Dance music has come a long way in the past decade. From music you could only hear at 5 am in NYC at clubs like Sound Factory and Crobar, to now being played out by commercialized mainstream radio. Dance music is beats and vocals dubbed together by artists who can hear melodies where others do not. Having said this, it is amazing to see these artists being honored, as musicians, at the Grammy awards.
The nominees for Best Dance Recording are all very talented DJ’s. Avicii is a great DJ who brought dance music to the mainstream when Flo Rida remixed his song Levels. Although he should be recognized for helping bring dance music to the forefront of American radio, I don’t think he deserves the Grammy this year. The Best Dance Recording, in my opinion, belongs to Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin, Don’t you Worry Child. This song mixes beautiful vocals and lyrics with genius melodies and beats. Not only can you sing along to this track but you can also get lost in its atmosphere. Swedish House Mafia is a trio of talented DJ’s and ingenious producers. They mix just the right amount of commercial feel to get radio air time and still keep the respect of dance music lovers around the world.
The Grammy for the Best Dance/Electronica Album hands down belongs to Kaskade Fire and Ice. Kaskade is one of the few American DJs and producers to draw followers around the world. In 2011 Kaskade was voted America’s Best DJ 2011 by www.djtimes.com. The Fire and Ice album peaked at #17 on the US Charts and #1 on the US Dance Charts. Kaskade brings together different artists and other DJs in this album and still manages to keep his authentic sound. The album includes two discs’ (Fire and Ice) which contain the same tracks but mixed in two completely different ways. Fire is smooth and alluring, while Ice is loud and hard. Although the same songs, each disc feels and sounds completely unique. Kaskade deserves this award, in my opinion, and I believe will take home the Grammy this year. Although the other albums in this category are all great none has the originality and range of skill like Kaskade Fire and Ice.