bigted

:word: Even if "Lost and Found" sold 5 million they'd find a way not to nominate it for anything but no matter how foul the music industry treats him now, you can't take away the fact that Will won the 1st RAP grammy! btw, it's hard to put somebody in a pop category when they don't sell millions of albums, that's why I was shocked that they gave Will the best male artist at the AMAs, that was one of the top awards, it's easier for a rapper to win a rap award than it is to win a pop award, only the top selling rappers get in the pop category, that's why I'm shocked Kanye got nominated for album of the year, I figured they'd gave the nod to Eminem or 50 Cent since they outsold him.

I could see how they could choose Common's "Be" over "Lost and Found" in the nomination since Common had more hype for his album with higher reviews plus his association with Kanye probably helped, that's why John Legend got so many nominations too, I figure that R. Kelly would have more nominations than him in the r&b catagory. "Switch" would probably get put in the best pop song of the year but I think a couple of rappers are in that category too though so it's dissapointing they chose "Candy Shop" over "Switch" but when 50 Cent sells 4 million he gets the edge over Will. They need to explain though how they'd choose Missy Elliot's album over Will's when Will outsold her and his album stayed on the charts longer than her song, I think she got a couple other nominations for her singles too when "Switch" did better than her singles, not to mention that his album had higher reviews too. They nominated LL's "The Definition" last year for rap album of the year even though "Headsprung" didn't do as well as "Switch" and he got the lowest album reviews in years so I figured from that alone "Lost and Found" would've been nominated. The music industry seems to be so biased against Will but at least he won an AMA award where Common didn't even get nominated for that, they probably meant to give than AMA to Eminem instead of Will Smith, it was probably a typo, lol.

Yeah you could say that it's a producer driven game, that's why "Switch" was such a huge hit even though Will didn't seem to rhyme much on that track, all you need is a hot beat with a couple of lines in between and you got yourself a hit, I wish Dr. Dre wouldn't waste his beats on Eminem and 50 Cent so much and give beats to Will Smith, Nas, and LL instead.

I don't like that many Fabolous and Loon songs but you can't deny that they got nice punchlines, they'd destroy 50 in a mic battle...

Well after Dr. Dre said "Willenium" is the worst album he's ever heard I lost some respect for him, yeah "Chronic 2001" had some dope singles but there was quite a bit of filler on that and I thought a couple of the beats on there sounded simplistic, I don't think him and Ice Cube beef anymore though, that beef ended like 10 years ago man... It'd be nice to see Nas go to Def Jam to get some more promotion but I hope that working with Jay-Z doesn't change his style to sound too commercial, I wanna see him keep doing those deep songs that's he's best known for! If LL, Nas, and Jay-Z do a track together that'd knock a lot of wack mcs out of the game.

I like that Will does the ol' school UTFO verse in the song, all these rappers usually just give props to Pac and Biggie but Will shows that there was hip-hop before them.

Well I hope it's better than "Chronic 2001", that album was not close to the level of "The Chronic", too much generic s*** on it, most likely he'll have Eminem and 50 Cent on half of his tracks so I don't care much for it, if he does tracks with Snoop, Warren G, and Ice Cube then maybe I'll check for it.

It's like pick ur poison when it comes to these awards, they do it mostly on sales, what's so artistic about Eminem and 50 Cent albums? I figure that even Ying Yang Twins and Mike Jones would've been nominated before Common and Missy Elliot would. Most of these nominations were wack, I'm surprised that Common and Stevie Wonder got 4 nominations, it'd be nice if they win, hopefully De La could win one too, they deserve to win their 1st grammy.

"Switch" was one of the most successful singles this year so I figure it'd be nominated as rap single of the year and "Lost and Found" should be up for rap album of the year, I don't understand how Missy Elliot got nominated instead since he outsold her and I didn't really see many good reviews for her album like "Lost and Found" got, and Kanye is officially the most overrated rapper, 8 nominations??!!!! :hmm: I'm happy to see that De La Soul's nominated for their collab with Gorillaz, I find it hard to believe that the ones representin' the ol' school hip-hop with a Grammy nomination would be them. I wasn't expecting for Will to win anything anyway but a couple nominations would've been nice, most likely Kanye West and Mariah'll be the big winners of the show, I'm just happy that Will won an AMA this year.

