The 52nd annual Grammy Awards air Sunday from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and it's sure to be a star-packed night. Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Jay-Z lead the nominees, and what we're most looking forward to is some good old-fashioned Grammy wagering.
We love gambling. Some people might even say we're addicted to it. And while we can totally quit whenever we want, the Grammys are perhaps the most excellent betting event of the year. Wagering on them is basically like wagering on which way the wind will blow or what color socks that dude in the cubicle next to you will wear tomorrow: The results are almost completely random, which really spices things up.
Still, there are those out there who are experts at handicapping these sorts of things (they're called oddsmakers), and in the hopes of getting a leg up, we turned to them for some advice. These are their picks for the night's biggest categories — Album, Record and Song of the Year, plus everyone's favorite crapshoot, Best New Artist. We're not gonna lie, we're relying pretty hard on their expertise — we need a new flat-screen TV.
Anyway, from two of the best oddsmakers in the gamble-verse, here are the odds for the 2010 Grammys.
Ladbrokes
"The thing with the Grammys is, it goes through all the markets and is based largely on how the songs are received," said Nick Weinberg, Ladbrokes' chief sports, politics and novelty oddsmaker. "Beyoncé's odds are probably a bit shorter than they should be. Because she's a name, she can release a terrible album, and it would be nominated for an award. ... But Taylor Swift is the selection. All things being equal, she should win it. Quite an impressive record — which is why we made it our favorite."
Album of the Year
» Taylor Swift, Fearless: 11/8
» Beyoncé, I Am ... Sasha Fierce: 5/2
» Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.: 3/1
» Lady Gaga, The Fame: 6/1
» Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King: 8/1
Record of the Year
» Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me":13/8
» Beyoncé, "Halo": 9/4
» Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody": 4/1
» Lady Gaga, "Poker Face": 5/1
» Black Eyed Peas, "I Gotta Feeling": 5/1
Song of the Year
» Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me": 6/4
» Beyoncé, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)": 9/4
» Lady Gaga, "Poker Face": 3/1
» Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody": 5/1
» Maxwell, "Pretty Wings": 10/1
Best New Artist
» MGMT: 7/4
» Keri Hilson: 11/8
» The Ting Tings: 4/1
» Zac Brown Band: 6/1
» Silversun Pickups: 10:1
Bodog
"This Year's Grammy Awards could be a clean sweep in the three main categories as Taylor Swift is the favorite to win Best Album, Record and Song of the Year," Bodog.com sportsbook manager Richard Gardner said. "And Bodog.com's bettors seem to think it may be possible. As of right now, all the early money is on Swift to do just that."
Album of the Year
» Taylor Swift, Fearless: 5/4
» Beyoncé, I Am ... Sasha Fierce: 2/1
» Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.: 9/4
» Lady Gaga, The Fame: 6/1
» Dave Matthews Band, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King: 13/2
Record of the Year
» Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me": 5/4
» Beyoncé, "Halo": 3/2
» Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody": 4/1
» Black Eyed Peas, "I Gotta Feeling": 5/1
» Lady Gaga, "Poker Face": 11/2
Song of the Year
» Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me": 3/2
» Beyoncé, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)": 7/4
» Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody": 5/2
» Lady Gaga, "Poker Face": 9/2
» Maxwell, "Pretty Wings": 15/2
Best New Artist
» MGMT: 6/5
» Keri Hilson: 3/2
» The Ting Tings: 4/1
» Zac Brown Band: 9/2
» Silversun Pickups: 10/1
MTV
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There will be a little extra Who at Super Bowl XLIV on February 7th: in addition to rocking the halftime show, the band’s “My Generation” will debut as a remix. Will.i.am has recruited Slash to help rework the classic track. Following the big game, the song will go on sale on iTunes, with all proceeds benefiting Haiti earthquake relief funds.
“I altered the lyric to fit my generation now,” Will.i.am told Billboard, adding that Slash plays on the track. “It was awesome. I loved that song way before this even came up, and talking to Pete Townshend on the phone is like, ‘What?! I’m talking to Pete Townshend on the phone?!’ Those guys are just awesome.” It’s unclear whether the band will premiere the song during their halftime performance, or whether it will play during a break in the action or an ad.
