The 53rd annual Grammy Awards were handed out here in Los Angeles, CA last night and, for the most part, many of the awards were handed out to the usual suspects. BUT, two of the night’s biggest awards were handed out to musicians unknown to the better part of the mainstream audience … which resulted in a lot of “Who?!” exclamations after their names were announced as winners. The 2011 Best New Artist award went to singer Esperanza Spalding (who beat out Florence + the Machine, Justin Bieber, and others) and the night’s biggest award — Album of the Year — went the Arcade Fire for their album The Suburbs (who beat out Eminem, Lady Gaga and more).
While I am not a huge fan of either act, I applaud the Grammy Voters for making these bold choices. Year after year we are inundated with the same winners putting out, essentially, the same music. I honestly had never heard of Esperanza Spalding before last night … but you can be sure I’m going to check her out now. Here is what Esperanza had to say about her big win last night:
“I feel really lucky that I got to be acknowledged on this stage in front of so many people who hopefully will get to experience my music, and I got there by doing what’s really dear to my heart.”
As for Arcade Fire, I like them but I don’t love them. What I do love is that this indie band who is really only popular among hipsters was awarded the biggest award of the night in a show of appreciation for their musical talent. As soon as the band collected their Grammy last night, this is what they posted on the Arcade Fire official Twitter profile:
I’ll post more photos and stuff from last night’s Grammy Awards … but I really wanted to highlight these 2 wins. To be honest, it’s very exciting to me when stuff like this happens. I actually learned something from the Grammy Awards … and now I have 2 new music artists that I need to take the time to get to know.
So what did you think of these wins last night? Were you upset? Are you planning to seek out the music of both Esperanza Spalding and Arcade Fire?
[Photo credit: Wireimage]
To simply put it, I love it when the underdogs win! So refreshing! :D
I am SO happy for both of them, I absolutely loved the shock on Bieber’s face when he DIDN’T WIN hahaha. Plus I just adore Arcade Fire; it was really nice to see people who are actually musicians win these awards. Even Lady Antebellum seemed just over the top happy, so sincere!
Here here!Arcade Fire’s album is AMAZING! And I am on my way to itunes as many folks are I’m sure to check out Esperanza.
I can’t believe no one knows who Arcade Fire is. I mean, David Bowie loved them from Funeral and even sang with them. Funeral was at least 4 years old. Suburbs deserved the Album of the Year award IMHO.
That’s because they aren’t mainstream shitty pop with lots of bells, whistles, and bling.
I thought it was a great show overall. Most of the performers seemed really good at their genre, and they showcased all different types of music. Personally, I could have done without the Katy Perry and Barbra Streisand, but that is just me. ;)
I am so happy that Arcade Fire won ladt night! They are an amazing band.I saw them in Toronto when they first hit the music scene…they were amazing live. I love that fact that they are different. The amount of different instruments they can play is amazing! You have to listen to there new cd. I do enjoy there first cd better but its still an amazing Cd
After I heard the song Wake Up from Arcade Fire I was a fan. So glad they won last night believe me I was totally shocked and loved the band’s reaction.
Did anybody really think Justin Bieber was going to win a grammy? This is not the teen choice awards
On another note, Esperanza reminds me of Imogen Heap. I mean Esperanza has been around actually for a few years now. Imogen was nominated after releasing her music for a few years aswell.
She deserved her win, enough said. Justin didn’t – every thought because he was so successful he deserved it. No sales doesn’t mean your album, voice, talent and what not means you’re the best. You don’t need a million seller album to win a Grammy and you shouldn’t either.
With that said, since Esperanza hadn’t been nominated in the past, from what I’m aware of, she was eligible for Best New Artist. Since Janelle Monae was nominated a year or so back for Best Music Video for New Moons, she wasn’t eligible for Best New Artist when her ArchAndroid was her debut LP on a record label. Same rule created an uproar for Gaga aswell, but thankgod for that hey!
EITHER WAY – Janelle was amazing, everyone take a listen to ArchAndroid WITHOUT skipping a song. The whole album is one fluid song, its amazing.
And congrats to Esperanza, you DESERVED it (Not Drake who yeah had a stellar year, still doesn’t fit or sound like a rapper, his voice, bleh)
Coincidentally, both Janelle and Esperanza are friends and performed a tribute to Prince at the BET Awards which also everyone should check out because they’re one of the best performances from each respective artist, i mean MUSICIAN – I can say Musician cause they actually play instruments aswell. Haha..sigh
I may be one of the only people here who has heard of Esperanza before the Grammys last night, but that is only because I just so happened to be watching the BET awards last year when she paid tribute to Prince and boy did she blow me away! That night, I remembered thinking to myself, who is this chick? Where did she come from? She is incredible! I immediately went to youtube to look her up. I was pleasantly surprised to see her nominated and then win last night. She’s an incredible artist and I’m so happy that she got this huge exposure from last nights win.Hopefully more people will come to appreciate her stuff.
This is so crazy that Esperanza Spalding won the Best New Artist! Well i never heard her before, but in-fact i just knew her now! Good for her, she won The Best New Artist, i bet she’s really happy! Keep it up Esperanza, did you know you got a lot of hates from the Beliebers!
I love you Esperanza I’ve heard your songs, and your amazing!