DRAKE LEADS CANADIAN CONTINGENT AT THE GRAMMYS.

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.—The 53rd Grammy Awards could quickly turn into the Eminem show.The controversial Detroit rapper has a leading 10 nominations going into tonight’s show, which will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.The 38-year-old earned nominations in each of the show’s biggest categories: song, record and album of the year.But he’ll have competition from a few prominent Canadian acts.

Toronto rapper Drake leads the Canuck contingent with four nominations, while Neil Young, Justin Bieber and Michael Buble all claimed multiple nominations as well.Arcade Fire also nabbed three nominations, including a nod for the evening’s top prize: album of the year.But the Montreal rockers will have stiff competition there, facing off against Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum and, of course, Eminem.The best new artist category, meanwhile, will pit Bieber and Drake against one another.

The other nominees for the award are Florence & the Machine, Mumford & Sons and jazz singer Esperanza Spalding, whose nomination in the marquee category surprised many insiders.Other Canadians nominated include Melanie Fiona, Measha Brueggergosman, Rush and Michael J. Fox, who’s up for best spoken word album — the same award the Edmonton native claimed last year.There are plenty of slightly more obscure Canadian nominees as well, including Darcy James Argue, Marc-Andre Hamelin and Northern Cree.And as always, the Grammys promise star-studded roster of performers.

Canadians Drake, Bieber and Arcade Fire are all scheduled to perform. Drake will be joined by Barbadian R&B star Rihanna, while the 16-year-old Bieber will take the stage alongside Usher and “The Karate Kid” actor Jaden Smith.Other scheduled performers include Eminem, Lady Gaga, Mick Jagger, Katy Perry, Cee Lo Green, Barbra Streisand and Muse.The Grammys air at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Global.

BREAKING NEWS: MONTREAL RAPPER BAD NEWS BROWN MURDERED!

Rapper Paul Frappier, known as Bad News Brown was found dead February 11, 2011 in Montreal. (Photo Patrick St. Arnaud)

MONTREAL Rapper Paul Frappier, known as Bad News Brown, has been found dead. His body was discovered by a passerby in the southwestern part of Montreal by the Lachine Canal near abandoned buildings, police said.Police spokesman Oliver lapointe said there was evidence of violence at the scene."We do not know the motive and we have no witnesses," Lapointe said.Frappier's publicist issued a statement saying they were made aware of the artist, harmonica player and rapper's death Saturday morning."

Bad News Brown's death is a great loss for the entire hip-hop and music community in Quebec," Frappier's manager Henry Gelot said in the statement. "In addition to being one of the first rappers from Quebec to reach international acclaim, Bad News Brown has certainly left a mark on everyone who knew him."Friend Bodo Lunetz said he only had good things to say about Frappier."He was a guy with a big heart," Luentz said.He added Frappier didn't have any financial problems or known enemies.Originally from Haiti, Frappier lived with an adoptive family in Montreal until his teen years.

He played harmonica in the Metro stations before becoming a star. The bio on his Facebook page says he opened for Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, 50 Cent and Soulja Boy. He released his debut album, Born 2 Sin, last year. He is also in the latest movie from Canadian director Michel Jette called Bumrush, due out this year.Fans took to Frappier's fan page on Facebook to offer their condolences."You left a positive mark on this earth," one person wrote."Your sounds will flow for eternity," another wrote.Police said there are no suspects and the investigation continues.

Source

Montreal Gazette

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family..They said he had no enemies.

BLACK EYE PEAS AND USHER ADDED TO SUPERBOWL HALF-TIME BUT THEY ARE NOT REVEALING THE PLAYLIST.

Even the Black Eyed Peas are protecting their Super Bowl playlist. During a news conference on Thursday, the group declined to reveal the set list for their scheduled halftime appearance during Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers — but said they’re ready to give an energy-packed performance.“We want everybody to have a good time and just dance, party,” will.i.am said about the performance that’s expected to include R&B star Usher and former Guns ’N Roses guitarist Slash.