This marks the second consecutive Super Bowl Sunday to sport a classic song remixed by the Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am. Last year, the rapper-producer teamed with Bob Dylan for a new version of “Forever Young” that played during a Pepsi commercial during the game.
“My Generation” is one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. As RS previously reported, Townshend told Billboard the bulk of the mashup medley the Who will perform during their Super Bowl set, and the “immortal fuck-off to the elders” as RS called the track, was not among the songs he named. The list did include “Baba O’Riley,” “Pinball Wizard,” “Tommy,” “Who Are You” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
Rolling Stone
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Lady Gaga, Eminem and Jay-Z have proven to be International stars. Illustrated by their nominations at UK's The Brit Awards. While one of the world's biggest sensations in 2009, Susan Boyle has been totally shut out.
The award show which will be held at London's Earls Court on February 16 will feature performances by Lily Allen, Jay-Z and Cheryl Cole according to Music-News Underground.
It seems astonishing that Susan Boyle who has sold more than 1.6 million copies of her debut album "I Dreamed A Dream" in the UK alone wouldn't at least be asked to perform. But Ged Doherty, chairman of the BRITs Committee and Sony Music U.K. chairman and CEO, says. "Susan won't be performing on the show, not this year" according to Billboard,
Lady Gaga received a total of three nominations while Taylor Swift, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Eminem, Jay-Z and Shakira are all up for one apiece.
BRIT Awards 2010 Nominees:British Male Solo Artist
Calvin Harris
Dizzee Rascal
Mika
Paolo Nutini
Robbie Williams
British Female Solo Artist
Bat for Lashes
Florence & the Machine
Leona Lewis
Lily Allen
Pixie Lott
British Breakthrough Act
(Winner chosen by Radio 1 listeners)
Florence & the Machine
Friendly Fires
JLS
La Roux
Pixie Lott
British Group
Doves
Friendly Fires
JLS
Kasabian
Muse
British Album
Dizzee Rascal "Tongue n'Cheek" (Dirtee Stank)
Florence & the Machine "Lungs" (Island/Universal Music)
Kasabian "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum" (Columbia/Sony Music)
Lily Allen "It's Not Me, It's You" (Regal Recordings/EMI Music)
Paolo Nutini "Sunny Side Up" (Atlantic/Warner Music)
British Single
(Winner selected by U.K. commercial radio listeners)
Alesha Dixon "Breathe Slow" (Asylum/Warner Music)
Alexandra Burke Ft Flo Rida "Bad Boys" (Syco Music/Sony Music)
Cheryl Cole "Fight For This Love" (Fascination/Universal Music)
Joe McElderry "The Climb" (Syco Music/Sony Music)
JLS "Beat Again" (Epic/Sony Music)
La Roux "In For The Kill" (Polydor/Universal Music)
Lily Allen "The Fear" (Regal Recordings/EMI Music)
Pixie Lott "Mama Do" (Mercury/Universal Music)
Taio Cruz "Break Your Heart" (4th & Broadway/Universal Music)
Tinchy Stryder Ft N-Dubz "Number 1" (4th & Broadway/Universal Music)
International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Eminem
Jay-Z
Michael Bublé
Seasick Steve
International Female Solo Artist
Lady Gaga
Ladyhawke
Norah Jones
Rihanna
Shakira
International Breakthrough Act
(Winner chosen by MTV viewers)
Animal Collective
Daniel Merriweather
Empire of the Sun
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift
International Album
Animal Collective "Merriweather Post Pavilion" (Domino Recordings)
Black Eyed Peas "The E.N.D." (Interscope/Universal Music)
Empire of the Sun "Walking on a Dream" (Virgin/EMI Music)
Jay-Z "The Blueprint 3" (Roc Nation/Warner Music)
Lady Gaga "The Fame" (Interscope/Universal Music)
BRITs Album of 30 Years
(Winner chosen by Radio 2 & 6 Music listeners)
Coldplay "A Rush of Blood to the Head" (Parlophone/EMI Music)
Dido "No Angel" (Arista/Sony Music)
Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms" (Mercury/Universal Music)
Duffy "Rockferry" (A&M Polydor/Universal Music)
Keane "Hopes & Fears" (Island/Universal Music)
Oasis "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" (Big Brother)
Phil Collins "No Jacket Required" (Virgin/EMI Music)
Sade "Diamond Life" (Epic/Sony Music)
The Verve "Urban Hymns" (Parlophone/EMI Music)
Travis "The Man Who" (Independiente)
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Posted by ChasinDatPaper on September 2, 2009 at 12:30pm
HipHopWired Reports
The Black Eyed Peas are riding high after breaking the Billboard record for longest act on the top 100 with their successful singles, “I Gotta Feeling” and “Boom Boom Pow.” Unfortunately for the chart topping group, someone's stepped up to shoot them down. A former employee on the Peas' concert tour is suing the band for an undisclosed amount of damages. Winter Sumpter claims that she was severely injured during band's 2007 “Black Blue & You” Tour. During the band's Burbank, California performance, Sumpter says she fell through a flight of stairs when “one of the treads became detached.”
