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video music awards

2014 MTV Video Music Awards- Who Will Win

by Ryan Shea

MTV, Beyonce, Manhattan Digest

As sad as it is for me to say this, I was not invited to the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards that are happening tonight in Inglewood, California.  I repped Manhattan Digest to the fullest at last year’s show when they were held at Brooklyn’s very own Barclay Center, and gave us one of the most epic performances in VMA history- Miley Cyrus.  If you don’t know what happened then you have been living under a rock for the past year.  Needless to say, this year’s VMA’s is sure to be unpredictable and insane as it usually is.  The lineup of performances look sick, with the opening being pop divas Jessie J, Arianna Grande and hip-hop songstress Nicki Minaj doing their current top 10 single “Bang Bang”.  Other noteworthy performances of the night should be Taylor Swift, who will be performing her new hit “Shake It Off” from the much anticipated new album “1989” due out October 27th.  And of course, the lady of the night will be eight time nominee and already multiple VMA award winner Beyonce, who will be receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award later in the evening.  This award has been bestowed on several legends in the industry, from Madonna, Janet Jackson, The Rolling Stones and most recently pop pioneers Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears.  Should be a performance of epic madness and one that I cannot wait to see.

So let’s breakdown the other thing that people are there to see- who will win each category at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.  This year’s pack is stacked with some of the biggest artists and songs of the year, and is making it tough for this journalist to choose who will win and who should win.  It is still funny to me that MTV broadcasts something like this when I believe I was wearing JNCO Jeans the last time they actually aired a block of music videos, but it is the most highly anticipated award show of the season, so I can see why they keep it going each year.  Let’s breakdown each category, starting with the “Artist To Watch, Presented by Taco Bell”.

Artist to Watch, Presented By Taco Bell

5 Seconds Of Summer- “She Looks So Perfect”

Fifth Harmony- “Miss Moving On”

Sam Smith- “Stay With Me”

Schoolboy Q- “Man Of The Year”

Charli XCX- “Boom Clap”

Who Will Win- 5 Seconds Of Summer, Who Should Win- Sam Smith

5 Seconds Of Summer really came out of nowhere and has won the hearts of millions of adoring teens, who are the ones voting on this particular category for the most part.  They are One Direction with talent, drums and guitar for the most part, so I sure as heck see them easily winning this won as it is a fan based vote.  Fifth Harmony could’ve been a heavy contender for this if 5SOS wasn’t in it, but they won’t win this one.  Schoolboy Q is amazing, as well as Charli XCX’s song from “The fault In Our Stars” but not enough to garner this.  If Sam Smith doesn’t win this at the VMA’s, he sure as hell will win at the 2015 Grammys and several other prestigious awards.  His solo work this year on “Stay With Me” on top of his brilliant performances with other artists such as Disclosure and Naughty Boy prove what a threat this guy is to the industry, and I hope he gets some love on VMA night.

Best Rock Video-

Lorde- “Royals”

Linkin Park- “Until I’m Gone”

Imagine Dragons- “Demons”

Black Keys- “Fever”

Arctic Monkeys- “Do I Wanna Know?”

Who Will Win- Imagine Dragons.  Who Should Win- Black Keys.

Imagine Dragons have had a pretty awesome two years, and this was only the 2nd song released off of their amazing debut album.  “Royals” is not a rock song, so I don’t get why it is in this category.  Lorde has a better shot in other categories than this one, and sadly I don’t think Arctic Monkeys have a shot in this category either.  Black Keys should win as “Fever” is an amazing video, but no doubt Imagine Dragons will be the one taking this home tonight.

Best Pop Video-

Arianna Grande Featuring Iggy Azealea- “Problem”

Iggy Azalea Featuring Chari XCX- “Fancy”

Avicii Featuring Aloe Blacc- “Wake Me Up”

Jason DeRulo Featuring 2Chainz- “Talk Dirty”

Pharrell Williams- “Happy”

Who Will Win- Arianna Grande & Iggy.  Who Should Win- Pharrell.