“Hopefully we will bring the heat because it’s cold as hell here in Dallas,” said Black Eyed Peas band member Taboo.The band spoke at a news conference in downtown Dallas on the third consecutive day of subfreezing temperatures during a rare cold spell that greeted the first Super Bowl week in North Texas. More

Lol...That's my girl Fergie. Fergie ain't revealing nothing!

THE JUNO AWARDS (CANADA'S MUSIC AWARDS LIST OF PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED)

KJ and Down with Webster minus Marty

CTV and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today the first round of artists confirmed to perform on CTV’s broadcast of THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS on Sunday, March 27. The exciting group of world-class performers reflect the diverse nature of Canada ’s musical landscape, spanning multiple genres from indie rock to pop. Tickets to THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS go on sale starting this Saturday, February 5 at 10am (ET).

Taking the stage to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the JUNO Awards are:

- Internationally acclaimed band, Arcade Fire (5 nominations)
- Indie rock collective, Broken Social Scene (4 nominations)
- Genre-bending band, Down With Webster (2 nominations)
- Six time platinum pop rockers, Hedley (4 nominations)
- Acclaimed multi-platinum soulful artist, Johnny Reid (4 nominations)

“Generations of Canadians have grown up with The JUNO Awards. Now 40 years later, CTV remains uniquely proud to be partnered with such a tremendous force as our beloved Canadian artists,” said Susanne Boyce , President, Creative, Content, and Channels, CTV Inc. “On March 27, CTV will present its 10th JUNO AWARDS, a broadcast spectacle befitting our incomparable music industry. We can’t wait for the magic to begin!”

“This powerhouse group of artists cross a variety of genres and will provide a once in a lifetime experience for fans,“ said Melanie Berry, President & CEO of CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusicCounts. “It’s shaping up to be a stellar sampling of Canadian musical excellence on THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS stage!”

Ticket prices for THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS are $213.75, $112.00, $62.25 (includes HST) plus additional service fees and can be purchased through Ticketmasterwww.ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 1-855-985-5000.

This year marks the tenth year in a row that THE JUNO AWARDS will air on CTV, the Official Broadcast partner of the JUNO Awards. Broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound, THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS, Canada ’s Music Awards, airs Sunday, March 27 on CTV from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto , hosted by Canadian superstar recording artist Drake. Since CTV joined forces with CARAS in 2002, The JUNO Awards have travelled across Canada , bringing a live, electrified stadium show to millions of Canadians. CTV has broadcast THE JUNO AWARDS from St. John’s (2002), Ottawa (2003), Edmonton (2004), Winnipeg (2005), Halifax (2006), Saskatoon (2007), Calgary (2008), Vancouver (2009) and back to St. John’s (2010).

Web Links:
Official JUNO Awards website: www.junoawards.ca
CTV's JUNO Awards website: www.junos.ctv.ca
CARAS website: www.carasonline.ca
CTV website: www.ctv.ca

For performers bios, please go to the artists’ official websites:

Arcade Fire: www.arcadefire.com
Broken Social Scene: www.brokensocialscene.ca
Down With Webster: www.downwithwebster.com
Hedley: www.hedleyonline.com
Johnny Reid: www.johnnyreid.com

Twitter:
@arcadefire
@bssmusic
@DOWNWITHWEBSTER
@Hedleyonline
@JohnnyReid

HERE COMES THE HISTORICAL 40TH JUNO AWARDS IN TORONTO, CANADA WITH DRAKE LEADING WITH SIX NOMINATIONS.

Toronto's TONYA Pis a Best Reggae recording nominee

The wait is over and the race is on! The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) today announced the 2011 JUNO Award nominees who will vie for the nation's highest music honour in Toronto, ON, where 40th Anniversary celebrations of the JUNO Awards will take place. Rapper Drake, who was also announced as the Host of THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS broadcast on CTV, is up for six nominations, as he and the other nominees get set for JUNO Week, March 21-27.

Winners will be declared at the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards on Saturday, March 26, as well as THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS broadcast on CTV on Sunday, March 27 at the Air Canada Centre.Tickets to THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS go on sale starting this Saturday, February 5 at 10:00 am (EST). Prices are $213.75, $112.00, $62.25 (includes HST) plus additional service fees and can be purchased through Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.ca or by phone at 1-855-985-5000. Also announced today, performers slated for Canada's biggest night in music include 2011 JUNO Award nominees Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Down With Webster, Hedley and Johnny Reid. More performers will be announced soon.