In her court claim she says she suffered “severe and permanent injuries” and was left with “mental, physical, nervous pain and suffering.” Of course she's pointing the finger at the Peas for her clumsiness but she's not stopping there. She is also asking for a handout from their tour manager, and other concert officials. You know what they say; more money, more problems.
Despite the shady lawsuit, the Peas can crown themselves victorious overseas after a ban on one of their concerts was lifted. The band made headlines after Malaysian officials banned Muslim citizens from attending their upcoming concert in the country. Now however, that ban has been lifted and all citizens of Malaysia are free to attend at their will. The ban was put in place because the concert is sponsored by the Irish beer company, Guinness. Muslims are denounced from using alcohol as part of their Islamic law. Muslim officials have yet to provide a reason why the ban was lifted but they are imposing strict rules. Guinness will not be allowed to sell their product at the concert or use its logo for publicity. The concert is part of the beer company's 250th anniversary.
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MTVNEWS Reports
The teens have once again spoken, and their favorites seem to be "Twilight," Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and "Gossip Girl." There were 83 Million votes cast for the 2009 Teen Choice Awards, and as the results were unveiled Sunday night (August 9), it was a meeting of many big, beautiful, bizarrely matched superstars at the Gibson Amphitheatre.
The evening was hosted by the Jonas Brothers, who began the festivities by "interrupting" a Barack Obama press conference, then took dares from fans (who gave them such challenges as speed-hugging a line of fans — Kim Kardashian cut in near the end) and also rocked out with a full brass backing band. Highlights of the evening included "Twilight" winning 11 awards and Britney receiving the Ultimate Choice Award.
"This is an honor, you've got to love the teens. We're here because of them," beamed Chace Crawford, moments before heading inside to take home the Choice TV Actor: Drama award for "Gossip Girl." "I don't know what I would say to Britney Spears. Hopefully, I'll bump into her."
"Wow, I would need to think about what I would say to her," laughed Taylor Lautner, finally revealing what he'd ask the superstar if stuck on an elevator with Britney: "So, what are you doing tonight?"
Moments before the taping began, Britney and her entourage had the backstage swag shop emptied so she could pick up some goodies. Britney parked her kids in front of the "Band Hero" video game, where they banged away on the instruments while she snagged free sneakers, hats and other items.
Once inside, the awards were presented fast and furious. Lautner, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Justin Chon, Robert Pattinson, Nikki Reed, Jackson Rathbone and Catherine Hardwicke took the stage and braved the shrieks to take home surfboard trophies for Best Drama, Romance, Actor (Pattinson), Actress (Stewart), Villain (Cam Gigandet), Fresh Face Female (Greene), Fresh Face Male (Lautner), Liplock (Stewart and Pattinson) and Rumble (Pattinson and Gigandet). Another highlight came when RPattz and Megan Fox came onstage together to accept their matching Hottie awards.
"I'm doing something special with her tonight," Miley Cyrus told us before the show of the night's biggest moment, when she presented Britney with her Ultimate Choice Award. "She's a good friend of the family, so I'm just happy to finally show everyone that she's back, and she never went anywhere. She's had a successful career, I'm proud of her — and both of us being Southern girls, I love that."