Unfortunately Will didn't get nominated for anything, I figured he'd get something since he won male artist of the year in the AMAs. Anyway, Here's some of the nominations: THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS & SCIENCES, INC. Final Nominations List 48th Annual GRAMMY® Awards For recordings released during the Eligibility Year October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005 Note: More or less than 5 nominations in a category is the result of ties. General Field Category 1 - Record Of The Year (Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.) • We Belong Together Mariah Carey Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri & Manuel Seal, producers; Brian Garten, John Horesco IV & Phil Tan, engineers/mixers Track from: The Emancipation Of Mimi • Feel Good Inc. Gorillaz Featuring De La Soul Cox, Danger Mouse, Dring & Gorillaz, producers; Jason Cox, Danger Mouse & Gorillaz, engineers/mixers • Boulevard Of Broken Dreams Green Day Rob Cavallo & Green Day, producers; Chris Lord-Alge & Doug McKean, engineers/mixers Track from: American Idiot • Hollaback Girl Gwen Stefani The Neptunes, producers; Andrew Coleman & Phil Tan, engineers/mixers Track from: Love. Angel. Music. Baby. • Gold Digger Kanye West Jon Brion & Kanye West, producers; Tom Biller, Andrew Dawson, Mike Dean & Anthony Kilhofer, engineers/mixers Track from: Late Registration General Field Category 2 - Album Of The Year (Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.) • The Emancipation Of Mimi Mariah Carey Mariah Carey, Brian Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Young Genius, Scram Jones, The Legendary Traxster, LROC, The Neptunes, James Poyser, Manuel Seal, Kanye West & James "Big Jim" Wright, producers; Dana Jon Chappelle, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Frye, Brian Garten, John Horesco IV, Manny Marroquin, Mike Pierce, Phil Tan & Pat "Pat 'Em Down" Viala, engineers/mixers; Herb Powers, mastering engineer • Chaos And Creation In The Backyard Paul McCartney Nigel Godrich, producer; Darrell Thorp, engineer/mixer; Alan Yoshida, mastering engineer • Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Gwen Stefani Andre 3000, Dallas Austin, Dr. Dre, Nellee Hooper, Jimmy Jam, Tony Kanal, Terry Lewis, The Neptunes, Linda Perry & Johnny Vulture, producers; Andre 3000, Andrew Coleman, Greg Collins, Ian Cross, Dr. Dre, John Frye, Simon Gogerly, Mauricio "Veto" Iragorri, Matt Marin, Colin "Dog" Mitchell, Pete Novak, Ian Rossiter, Rick Sheppard, Mark "Spike" Stent, Phil Tan & Johnny Vulture, engineers/mixers; Brian "Big Bass" Gardner, mastering engineer • How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb U2 Brian Eno, Flood, Daniel Lanois, Jacknife Lee, Steve Lillywhite & Chris Thomas, producers; Greg Collins, Flood, Carl Glanville, Simon Gogerly, Nellee Hooper, Jacknife Lee & Steve Lillywhite, engineers/mixers; Arnie Acosta, mastering engineer • Late Registration Kanye West Jon Brion, Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell, Just Blaze, Devo Springsteen & Kanye West, producers; Craig Bauer, Tom Biller, Andrew Dawson, Mike Dean, Anthony Kilhofer, Manny Marroquin, Richard Reitz & Brian Sumner, engineers/mixers; Vlado Meller, mastering engineer General Field Category 3 - Song Of The Year (A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.) • Bless The Broken Road Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna & Marcus Hummon, songwriters (Rascal Flatts) Track from: Feels Like Today • Devils & Dust Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen) Track from: Devils & Dust • Ordinary People W. Adams & J. Stephens, songwriters (John Legend) Track from: Get Lifted • Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own U2, songwriters (U2) Track from: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb • We Belong Together J. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, songwriters; (D. Bristol, K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack, songwriters) (Mariah Carey) Track from: The Emancipation Of Mimi General Field Category 4 - Best New Artist (For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.) • Ciara • Fall Out Boy • Keane • John Legend • SugarLand Field 1 - Pop Category 5 - Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.) • It's Like That Mariah Carey Track from: The Emancipation Of Mimi • Since U Been Gone Kelly Clarkson Track from: Breakaway • Good Is Good Sheryl Crow Track from: Wildflower • I Will Not Be Broken Bonnie Raitt Track from: Souls Alike • Hollaback Girl Gwen Stefani Track from: Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Field 1 - Pop Category 6 - Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.) • Sitting, Waiting, Wishing Jack Johnson Track from: In Between Dreams • Fine Line Paul McCartney Track from: Chaos And Creation In The Backyard • Walk On By Seal Track from: Best: 1991-2004 • Lonely No More Rob Thomas Track from: ...Something To Be • From The Bottom Of My Heart Stevie Wonder Track from: A Time To Love Field 1 - Pop Category 7 - Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) • Don't Lie The Black Eyed Peas Track from: Monkey Business • Mr. Brightside The Killers Track from: Hot Fuss • More Than Love Los Lonely Boys Track from: Los Lonely Boys • This Love Maroon 5 Track from: Live - Friday The 13th • My Doorbell The White Stripes Track from: Get Behind Me Satan Field 1 - Pop Category 8 - Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals (For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.) • Gone Going The Black Eyed Peas & Jack Johnson Track from: Monkey Business • Virginia Moon Foo Fighters Featuring Norah Jones Track from: In Your Honor • Feel Good Inc. Gorillaz Featuring De La Soul Track from: Demon Days • A Song For You Herbie Hancock Featuring Christina Aguilera Track from: Possibilities • A Time To Love Stevie Wonder Featuring India.Arie Track from: A Time To Love Field 1 - Pop Category 9 - Best Pop Instrumental Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) • In Our Time Burt Bacharach & Chris Botti Track from: At This Time • T-Jam George Duke Track from: Duke • Gelo Na Montanha Herbie Hancock Featuring Trey Anastasio Track from: Possibilities • Agave Daniel Lanois Track from: Belladonna • Caravan Les Paul Track from: American Made, World Played Field 1 - Pop Category 10 - Best Pop Instrumental Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.) • At This Time Burt Bacharach • Bloom Eric Johnson • Naked Guitar Earl Klugh • Belladonna Daniel Lanois • Flipside Jeff Lorber Field 1 - Pop Category 11 - Best Pop Vocal Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.) • Extraordinary Machine Fiona Apple • Breakaway Kelly Clarkson • Wildflower Sheryl Crow • Chaos And Creation In The Backyard Paul McCartney • Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Gwen Stefani Field 2 - Dance Category 12 - Best Dance Recording (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.) • Galvanize The Chemical Brothers Featuring Q-Tip The Chemical Brothers, producers; The Chemical Brothers & Steve Dub, mixers Track from: Push The Button • Say Hello Deep Dish Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia & Sharam Tayebi, producers; Deep Dish & Matt Nordstrom, mixers • Wonderful Night Fatboy Slim & Lateef Fatboy Slim, producer; Simon Thornton, mixer Track from: Palookaville • Daft Punk Is Playing At My House LCD Soundsystem The DFA, producers; The DFA & Andy Wallace, mixers Track from: LCD Soundsystem • I Believe In You Kylie Minogue Babydaddy & Jake Shears, producers; Jeremy Wheatly, mixer Track from: Ultimate Kylie • Guilt Is A Useless Emotion New Order New Order & Stuart Price, producers; New Order & Stuart Price, mixers Track from: Waiting For The Sirens' Call Field 2 - Dance Category 13 - Best Electronic/Dance Album (For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.) • Push The Button The Chemical Brothers • Human After All Daft Punk • Palookaville Fatboy Slim • Minimum-Maximum Kraftwerk • LCD Soundsystem LCD Soundsystem Field 3 - Traditional Pop Category 14 - Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.) • The Art Of Romance Tony Bennett • It's Time Michael Bublé • Isn't It Romantic Johnny Mathis • Moonlight Serenade Carly Simon • Thanks For The Memory...The Great American Songbook Volume IV Rod Stewart Field 4 - Rock Category 15 - Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.) • Revolution Eric Clapton Track from: Back Home • Shine It All Around Robert Plant Track from: Mighty ReArranger • Devils & Dust Bruce Springsteen Track from: Devils & Dust • This Is How A Heart Breaks Rob Thomas Track from: ...Something To Be • The Painter Neil Young Track from: Prairie Wind Field 4 - Rock Category 16 - Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal (For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) • Speed Of Sound Coldplay Track from: X&Y • Best Of You Foo Fighters Track from: In Your Honor • Do You Want To Franz Ferdinand Track from: You Could Have It So Much Better • All These Things That I've Done The Killers Track from: Hot Fuss • Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own U2 Track from: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb Field 4 - Rock Category 17 - Best Hard Rock Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) • Doesn't Remind Me Audioslave Track from: Out Of Exile • The Hand That Feeds Nine Inch Nails Track from: With Teeth • Tin Pan Valley Robert Plant Track from: Mighty ReArranger • Little Sister Queens Of The Stone Age Track from: Lullabies To Paralyze • B.Y.O.B. System Of A Down Track from: Mezmerize Field 4 - Rock Category 18 - Best Metal Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) • The Great Satan Ministry Track from: Rantology • Determined Mudvayne Track from: Lost And Found • Mein Teil Rammstein Track from: Reise, Reise • What Drives The Weak Shadows Fall Track from: The War Within • Before I Forget Slipknot Track from: Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) Field 4 - Rock Category 19 - Best Rock Instrumental Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal. Singles or Tracks only.) • Beat Box Guitar Adrian Belew Track from: Side One • Birds Of Prey Stewart Copeland Track from: Orchestralli • 69 Freedom Special Les Paul & Friends Track from: American Made World Played • Mercy Joe Perry Track from: Joe Perry • Lotus Feet Steve Vai Track from: Real Illusions: Reflections Field 4 - Rock Category 20 - Best Rock Song (A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock & Metal songs. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.) • Best Of You Foo Fighters, songwriters (Foo Fighters) Track from: In Your Honor • Beverly Hills Rivers Cuomo, songwriter (Weezer) Track from: Make Believe • City Of Blinding Lights U2, songwriters (U2) Track from: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb • Devils & Dust Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen) Track from: Devils & Dust • Speed Of Sound Guy Berryman, Jon Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay) Track from: X&Y Field 4 - Rock Category 21 - Best Rock Album (Vocal or Instrumental. Includes Hard Rock and Metal.) • X&Y Coldplay • In Your Honor Foo Fighters • A Bigger Bang The Rolling Stones • How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb U2 • Prairie Wind Neil Young Field 5 - Alternative Category 22 - Best Alternative Music Album (Vocal or Instrumental.) • Funeral The Arcade Fire • Guero Beck • Plans Death Cab For Cutie • You Could Have It So Much Better Franz Ferdinand • Get Behind Me Satan The White Stripes Field 6 - R&B Category 23 - Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.) • 1 Thing Amerie Track from: Touch • Wishing On A Star Beyoncé Track from: Roll Bounce (Various Artists) • We Belong Together Mariah Carey Track from: The Emancipation Of Mimi • Free Yourself Fantasia Track from: Free Yourself • Unbreakable Alicia Keys Track from: Unplugged Field 6 - R&B Category 24 - Best Male R&B Vocal Performance (For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.) • Creepin' Jamie Foxx Track from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists) • Ordinary People John Legend Track from: Get Lifted • Let Me Love You Mario Track from: Turning Point • Superstar Usher Track from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists) • So What The Fuss Stevie Wonder Field 6 - R&B Category 25 - Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals (For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) • So Amazing Beyoncé & Stevie Wonder Track from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists) • Cater 2 U Destiny's Child Track from: Destiny's Fulfilled • If This World Were Mine Alicia Keys Featuring Jermaine Paul Track from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists) • So High John Legend Featuring Lauryn Hill • How Will I Know Stevie Wonder Featuring Aisha Morris Track from: A Time To Love Field 6 - R&B Category 26 - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) • Mine Again Mariah Carey Track from: The Emancipation Of Mimi • Summertime Fantasia Track from: Free Yourself • A House