup with Courtney Cox last year, David Arquette has taken the necessary steps to curb his drinking and depressed habits. According to sources close People Magazine, Arquette isn’t dealing well with the changes in his life, “He is in there for drinking and depression, not hard drugs. Rehab was inevitable. He is dealing with a broken heart. He can’t handle all the changes in his life. All his inner demons came out.” While David has admitted to becoming a “maniac” when he drinks, his ex wife, whom he separated from in October last year, says she’s happy he is taking the steps to better himself. “I really admire David and his choice to take charge and better his life. I love and support him.”

Unlike some other names in Hollywood, he looks like he’s willing to make this easier and with the support of his loved ones, hopefully he’ll be out of there sooner rather than later! Good luck to him

Kornrow Kim ushers in the New Year with a song

Kim Kardashian is arguably the biggest name in the entertainment business at the moment. While many will ask why, others know the answer to that question. The reality TV star is not just famous for having a famous lawyer dad, a famous sex tape with Ray J, her family have become household names thanks to their hit show on E! Entertainment. She’s a clever woman she is. She’s used the platform to grow her brand, expanding into fashion, the fragrance market and now it would appear music too. Kim ushered in the New Year at Tao Nightclub in Las Vegas with a group of friends and while we’d all heard that music was next on her list of world domination, we never knew when. Well the New Year brought with it a sneak peak as to what to expect from KK. Have a listen:

On this one called Shake, she’s said to have worked with The Dream. How appropriate that the notoriously big bootie gal has a song called Shake. Look this is an amateur recording, but from what I hear (and dare I say it), Kim’s quest for world domination might be on track. Let’s see what 2011 has in store for her, musically and more!

Happy 2011 good people

Happy New Year to you all good people. I trust this year will be kind, successful, loving and all kinds of fun for you all. I look forward to sharing more of my experiences in the entertainment world with you this year and I thank you for being part of my blogging experience last year. Let’s Raise Our Glasses (thanks P!nk) to the New Year and all it has to offer!

What’s on my list of things to do this year:
- Pursue my love for radio. DJ JvB
- TV/ Online show ideas need to get going
- Spend more time with those I love and adore

That’s just a list of three. More will be revealed soon. What do you have on your list for 2011?