Grammy Row 08: Best R&B Male Vocal Nominees R...

Grammy Row 08: Best R&B Male Vocal Nominees Reviewed

Category: Music News
Posted 1 year ago by Queenoftab
Credit: http://www.singersroom.com/news/entertainment-story-
It is that time of year, the coveted Grammy Award nominations are set to be announced Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Known for recognizing the artistry in music and not just the charts, the Grammy Awards have become the most important, if not defining, moment for recording stars in all genres. After all the Grammy Awards have crowned and pushed many R&B, Soul and Neo-Soul singers into mainstream audiences. Acts including Jill Scott, India.Aire, Outkast and Erykah Badu have enjoyed what may be called a `Grammy Boost`. Plus it is hard to forget Grammy winning moments for Usher (Confessions), Mariah Carey (The Emancipation of Mimi), Alicia Keys (Songs In A Minor) and ,,, who set a record in 1999 for becoming the first woman to take home five awards in one sitting (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill).

With that said, let`s take a look at potential nominees for this years (51st Annual Grammy Awards) awards and stay clicked to Singersroom.com through Wednesday, Dec. 3 as we review 2008`s Grammy Row, a look at R&B and the Grammy`s including Best R&B Song.

First up, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Contenders (among others): Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Usher, Al Green, J. Holiday, Raheem DeVaughn, Trey Songz, and John Legend.

Surprising as it may be Chris Brown released "Exclusive," the mega-hit sophomore album just last year. After criss crossing between film (Stomp The Yard, This Christmas) and music, Chris Brown amassed six hit singles including the well received mainstream hits "With You" and "Forever". Releasing what has been called the young singer`s defining moment, "Exclusive" has been noted for balancing edgy dance tracks and seductive ballads. Rolling Stone, known for its no-holds-barred approach to reviews, says "He seals the deal with Exclusive, an all-grown-up album on a level with Justin Timberlake`s Justified, Rihanna`s Good Girl Gone Bad or even Bobby Brown`s King of Stage." With well received reviews and chart topping status in addition to earning Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards, Chris Brown`s luck will more than likely extend to a Best Male R&B Vocal Performance nomination among a few other nods. Brown`s "Exclusive," which was re-released this year with bonus songs, includes production from Bryan Michael Cox, Dre & Vidal, Polow Da Don, The Dream, Kanye West, The Runners and Stargate.

In addition to Chris Brown, Usher and Ne-Yo, two of Contemporary R&B`s strongest stars released new albums during the Grammy nomination period which runs from October 1, 2007 - September 30, 2008. Usher, an already five-time Grammy Award-winner, released "Here I Stand," the follow up to his now Diamond-certified album "Confessions" in May. While the album failed to chart like its predecessor the "Love In This Club" singer has a number of selections on the album that could be Grammy-worthy, again the Grammy`s are about content and artistry, not just the charts. With that being said, when it comes to Usher my friends, your guess is a as good as mine - Rolling Stone says `..now that he`s got the American Dream [the wife and kids], he sounds like he`s stopped trying.`

Following Usher, Ne-Yo took on a `Gentlemanly` aura with "Year of the Gentleman," his third studio album, released just in time for the Grammy deadline. A Best Contemporary R&B winner (Because of You), Ne-Yo, who is also an accomplished songwriter, looks poised for a Grammy-nod. His singles "Closer" and "Miss Independent" were well received, with "Closer" hitting #1 internationally. A collection of heartfelt songs featuring production from Polow Da Don and Stargate, Ne-Yo`s "Year of The Gentleman" was called "a superb concept album about what a great boyfriend he can be" by Rolling Stone.

Rounding out what may be the top four contenders for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance is Al Green. After a still unforgettable performance at this year`s BET Awards, where Green received a Lifetime Achievement Award, the legendary soul singer toured in support of "Lay It Down," his first top 10 album since 1973. The album, which featured the lead single "Stay With Me By The Sea (feat. John Legend)," has been heralded as somewhat of a `golden` comeback for the singer. The "Love and Happiness" singer tapped `new blood` (Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of the Roots and James Poyser) for the project this time out and by the looks of it, it might just earn him a Grammy. In fact, All Music Guilde has gone as far as deeming the project "a killer Al Green soul album."

R&B singers J. Holiday (Back Of My Lac); Raheem DeVaughn "Love Behind The Melody;" Trey Songz "Trey Day;" and John Legend are also high on the list with their respective projects.

Related Links: Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Lauryn Hill, Shaffer Smith
Grammy Row 08: Best R&B Male Vocal Nominees Reviewed
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See Also: Mariah Carey News :: Alicia Keys News :: Chris Brown News :: Lauryn Hill News :: Shaffer Smith News
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