Is Not A Home Aretha Franklin Track from: So Amazing - An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross (Various Artists) • If I Was Your Woman Alicia Keys Track from: Unplugged • Stay With You John Legend Track from: Get Lifted Field 6 - R&B Category 27 - Best Urban/Alternative Performance (For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.) • SupaStar Floetry • Dirty Harry Gorillaz Track from: Demon Days • Dust Van Hunt Track from: Van Hunt • Welcome To Jamrock Damian Marley Track from: Welcome To Jamrock • Ghetto Rock Mos Def Track from: The New Danger Field 6 - R&B Category 28 - Best R&B Song (A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.) • Cater 2 U Rodney Jerkins, Beyoncé Knowles, Ricky Lewis, Kelly Rowland, Robert Waller & Michelle Williams, songwriters (Destiny's Child) Track from: Destiny's Fulfilled • Free Yourself Craig Brockman, Missy Elliott & Nisan Stewart, songwriters (Fantasia) Track from: Free Yourself • Ordinary People W. Adams & J. Stephens, songwriters (John Legend) Track from: Get Lifted • Unbreakable Garry Glenn, Alicia Keys, Harold Lily & Kanye West, songwriters (Alicia Keys) Track from: Unplugged • We Belong Together J. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, songwriters; (D. Bristol, K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack, songwriters) (Mariah Carey) Track from: The Emancipation Of Mimi Field 6 - R&B Category 29 - Best R&B Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.) • Illumination Earth, Wind And Fire • Free Yourself Fantasia • Unplugged Alicia Keys • Get Lifted John Legend • A Time To Love Stevie Wonder Field 6 - R&B Category 30 - Best Contemporary R&B Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.) • Touch Amerie • The Emancipation Of Mimi Mariah Carey • Destiny Fulfilled Destiny's Child • Turning Point Mario • O Omarion Field 7 - Rap Category 31 - Best Rap Solo Performance (For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.) • Testify Common Track from: Be • Mockingbird Eminem Track from: Encore • Disco Inferno 50 Cent Track from: The Massacre • Number One Spot Ludacris Track from: The Red Light District • U Don't Know Me T.I. Track from: Urban Legend • Gold Digger Kanye West Track from: Late Registration Field 7 - Rap Category 32 - Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group (For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.) • Don't Phunk With My Heart The Black Eyed Peas Track from: Monkey Business • The Corner Common Featuring The Last Poets Track from: Be • Encore Eminem Featuring Dr. Dre & 50 Cent Track from: Encore • Hate It Or Love It The Game Featuring 50 Cent Track from: The Documentary • Wait (The Whisper Song) Ying Yang Twins Track from: U.S.A.: United State Of Atlanta Field 7 - Rap Category 33 - Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.) • 1,2 Step Ciara Featuring Missy Elliott • They Say Common Featuring Kanye West & John Legend Track from: Be • Soldier Destiny's Child Featuring T.I. & Lil Wayne Track from: Destiny's Fulfilled • Numb/Encore Jay-Z Featuring Linkin Park Track from: Collision Course • Rich Girl Gwen Stefani Featuring Eve Track from: Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Field 7 - Rap Category 34 - Best Rap Song (A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parenthesis.) Singles or Tracks only.) • Candy Shop Curtis Jackson & Scott Storch, songwriters (50 Cent Featuring Olivia) Track from: The Massacre • Diamonds From Sierra Leone D. Harris & Kanye West, songwriters; (J. Barry & D. Black, songwriters) (Kanye West) • Don't Phunk With My Heart William Adams, Printz Board, Stacy Ferguson & George Pajon, Jr., songwriters; (Kalyanji Anandji, Full Force & Indeewar, songwriters) (The Black Eyed Peas) Track from: Monkey Business • Hate It Or Love It Curtis Jackson, A. Lyon, Jayceon Taylor & M. Valenzano, songwriters; (Baker, Felder & Harris, songwriters) (The Game Featuring 50 Cent) Track from: The Documentary • Lose Control M. Elliott, C. Harris & G. Isaacs III, songwriters; (J. Atkins, R. Davis & C. Hudson, songwriters) (Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara & Fat Man Scoop) Track from: The Cookbook Field 7 - Rap Category 35 - Best Rap Album (For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.) • Be Common • The Cookbook Missy Elliott • Encore Eminem • The Massacre 50 Cent • Late Registration Kanye West