This really has been the year for Arianna and Iggy, however I think because Arianna has a bigger tween and teen fanbase she should lock this one up.  “Wake Me Up” should be more in the clubland award than this one, and “Talk Dirty” just seems too urban for this as well, as is “Fancy”.  “Happy” is a freaking brilliant video that screams pop with a R&B flare, and should be the one to win in this.  But expect pop ingenue Arianna Grande to be leaving with not just one but a couple of VMA night.

Best Female Video-

Lorde- “Royals”

Beyonce- “Partition”

Arianna Grande Featuring Iggy Azalea- “Problem”

Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX- “Fancy”

Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J- “Dark Horse”

Who Will Win- “Royals”.  Who Should Win- “Dark Horse/Partition”

I think “Royals”, even though it is quite simple, kept my focus a lot more than the colorful pops that Iggy and Arianne presented in each of their videos, and the song is better than both so based off that it will and maybe should win.  I loved the video for “Dark Horse” as Katy keeps bringing us really unique and out there videos that she has done so well over the years.  “Partition” isn’t the best video from the Beyonce album, but the look and feel of it should really make her a good contender for this category tonight.

Best Male Video-

Ed Sheeran Featuring Pharrell Williams- “Sing”

Sam Smith- “Stay With Me”

John Legend- “All Of Me”

Eminem Featuring Rihanna- “Monster”

Pharrell Williams- “Happy”

Who Will Win- Ed Sheeran.  Who Should Win- All of them (Minus John Legend).

This is quite possibly the strongest category of the bunch this year, as all videos and songs are incredible in their own unique ways.  John’s song is amazing and is this generation’s new wedding song, however the video was basic and more of wedding video than an actual music video.  I happen to love Ed Sheeran’s vocals and video for “Sing” so that gets my vote easily.  I wouldn’t mind multiple VMA winner Eminem winning this for old times sake, however I think this is Ed’s to lose.

Best Hip-Hop Video-

Childish Gambino- “3005”

Drake Featuring Majid Jordan- “Hold On (We’re Going Home)”

Eminem- “Berserk”

Kanye West- “Black Skinhead”

Wiz Khalifa- “We Dem Boyz”

Who Will Win- Drake.  Who should win-  All of them.

Another really amazing category.  I have to say Drake will win just based off of how popular the video and song was, however Eminem might be knocking at Drake’s door for this so don’t be surprised if he pulls an upset.  Kanye’s video is one of his best ever with his own social message that makes this video and song one of the standouts off of his last album.  Wiz hasn’t really had the biggest success since “Black & Yellow”  however “We Dem Boyz” is a great video and keeps his street hustle going in the hip-hop game.  Childish Gambino deserves a lot more success than then man is given, and I am super pumped the “3005” got the nod this year.

Video Of The Year-

Sia- “Chandelier”

Pharrell Williams- “Happy”

Miley Cyrus- “Wrecking Ball”

Beyonce Featuring Jay-Z- “Drunk In Love”

Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX- “Fancy”

Who Will Win- Miley or Beyonce.  Who should win- SIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Chandelier” is such an AMAZING song and video that I really just want to see Sia make a public appearance and win this.  She’s like the female Daft Punk, you really never see her so I think it would make an AWESOME VMA moment if she won.  I don’t get why Iggy is in this, the video is great but not at this level, she’s too new.  As much as “Wrecking Ball” is a great video it is more 2013 than 2014, so I don’t think it deserves to win this.  “Happy” is amazing, but I fear Pharrell may be shut out due to the younger demographic.  Seeing as this is Beyonce’s night, expect her to win her second Video Of The Year trophy (done once before for “Single Ladies” back in 2009).  But this is quite the unpredictable category, so you never know.

Who do YOU think will win tonight?  Comment here and for a full list of nominees check out the official website for more info.