To view a complete list of 2011 JUNO Award nominees, bios and hometown information go to www.junoawards.ca.Drake has multiple opportunities to follow up his two 2010 JUNO Award wins with nominations forAlbum of the Year (sponsored by Canadian Recording Industry Association); JUNO Fan Choice(presented by Live Nation); Artist of the Year; Songwriter of the Year (sponsored by SIRIUS Satellite Radio); Rap Recording of the Year and Single of the Year for his club hit "Find Your Love."2010 certainly proved to be the year for anthems in the Single of the Year category.

Joining Drake is fellow rapper Classified with "Oh Canada;" Hedley ("Perfect"); kd lang ("Hallelujah" Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010) and Young Artists for Haiti's rerecording of K'NAAN's "Wavin' Flag."Album of the Year (sponsored by Canadian Recording Industry Association) nominees includeTHANK ME LATER (Drake); THE SHOW MUST GO (Hedley); A PLACE CALLED LOVE (Johnny Reid);MY WORLD 2.0 (Justin Bieber); and THE SUBURBS (Arcade Fire).Indie rock band Arcade Fire earned an additional four nominations including Group of the Year;Songwriter of the Year (sponsored By SIRIUS Satellite Radio); Alternative Album of the Year(sponsored by Long & McQuade) and Jack Richardson Producer of the Year (sponsored by Slaight Music). The album's art directors also received a 2011 JUNO Award nomination for Recording Package of the Year.

Receiving four JUNO Awards nominations each: Indie rock movement, Broken Social Scene[Group of the Year, Alternative Album of the Year, Video of the Year (sponsored by VEVO) andMusic DVD of the Year]; Pop-rockers Hedley [JUNO Fan Choice (presented by Live Nation);Single of the Year for "Perfect"; Album of the Year (sponsored by CRIA); Video of the Year(sponsored by VEVO)]; multi-platinum singer-songwriter Johnny Reid [JUNO Fan Choice(presented by Live Nation); Album of the Year (sponsored by CRIA); Artist of the Year; Country Album of the Year (sponsored by Country Style)]; and global pop phenom Justin Bieber [JUNO Fan Choice (presented by Live Nation); Album of the Year (sponsored by CRIA); Artist of the Year; Pop Album of the Year (sponsored by Recording Artists' Collecting Society – A Division of ACTRA)].

In celebration of the JUNO Awards 40th Anniversary, a new Electronic Album of the Year category was introduced for 2011. Artists who will make history as the first-ever nominees in this category include Caribou for his album SWIM, Chilly Gonzales (IVORY TOWERS), Crystal Castles (II),Holy Fuck (LATIN) and Poirier (RUNNING HIGH).There are 82 first-time JUNO Awards nominees in 2011. Basia Bulat, Bobby Bazini, Caribou,Hannah Georgas and Meaghan Smith share the New Artist of the Year category; while New Group of the Year nominees include: Die Mannequin, Hollerado, Misteur Valaire, My Darkest Days and Said The Whale. (Both categories are sponsored by FACTOR and Radio Starmaker Fund).

Nine-time JUNO Award winner Sarah McLachlan is nominated for three JUNO Awards this year in the categories of Artist of the Year; Songwriter of the Year (sponsored by SIRIUS Satellite Radio) and Pop Album of the Year (sponsored by Recording Artists' Collecting Society – A Division of ACTRA).Montréal rockers and 2010 Polaris Music Prize winners, Karkwa, received JUNO Award nods forAlternative Album of the Year (sponsored by Long & McQuade) and Francophone Album of the Year.Neil Young, who will be honoured with the 2011 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, is nominated for Artist of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year (sponsored by Galaxie, Your Musical Universe).