With Mary J. Blidge releasing a new album soon it'll be a great time for Will and her to do promo shows together performing "Tell Me Why"! :pony: btw, I think like Frenetic said before those are supposed to be the last albums from Kanye West, he's supposed to retire after "Good Ass Job".

I think it'd been a bigger hit than "Party Starter" if that came out as a single...

Speaking of LL I heard a new track from him that features Juelz Santana on the radio the other day, I think it's called "Juelz and LL", it's crazy, I got hyped listening! :yeah: Kanye West also won an award last, hip-hop artist of the year and in his acceptance speech he said he's the greatest, I wonder what Mr. Smith'd have to say 'bout that, I'd love to have seen the camera focus his facial expression to that, lol. :bat: I'm surprised that 50 said nothin' controversial when he made his acceptance speech.

February is gonna be a big month: Keith Sweat, LL Cool J, Aceyalone, Outkast, ?usetlove!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm looking forward to that KRS album "The Lost Album", hopefully it's new material but it sounds like a lost tapes type album, hopefully Slick Rick could have a big comeback next year with his album too, can't wait! Even Coolio's making a comeback? :hmm: btw, is anybody gonna buy Ron Artest? :rofl: :willvspaparazzi: I seriously doubt that the Fugees album'll come out next month if they didn't even come up with a title yet, I thought Dr. Dre's "Detox" was supposed to drop around the time "Born To Reign" did, why does it take him so long to record this album? There's no release date for "Return Of The Magnificent" yet? I don't think we'd mind if that turned into a JJFP project next year. Why is Redman's album being pushed back until next summer, I thought it was supposed to drop this month, actually it was supposed to drop last summer? :paperbag: Nick Cannon released a single last summer and his album don't come out until next summer? I thought Will had bad promotion! :kekeke: I think a lot of stuff'll get pushed back, hopefully Eminem decides not to record another album, there's no signs of 50 Cent album either so maybe next year might be a better year for hip-hop, lol.

Underground hip-hop heads are dissin' Bow Wow hard for talking 'bout Will like that, finally they're starting to come around after they called me and J5 fags for making a post about how much we like "Party Starter": http://forums.undergroundhiphop.com/readpo...stionID=1588021

I'd love to see JJFP do a video with Snoop, this song was made to be a single that even black radio would play, too bad that probably won't happen though, if the promotion for this album was right Will could be releasing the 5th single by now, all this hard work Will put into this album deserves the same amount of advertising, Will needs to hire a new promotion team... :pony:

Well the Billboard awards are based on record sales so 50 Cent won some awards unfortunately, LL was a great host though, hopefully he'll win some next year when his new album comes out: 50 CENT Artist of the Year -- 50 Cent Billboard 200 Album – 50 Cent “The Massacre” Hot 100 Artist -- 50 Cent Ringtone -- 50 Cent Featuring Olivia “Candy Shop” R&B/Hip Hop Artist -- 50 Cent Rap Artist -- 50 Cent GWEN STEFANI New Artist -- Gwen Stefani Digital Song -- Gwen Stefani “Hollaback Girl” MARIAH CAREY Billboard 200 Album Artist -- Female – Mariah Carey Hot 100 Song -- Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” Hot 100 Airplay Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” R&B/Hip Hop Artist -- Female – Mariah Carey LIL JON & THE EASTSIDE BOYZ Rap Track -- Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz Featuring Usher & Ludacris “Lovers & Friends” MARIO R&B/Hip Hop Song -- Mario “Let Me Love You” R&B/Hip Hop Song Airplay -- Mario “Let Me Love You” TOBY KEITH Country Artist -- Toby Keith Country Album Artist -- Toby Keith GREEN DAY Pop Artist -- Duo/Group – Green Day Billboard 200 Album Artist -- Duo/Group – Green Day Hot 100 Artist - Duo/Group – Green Day Rock Artist -- Green Day Rock Track -- Green Day “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams” Modern Rock Artist -- Green Day DESTINY’S CHILD R&B/Hip Hop Artist -- Destiny’s Child Duo/Group – Destiny’s Child CARRIE UNDERWOOD Hot 100 Song Sales -- Carrie Underwood “Inside Your Heaven/Independence Day” Country Single Sales Artists -- Carrie Underwood Country Single Sales -- Carrie Underwood “Inside Your Heaven/Independence Day” SHAKIRA Latin Song -- Shakira Featuring Alejandro Sanz “La" Tortura” Latin Pop Album -- Shakira “Fijacion Oral Vol. 1" Latin Pop Album Artist– "Shakira" DADDY YANKEE Latin Album Artist – Daddy Yankee LARRY THE CABLE GUY Comedy Artist -- Larry The Cable Guy Comedy Album -- Larry The Cable Guy “The Right To Bare Arms”

It's supposed to come out in late March '06, it's called "The Big Bang"

If JJFP release an album, tour, and release more videos before the next movie's premiered late next year then I'll be happy, btw I think some of us are upset 'cause even after "Lost and Found" got released we still hear critics say that Will should just do movies since this album didn't impact the way it should've. Interscope and Will delayed "Lost and Found"'s release too much and that hurt everything, JJFP could've toured in the spring if it came out in November 2004 instead of March 2005 and 3 or 4 videos could've been shot before Will shot "Pursuit Of Happiness", then we could've had "Lost and Found" being the highest selling album and the media would be giving Will more props right now for his rapping instead of only his acting.