 

 

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, TELEVISION, uncategorized Tagged With: 2014 mtv video music awards, 2chainz, 5 seconds of summer, arctic monkeys, arianna grande, Beyonce, black keys, boom clap, britney spears, Chandelier, chari xcx, childish gambino, drake, Ed Sheeran, eminem, fifth harmony, happy, iggy azalea, imagine dragons, janet jackson, jason derulo, jay-z, john legend, justin timberlake, Katy Perry, linkin park, lorde, madonna, michael jackson, miley cyrus, pharell williams, pharrell, Rihanna, sam smith, schoolboy q, Sia, stay with me, Taylor Swift, video music award, video music awards, vma, VMA's, Wiz Khalifa

Phi Phi O’Hara- The “Bitchy” Queen Speaks Out

by Ryan Shea

Manhattan Digest, Phi Phi O'Hara

Phi Phi O’Hara- Learning From The Past & Working On The Future

RuPaul’s Drag Race has slowly become one of the best reality shows on television.  In order for a show like this to work, there has to be a particular formula that the viewers can feed off of.  Things such as intriguing competitions, the handful of contestants that you root for to ultimately win, and the one or two people deemed the villains that you love to hate, or hate to love.  The latter couldn’t have been any truer than season four finalist Phi Phi O’Hara, who was truthfully the first queen ever on that show to have so much controversy and outright public anger than ever before. [Read more…] about Phi Phi O’Hara- The “Bitchy” Queen Speaks Out

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, TELEVISION Tagged With: bitchy, family guy, manhattan digest, meg griffin, miley cyrus, phi phi o'hara, rupaul, rupauls drag race, season four, sharon needles, video music awards, world of wonder, youtube

MTV’s Video Music Awards- Live From The Red Carpet

by Ryan Shea

Credit to: Myself
Credit to: Myself

 

After doing this whole blogging thing for the past three or so years, I can honestly say that all my hard work and dedication has somewhat led up to what occurred on Sunday night.  I represented Manhattan Digest at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards on The Red Carpet and stood beside some of the biggest press outlets in the world, from Entertainment Tonight to Reuters to Access Hollywood to name a few.  Truly, I felt honored and quite humbled to just be there and the exhilarating feeling of walking across the red carpet was something I will never really forget.

Credit to: New York Daily News
Credit to: New York Daily News

 

The day started with my trek to Brooklyn from Long Island.  Once I got to Brooklyn, I waited in line with a ton of other press outlets who were eagerly waiting to see what was going to happen next.  The amazing thing is that even six or seven hours early, there was a massive crowd outside of fans and people alike.  I’m so happy that MTV decided to do this in Brooklyn as so many real music fans and performers alike were born and bred here.  We were then redirected inside The Barclay Center, where we were treated to some great audio in the sense of all the VMA performers doing their rehearsals.  Shortly after, we lined up and made our way to the red carpet where the night really took off.

 

Credit to: Huffington Post
Credit to: Huffington Post

The red carpet itself was magical in its own way, with stars from across the board showing up for quite possibly the most buzzed about and trendiest award show of the night.  Early arrivals from Snooki and Kendrick Lamar got things going and  the energy and excitement from the fans on the red carpet and even the ones who were hanging in the buildings adjacent from the Barclay Center was incredible as the sunlight went down and it progressed into nighttime.

 

Credit to: US News
Credit to: US News

We were treated to pre-VMA performances on the red carpet from Artist To Watch winner Austin Mahone and fresh-faced newbie Arianna Grande, who recently scored a top ten hit with rapper Mac Miller in her song “The Way”.  Some of the biggest starts towards the end of the red carpet from the Twerking and foam finger loving Miley Cyrus to multiple winners Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Hollywood Legend Will Smith who memorably made the face above when seeing that Miley performance. Tee hee.  The only stars that managed to not show up to the red carpet was Britney Spears (who was rumored to be in Brooklyn- DAMMIT!)  and Justin Timberlake and NSYNC as they were the surprise performance of the night (that I wish would’ve lasted a little longer.   Sad face indeed).

Credit to Me.
Credit to Me.