Sponsors of the 2011 JUNO Awards include FACTOR, Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters and The Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage's "Canada Music Fund," Radio Starmaker Fund, Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), The City of Toronto, Tourism Toronto, Aeroplan and funding partner Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund.Broadcast sponsors of THE 2011 JUNO AWARDS are Chevrolet, Garnier, and Rogers.

About CARAS:
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L'académie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l'enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music and recording industries and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. The main focus of CARAS is the exploration and development of opportunities to showcase and promote Canadian artists and music through vehicles such as The JUNO Awards. For more information on the 40th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' (CARAS) website please visit www.junoawards.ca or www.carasonline.ca.

About CTV:
CTV, Canada's Olympic Network, is also Canada's largest private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV is Canada's most-watched television network. CTV Inc. also owns radio stations across the country and owns or has interests in leading national specialty channels, featuring news, sports, factual, arts, entertainment, music, youth and fashion programming. Official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad, CTV Inc. is owned by CTVglobemedia Inc., Canada's premier multi-media company, which also owns Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail. More information about CTV may be found on the network's website at www.ctv.ca.

COMPLETE LIST OF THE 40TH JUNO AWARDS NOMINEES (CANADA'S MUSIC AWARDS)

The complete list of 2011 JUNO AWARDS NOMINEES:
JUNO FAN CHOICE AWARD (PRESENTED BY LIVE NATION)
Drake Cash Money*Universal
Hedley Universal
Johnny Reid Johnny Mac*EMI
Justin Bieber Island Def Jam*Universal
Michael Bublé WEA*Warner

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Oh Canada Classified HalfLife*Sony
Find Your Love Drake Cash Money*Universal
Perfect Hedley Universal
Hallelujah Vancouver Winter 2010 kd lang Nonesuch*Warner
Wavin' Flag Young Artists for Haiti Universal

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Recovery Eminem Interscope*Universal
Teenage Dream Katy Perry Capitol*EMI
Animal Ke$ha RCA*Sony
Need You Now Lady Antebellum Capitol Nashville*EMI
Speak Now Taylor Swift Big Machine/Open Road*Universal

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY CANADIAN RECORDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION)
The Suburbs Arcade Fire Sonovox*F.A.B.
Thank Me Later Drake Cash Money*Universal
The Show Must Go Hedley Universal
A Place Called Love Johnny Reid Johnny Mac*EMI
My World 2.0 Justin Bieber Island Def Jam*Universal

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Drake Cash Money*Universal
Johnny Reid Johnny Mac*EMI
Justin Bieber Island Def Jam*Universal
Neil Young Reprise*Warner
Sarah McLachlan Nettwerk*Sony

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Arcade Fire Sonovox*F.A.B.
Broken Social Scene Arts & Crafts*EMI
Down With Webster Universal Motown*Universal
Great Big Sea WEA*Warner
Three Days Grace Jive*Sony

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY FACTOR AND RADIO STARMAKER FUND)
Basia Bulat Secret City*EMI
Bobby Bazini Mungo Park* Sélect
Caribou Merge*F.A.B.
Hannah Georgas Hidden Pony*EMI
Meaghan Smith Sire/WEA*Warner

NEW GROUP OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY FACTOR AND RADIO STARMAKER FUND)
Die Mannequin WEA*Warner
Hollerado Royal Mountain*Arts & Crafts/EMI
Misteur Valaire Mr. Label*Outside/Select
My Darkest Days 604*Universal
Said The Whale Hidden Pony*EMI

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO)
Arcade Fire
"Ready To Start" | "We Used To Wait" | "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)"
THE SUBURBS – Arcade Fire Sonovox*F.A.B.*Arcade Fire Music
Drake
"Fireworks"- co-songwriter M. Samuels | "Over"- co-songwriters N. Shebib, M. Samuels, C. Kalla & A. Cook | "Show Me A Good Time"- co-songwriters K. West, J. Bhasker & E. Wilson
THANK ME LATER – Drake Cash Money*Universal*EMI Music Publishing
Hannah Georgas
"Chit Chat" | "The Deep End" – co-songwriter Robbie Driscoll | "Lovers Breakdown"
THIS IS GOOD – Hannah Georgas Hidden Pony Records*EMI*Beetle Bomb Music
Royal Wood
"Waiting" | "On Top Of Your Love" | "Tonight I Will Be Your Guide"
THE WAITING – Royal Wood MapleMusic*Universal* MapleMusic Publishing
Sarah McLachlan
"Illusions of Bliss" | "Forgiveness"- co-songwriter Pierre Marchand | "Loving You Is Easy"
LAWS OF ILLUSION – Sarah McLachlan Nettwerk*Sony*Tyde Music

COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY COUNTRY STYLE)
Love Rules Carolyn Dawn Johnson Dancing Lily/Road Angel*Universal
Trail in Life Dean Brody Open Road*Universal
Sunshine Deric Ruttan Black T*EMI
Day Job Gord Bamford Cache Ent.*Royalty
A Place Called Love Johnny Reid Johnny Mac*EMI

ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY GALAXIE, YOUR MUSICAL UNIVERSE)
Black Dub Black Dub Jive*Sony
You I Wind Land and Sea Justin Nozuka Coalition*Warner
Steel City Trawler Luke Doucet And The White Falcon Six Shooter*Warner
Le Noise Neil Young Reprise*Warner
Oh Little Fire Sarah Harmer Cold Snap*Universal


ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY LONG & MCQUADE)
The Suburbs Arcade Fire Sonovox*F.A.B.
Forgiveness Rock Record Broken Social Scene Arts & Crafts*EMI
Les chemins de verre Karkwa Audiogram*Select
Heartland Owen Pallett For Great Justice*Sonic Unyon
Champ Tokyo Police Club Dine Alone*UniversalPOP


ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY RECORDING ARTISTS' COLLECTING SOCIETY – A DIVISION OF ACTRA)
Better in Time Bobby Bazini Mungo Park* Select
Time to Win Vol. 1 Down With Webster Universal Motown*Universal
Can'T keEp A SecrEt Faber Drive 604*Universal
My World 2.0 Justin Bieber Island Def Jam*Universal
Laws of Illusion Sarah McLachlan Nettwerk*Sony

ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones Cancer Bats Distort*Universal
Fino + Bleed Die Mannequin WEA*Warner
Life Turns Electric Finger Eleven Wax/Wind-Up*Warner
Population: Declining Hail the Villain WEA*Warner
Vancouver Matthew Good Universal


VOCAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY CRYSTAL SENSATIONS)
The Beat Goes On Emilie-Claire Barlow Empress*eOne Music
Last Call Jeff Healey Stony Plain*Warner
Nina Kellylee Evans Plus Loin*SRI
Tracing Light Laila Biali Independent
Nikki Nikki Yanofsky Decca*Universal

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY WORLD VISION ARTIST ASSOCIATES)
Ricochet Adrean Farrugia Independent
Big Sky Chet Doxas Justin Time*EMI
Treelines Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra Justin Time*EMI
Next Exit Kelly Jefferson Quartet Cellar Live
Jerusalem Trilogy Matt Herskowitz Justin Time*EMI

TRADITIONAL JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Re: Visions, Works for Jazz Orchestra Earl MacDonald Death Defying
Hieronymus Félix Stüssi 5 & Ray Anderson Effendi*Select
Our First Set John MacLeod's Rex Hotel Orchestra Exquisite
Songbook Vol.2 Kirk MacDonald Quartet Addo
Drum Lore Owen Howard Brooklyn Jazz Underground*BJUR

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Spirit Dance David Braid & Canadian Brass Opening Day*Universal
Continent & Western Fond of Tigers Drip Audio*Fontana North
Room of Wonders Jayme Stone Independent*Outside
Sundogs The Creaking Tree String Quartet Independent*Outside
Rising Sun The Souljazz Orchestra Strut*RED

FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Brun Bernard Adamus Grosse Boîte*Select
Nous Daniel Bélanger Audiogram*Select
Silence Fred Pellerin Disques Tempête*DEP
Les chemins de verre Karkwa Audiogram*Select
Belmundo Regal Radio Radio Bonsound* Select