What up JJFP, I'd like to say thanks for being such positive role models for never changing who you are no matter what other rap artists are doing, it takes a lot of heart to stick your ground for so long, nuff props for that. I enjoy all of the albums, especially "He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper" and "Code Red", the first time I was introduced was when I bought the "Big Willie Style" cassette 8 years ago and since then I've been hooked to y'all, such great music that's inspired me many times, it gives me the courage to express myself. Like everyone else said here I'm also looking forward to another JJFP album to enjoy which is something that a lot of hip-hop heads would appreciate and would silent all the critics that've been sleeping on you or young fools like Bow Wow who need schooling to how pure hip-hop is done before they go question your credability. In the meantime though I always blast y'all other albums with pride. I'd also love to see a JJFP concert one day in New Jersey, one love! -Gracia Miller Jr. (Big Ted) Seaside Heights, New Jersey

Well even though Trackmasters only produced a couple tracks off of "Born To Reign" it sounds like the producers were all inspired from the Trackmasters/Puffy style since all the beats sounded similar and made the album sound boring, they're good for Puffy's style, not Will's though, he needs hardcore hip-hop tracks to spit over, not that sampled r&b stuff on every track. I mean if Will could get somebody that produces raw hip-hop beats that's up and coming who was inspired from DJ Premiere I don't mind if he chooses them. I think a lot of the beats on "Lost and Found" are very versatile like "Code Red", only a couple beats like "Wave 'Em Off" and "Could U Love Me" sound boring but even big names make weak beats too and weak producers occasionally make dope beats. It's like if Casual had Dr. Dre produce him, he'd get airplay, but people sleep on him since he doesn't even though he got great production on his album. I think "Here He Comes" is probably one of the worst beats Jazzy Jeff ever did 'cause it sounded average, real talk. It's just there wasn't big names on it, even if Kanye produced a weak track for Will critics would praise it 'cause it's Kanye, before we knew the production credits we figured that Jazzy Jeff did a lot of the production on the album, I think a lot of people would believe you if you told them that Kanye produced "Tell Me Why", Pharrell produced "I Wish I Made That", and Timbaland produced "Pump Ya Brakes" . Will should do more work with the ol' school legends but I wouldn't mind if he mixed it up a lil' bit, put some raw underground producers, hall of fame producers, and a couple big name producers on it. btw, I think Will should get Stevie Wonder to produce a track for him instead of sampling him, that'd be special! :yeah:

Didn't Trackmasters produce most of "Born To Reign"?

Yeah I dig the Neptunes production style and I think that Will'd be able to vibe well with a track from them but certain commercial producers like Eminem wouldn't sound good for Will since they're beats sound recycled, it doesn't matter who produces the tracks as long as it sounds dope, I wouldn't mind if Will worked with some up and coming dope producer too...

College Dropout Kanye Tells High School Students Not To Follow In His Footsteps Rapper promoting higher education with contests, concert. by Corey Moss Kanye West performs at Santa Monica High School (Photo: Chrissy L. Nguyen / MTV News) SANTA MONICA, California — The man who named his debut album The College Dropout made a special high school appearance Monday to praise the value of a higher education. Kanye — who is in fact a college dropout Sign up to receive FREE UPDATES for Kanye West! E-Mail this story to a friend Add RSS Headlines Add VH1 News to My Yahoo — performed a concert for Santa Monica High School students, but not before talking up college and announcing a tuition giveaway. "It is true you can be successful without [college], but this is a hard world, a real world, and you want every advantage you can have," West said backstage. "I would suggest to people to do all that you can. When I dropped out of school I had worked in the music industry and had checks cut in my name from record labels and had a record deal on the table, and when I wasn't successful and Columbia said, 'We'll call you,' I had to go back and work a telemarketing job, go back to the real world, and that's how life is. Life is hard. Take advantage of your opportunities." The Kanye West Foundation is teaming with Musicland for the contest, called the Free U. College Giveaway, which next month will give one winner $150,000 toward college. (Students can enter at Musicland stores.) "I think it's just dope to help kids with money and school," the rapper said. "That's the main problem. When I was a college student I was broke, and I really like clothes. When I was in college it would have been better if I could have afforded more clothes!" West's foundation is sponsoring the contest, but the nonprofit's biggest priority is its own Loop Dreams project, which puts music-production equipment in schools. "My mother was coming up with ideas but everything was so specific — 'We'll take the top three from the southern part of this city,' " West said. "I like simple ideas. I thought, 'Why did I go to school?' I didn't go for math class, I went for gym, for lunch, for art. Back then people used to love to play basketball, everybody had hoop dreams. Nowadays the average student wants to be a rapper or video director or producer or something like that more than playing basketball. So why not start a curriculum that teaches music production? Come on, get with the times. People are so behind. There's poetry classes, but why aren't there rap curriculums? It takes people like myself to stand up and say this is part of our culture, why not use it to educate." West did just that a few minutes later, taking the school's amphitheater stage for a concert that included hits like "Heard 'Em Say," "Jesus Walks" and "Gold Digger," as well as a question-and-answer session with the students. "I got A's and B's," West said with a grin when asked about his high school grades. "And I'm not even frontin'." The school won the concert through a voting contest organized by Power 106's "Big Boy in the Morning" show.