 

Although I didn’t go to the award show itself, it didn’t really matter to me.  I was able to meet and greet people that most people only get a chance to see on the big screen.  The whole experience itself was just amazing.  I have said this before and will say it again and again- persistence and perseverance pays off in the long run.  It always does.  If you truly believe something it will happen, without a doubt.  Oh and Will Smith said hey to me.  The pic is above.  Yeayuhhhh.  For all things VMA’s and MTV, check out MTV.com 

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, TELEVISION Tagged With: arianna grande, britney spears, Brooklyn, justin timberlake, mac miller, macklemore, miley, miley cyrus, mtv, NEW YORK, nsync, ryan lewis, twerk, twerking, video music awards, vmav, will smith

2013 MTV Video Music Award Noms- The List is out…

by Ryan Shea

Credit to: Filter Magazine
Credit to: Filter Magazine

 

The Video Music Awards are the one award show I look forward to every year because beyond anything it tends to be pretty freaking awesome.  It ranks as one of the most social events of the year and has birthed and revamped many careers over the past three decades.  Now in it’s 30th year (crazy), the VMA’s are set to take place back where it all started- New York.  It will be broadcasted live on August 25 at the brand new Barclay Center right in the heart of Brooklyn.  Heck, even the classic Moonman got a great redesign for only this year.  Truth be told, this will be another one for the record books.  How can I tell? All the great people are nominated this year.  Let’s break down each category.

Credit to: Idolator
Credit to: Idolator

 

Video of the Year-

The ultimate, the biggest award of the night has got to be “Video of the Year”.  In recent years, R&B Divas like Beyonce (Single Ladies) and Rihanna (Umbrella, We Found Love) have taken the trophies yet over it’s 30 year history has seen this award go to a bevy of legends such as Madonna (Ray of Light) and Eminem (Without Me) just to name a few.  This year three R&B crooners, a hip-hop legend in the making and one of the biggest female stars on the planet all under one category.  Robin Thicke has his first set of nominations this year with his number one chart topping “Blurred Lines” featuring Pharrell Williams and T.I.  That song has been voted by several publications as the song of the summer, and boy has it been good to him.  Justin Timberlake returns to the VMA pool with the second single off his album The 20/20 Experience with “Mirrors”.  He has been in this category twice before for “What Goes Around… Comes Around” and “Cry Me A River”.  Country-turned-Pop diva Taylor Swift has her first Video of the Year nod with the second single off her album “Red” called “I Knew You Were Trouble”.  Rounding out this category is R&B hit maker Bruno Mars “Locked Outta Heaven” and who I think will and should be the winner, Macklemore &Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” which currently sits as the biggest selling song of 2013.  It’s also a rad video. Yup.

Credit to: Rap It Up
Credit to: Rap It Up

 

Best Hip-Hop Video-

This category has been around since 1999 (it changed from Best Rap Video) and has been won by quite the bevy of artists such as Beastie Boys, Jennifer Lopez and Missy Elliott.  The nominees this year scream out for the fresh new faces that are taking over the industry and keeping it hot and hopeful for the years to come.  Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who are up for 6 this year, come in again in this category with “Thrift Shop” but they have some truly stiff competition in place.  Newbies in the game from Kendrick Lamar (Swimming Pools), A$AP Rocky (F***ing Problems) have their first shots at winning a moonman, and perennial favorites such as Drake (Started From The Bottom) and J. Cole (Power Trip) are looking to make their mark in this category.  “Thrift Shop” will most likely win in this category as well, but there is a crowded room for anyone to come out on top.

Credit to: Idolator
Credit to: Idolator

 

Best Collaboration-

This award, only given out in 2007, 2010 and 2011 has been won by all the big divas in recent years such as Katy Perry (E.T. with Kanye West), Lady Gaga (Telephone with Beyonce) and Beyonce and Shakira (Beautiful Liar).  The divaness in this one is not on the mainstage, as the five nominees couldn’t be different from each other.  Robin Thicke shows up again in this category with the saucy “Blurred Lines”.  Hot dance tracks such as Pitbull & Christina Aguilera’s “Feel This Moment” and Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding’s “I Need Your Love” populate the crowd as well.  The two that I see truly going neck to neck on this is Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z’s “Suit & Tie” and chart-topping “Just Give Me A Reason” by Pink and Nate Truess.

Check out the full list on MTV.com.  Who is your pick to win? Be sure to watch the MTV Video Music Awards live on August 25th and see if your favorite wins!

 

Filed Under: BREAKING NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, TELEVISION Tagged With: a$ap rocky, drake, j. cole, jay-z, justin timberlake, kendrick lamar, macklemore, nate truess, pharrell williams, robin thicke, ryan lewis, t.i., thrift shop, video music awards

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