Hugh Jackman was presented with the award for Choice Movie: Action Adventure in a way we can safely assume no one ever has before: by getting his face tattooed on a Jonas Brother. "They had a little challenge to Kevin, one of the Jonas brothers, to tattoo the winner of the award on his arm. So, they announced it by showing the tattoo," Jackman grinned backstage, promising that the award for "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" only made him more resolved to return the character to the screen soon. "I thought that was pretty good work for one commercial break — that was probably the quickest tattoo in the history of the world! But it was a good way to get it. And particularly good for me for my street cred, because my kids like the Jonas Brothers — and just be being near them, that's all that matters."
Other big winners included Zac Efron (Actor Comedy, "17 Again" and Actor Music/Dance, "HSM3"), "The Hills" (Choice TV: Reality, and Female Reality, Lauren Conrad) and Beyoncé (Choice Music R&B Artist and R& BTrack for "Single Ladies"). Sean Kingston stole the show with a memorable performance, as did Black Eyed Peas — who surfed above the crowd.
"We just wanted to try something different," Taboo told us after the show. "Flying in the air over the crowd? I was scared. But it was exciting; we got the opportunity to do something different. It was great."
"We had a fantastic night. We pulled in 11 — that was amazing," marveled Jackson Rathbone after the show, reflecting back on all the "Twilight" triumphs. "I got to sit next to my Ashley Greene, and she won 'Fresh Face,' along with Taylor. It was amazing to have everything go the way it did."
"The universe didn't explode — like some people may have thought — if the two of them came in contact," laughed Miley's "Hannah Montana" co-star Jason Earles, remembering the moment when she and Britney were onstage together. "It was cool, it was almost like a passing of the torch."
"I wish Britney Spears would've performed. I didn't get to meet her, but I was so excited she was there. She looks great — I'm so happy for her," said an excited Ashley Greene afterward. "She's had a rough couple of years, but she looked phenomenal. And Sean Kingston? His performance was cool, the dancers ... I just ran into him [backstage]. Now I'm going to go download his stuff."
The Teen Choice Awards air Monday, August 10 at 10:00 p.m. ET on Fox.
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I don't know what to make of this story. But let's follow the sequence of events.
This is the full series of Hilton's tweets starting from most recent first:
The Toronto police are here now. Thank you. Please stop calling them.34 minutes ago from Sidekick
I spoke to my lawyer. I really need to talk to the authorities. Please come to the SoHo Met Hotel. Have called the police. Need them here.about 1 hour ago from Sidekick
Still waiting for the police. The bleeding has stopped. I need to document this. Please, can the police come to the SoHo Met Hotel.about 1 hour ago from Sidekick
I was assaulted by Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas and his security guards. I am bleeding. Please, I need to file a police report. No joke.about 1 hour ago from Sidekick
I'm in shock. I need the police ASAP. Please come to the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel now. Please.about 1 hour ago from Sidekick
Is there a gay bar that we can go to with GaGa now that like has a balcony or some place to have fun but be safe?about 4 hours ago from Sidekick
Mission accomplished! I just got a picture with Taylor Lautner!!!! That one is for my fellow fangirls! Xoxo
The rapper said that it started at an event after the MuchMusic Awards in Canada where Fergie of "The Peas" came up to the blogger and asked why he didn't like their music. Hilton explained it was just the record, but according to Wil.I.Am was "up in her face" and rude to her.
Later, Wil.I.Am encountered Hilton at another club and requested that he not treat the group in such a rude way as he did on his website. But rather than apologize, Hilton said "I don't respect you" to Wil.I.Am, who said "OK. That's cool." But then Hilton, who's Gay, called Wil.I.Am a faggot but even then the lead lyricist for the Black Eyed Peas held his cool and backed off; but an unknown fan didn't and accordind to Wil.I.Am "got all up into him". So it was the fan that assaulted Hilton, not Wil.I.Am; if Wil.I.Am's story is accurate, Hilton lied about the incident.
Hilton didn't stop tweeting. His last posts as of this writing said..
I won't be talking about this any further. It is in the hands of the authorities.22 minutes ago from web
Thank u all from the bottom of my heart for ur concern. The police are investigating the assault now. I did the right thing by reporting it.22 minutes ago from web
For his part Wil.I.Am said "It's all cool; it just got a little crazy."
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