I usually wouldn't give a damn about this but LL's hosting so I'm watching now on Fox! :paparazziupinthespot: Billboard Music Awards Nominees Airdate: Tuesday, December 6 The finalists have been announced for the Billboard Music Awards. The event will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, airing Tuesday, December 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET Live/PT tape-delayed). LL Cool J will host. 50 Cent, Mariah Carey and Green Day are the top finalists in multiple categories. Gwen Stefani, Daddy Yankee, Pharrell, Carrie Underwood and many others are slated to perform. Tom Petty will receive the Century Award, and Kanye West will be honored with the 2005 Artist Achievement Award. The Billboard Music Awards hails the year's leading artists and songs as determined by actual performance on Billboard's weekly charts. The show acknowledges the record-buying, Internet-downloading and radio-listening public's favorites. The finalists, by category, of the 2005 Billboard Music Awards are the following (artists are listed in alphabetical order): Artist of the Year 50 Cent Mariah Carey Kelly Clarkson Green Day Group of the Year The Black Eyed Peas Destiny's Child Green Day The Killers Album of the Year 50 Cent, "The Massacre" Mariah Carey, "The Emancipation of Mimi" Eminem, "Encore" Green Day, "American Idiot" Hot 100 Song of the Year Mariah Carey, "We Belong Together" Kelly Clarkson, "Since U Been Gone" Mario, "Let Me Love You" Gwen Stefani, "Hollaback Girl" Top Selling Single of the Year American Idol Season 4 Finalists, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" Bo Bice, "Inside Your Heaven" The Pussycat Dolls, featuring Busta Rhymes, "Don't Cha" Carrie Underwood, "Inside Your Heaven" Digital Song of the Year Kelly Clarkson, "Since U Been Gone" Green Day, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" The Killers, "Mr. Brightside" Gwen Stefani, "Hollaback Girl" New Artist of the Year Fantasia The Game Gwen Stefani Rob Thomas R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year 50 Cent, "The Massacre" Mariah Carey, "The Emancipation of Mimi" Destiny's Child, "Destiny Fulfilled" Eminem, "Encore" R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year 50 Cent Mariah Carey Destiny's Child Fantasia R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year Mariah Carey, "We Belong Together" Fantasia, "Truth Is" Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz featuring Usher and Ludacris, "Lovers & Friends" Mario, "Let Me Love You" Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year Mariah Carey Ciara Fantasia Alicia Keys Rap Artist of the Year 50 Cent The Game Ludacris T.I. Rap Album of the Year 50 Cent, "The Massacre" Eminem, "Encore" The Game, "The Documentary" Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, "Crunk Juice" Rap Song of the Year 50 Cent featuring Olivia, "Candy Shop" Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz featuring Usher and Ludacris, "Lovers & Friends" Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell, "Drop It Like It's Hot" The Game featuring 50 Cent, "How We Do" Rock Artist of the Year Breaking Benjamin Green Day Papa Roach Velvet Revolver Modern Rock Artist of the Year Foo Fighters Green Day The Killers Nine Inch Nails Modern Rock Song of the Year Foo Fighters, "Best of You" Gorillaz, "Feel Good Inc." Green Day, "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" Nine Inch Nails, "The Hand That Feeds" Country Artist of the Year Kenny Chesney Toby Keith Rascal Flatts Gretchen Wilson Country Album of the Year Toby Keith, "Greatest Hits 2" Rascal Flatts, "Feels Like Today" Shania Twain, "Greatest Hits" Gretchen Wilson, "Here for the Party" Country Group of the Year Brooks & Dunn Montgomery Gentry Rascal Flatts Sugarland Ringtone of the Year 50 Cent featuring Olivia, "Candy Shop" Ciara featuring Missy Elliott, "1, 2 Step" Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz featuring Usher and Ludacris, "Lovers & Friends" Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell, "Drop It Like It's Hot"