CHILDREN'S ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Encore Gregg LeRock Grafton
The Little Blue Doggy Michelle Campagne The Secret Mountain*Universal
Proud Like a Mountain Peter Lenton Two Heartbeats
Number 3 The Kerplunks Independent*Pacific Music/Warner
Power to the Little People The Monkey Bunch Tri-Pop*Fire The ImaginationCLASSICAL


ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO OR CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
Armenian Chamber Music Amici Ensemble ATMA*Naxos
Anton Kuerti : Schumann Anton Kuerti DOREMI*Allegro
Beethoven : Piano Trios Op. 70 No. 1, Ghost & No. 2: Op 11 Gryphon Trio Analekta* Select
Marc-André Hamelin- Études Marc-André Hamelin Hyperion*SRI
Bach : Six Suites for Solo Cello Winona Zelenka Marquis

CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LARGE ENSEMBLE OR SOLOIST(S) WITH LARGE ENSEMBLE ACCOMPANIMENT
Arvo Pärt : Portrait Angèle Dubeau & La Pietà Analekta* Select
James Ehnes, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto James Ehnes Onyx*SRI
Chopin Piano Concertos Janina Fialkowska and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra under Bramwell Tovey ATMA*Naxos
Mozart: Scott and Lara St. John/The Knights Lara St. John Ancalagon*Allegro
Bonbons Les Violons du Roy under Bernard Labadie ATMA*Naxos


CLASSICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: VOCAL OR CHORAL PERFORMANCE
Salsa baroque Ensemble Caprice Analekta* Select
Great Operatic Arias Gerald Finley Hyperion*SRI
Britten - Les Illuminations Karina Gauvin ATMA*Naxos
Night and Dreams Measha Brueggergosman Deutsche Grammophon*Universal
Into Light musica intima ATMA*Naxos


CLASSICAL COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR
Last Dance Clark Ross PIANO ATLANTICA Centrediscs*CMC
Exaudi Jocelyn Morlock INTO LIGHT ATMA*Naxos
Piano Concerto Larysa Kuzmenko 3 CONCERTI Centrediscs*CMC
Quomodo Sedet Sola Civita (How doth the city sit solitary) Peter-Anthony TogniLEMENTATIO JEREMIAE PROPHETAE ECM*Universal
Duo For Violin And Piano R. Murray Schafer WILD BIRD Centrediscs*CMC

RAP RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Thank Me Later Drake Cash Money*Universal
Vaudeville D-Sisive URBNET* Fontana North
At Last Eternia & MoSS Fat Beats*eOne
Treat of the Day Ghettosocks Droppin' Science*Independent
TSOL Shad Black Box*Fontana North

DANCE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Business Casual Chromeo Last Gang*Universal
Sofi Needs a Ladder Deadmau5 Ultra*EMI
Fixin' To Thrill Dragonette Universal
Table Dancer Keshia Chanté Tanjola*Univeral
Stereo Love Mia Martina & Edward Maya CP*EMI

R&B/SOUL RECORDING OF THE YEAR
Nightlife Karl Wolf Lone Wolf*EMI
Test Drive Keshia Chanté Tanjola*Universal
Stars Quanteisha Benjamin Tanjola*Independent
So Much Raghav ft. Kardinal Offishall Cordova Bay*Fontana North
Come True SILVER (aka Solitair) ft. Kardinal Offishall Independent

REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
System Shakedown Dubmatix Renegade Rocker* Fontana North/Universal
Likkle But Mi Tallawah Elaine Lil'Bit Shepherd D'Maestro Music*Independent
Brighter Days Lyndon John X (LJX) Independent
Million Chance Tony Anthony Phylan*Sound Quake
Don't Wanna Go Tonya P Independent

ABORIGINAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY ABORIGINAL PEOPLES TELEVISION NETWORK)
CerAmony CerAmony Independent
Derek Miller with Double Trouble Derek Miller Independent
The Great Unknown Eagle & Hawk Rising Sun
The Black Star Joey Stylez Stressed Street*Fontana North/Universal
Vigilance Little Hawk Ojiji

ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SOLO
Love Songs for the Last Twenty Del Barber Independent
The Early Widows Justin Rutledge Six Shooter*Warner
Fall For Beauty Lynn Miles High Romance*True North
My Hands Are On Fire and Other Love Songs Old Man Luedecke Black Hen*Fontana North
The Garden Ruth Moody Red House*Outside


ROOTS & TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: GROUP
City City Chic Gamine Independent*Select
Girls from the North Country- Dala Live in Concert Dala Campus*Universal
La part du feu Le Vent du Nord Borealis*Universal
Sundogs The Creaking Tree String Quartet Independent*Outside
That's the State I'm In The Marigolds Independent*Outside

BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Where's The Blues Taking Me FATHEAD Electro-Fi*Outside
Bread And Buddha Harry Manx Dog My Cat*SRI
Everywhere West Jim Byrnes Black Hen*Fontana North
It's A Long Road The Johnny Max Band Pour Soul*Independent
The Sojourners The Sojourners Black Hen*Fontana North

CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN/GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Clarity Article One Independent*David C. Cook
Love & the Lack Thereof Greg Sczebel Soultone*Fontana North
The Chase Manafest Manafest*Fontana North
Newworldson Newworldson InPop* David C. Cook/EMI
The Saving One Starfield Sparrow*David C. Cook/EMI

WORLD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS)
Aksil Élage Diouf Tacca*Unidisc
The Rumba Foundation Jesse Cook Coach House*EMI
Gakondo Mighty Popo Tamba*Independent
Supermagique Pacifika Six Degrees*Universal
Soy Panamericano Roberto López Project Curura*Select

JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY SLAIGHT MUSIC)
Arcade Fire (co-producer Markus Dravs) "Ready To Start" | "We Used To Wait – THE SUBURBS –Arcade Fire Sonovox*F.A.B.
Brian Howes "Cha-Ching" | "Perfect" – THE SHOW MUST GO – Hedley Universal
Daniel Lanois "Hitchhiker" LE NOISE -Neil Young Reprise*Warner | "I Believe in You" BLACK DUB –Black Dub Jive*Sony
David Foster "Bring Me To Life" BELIEVE- Katherine Jenkins Warner Bros. UK*Warner| "Secret" COMMITMENT – Seal Reprise/143*Warner
Gavin Brown & Sarah Harmer "Captive" | "New Loneliness" OH LITTLE FIRE – Sarah HarmerCold Snap*Universal

RECORDING ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
David Travers-Smith "Cold Outside" THE GARDEN-Ruth Moody Red House*Outside| "Vinicius" ROOM OF WONDERS – Jayme Stone Independent*Outside
Jeff Wolpert "On A Bright May Morning" THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY – Loreena McKennitt Quinlan Road*Universal | "Midnight Train to Georgia" SOUL BALLADS – David Clayton-Thomas Antoinette*Universal
Kevin Churko "Let It Die" | "Life Won't Wait" SCREAM – Ozzy Osbourne Epic*Sony
Lenny De Rose "Captive" | "Late Bloomers" OH LITTLE FIRE – Sarah Harmer Cold Snap*Universal
Mike Plotnikoff "What Do You Got?" GREATEST HITS: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION – Bon JoviIsland*Universal | "Break" LIFE STARTS NOW – Three Days Grace Jive*Sony


RECORDING PACKAGE OF THE YEAR
Corri-Lynn Tetz (Art Director) Cloak and Cipher LAND OF TALK Land of Talk*Secret City/EMI
Graeme Patterson (Art Director) New Inheritors WINTERSLEEP EMI
James Mejia (Art Director/Designer/Illustrator) Mutant Message BY DIVINE RIGHT Hand Drawn Dracula*Outside
Justin Peroff, Robyn Kotyk & Joe McKay (Art Directors/Designers); Jimmy Collins & Elisabeth Chicoine (Photographers)
Forgiveness Rock Record Vinyl Box Set BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE Arts & Crafts*EMI
Vincent Morisset (Art Director) Caroline Robert (Designer); Gabriel Jones (Photographer)
The Suburbs ARCADE FIRE Sonovox*F.A.B.

VIDEO OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY VEVO)
Perfect Kyle Davison HEDLEY Universal
Saint Veronika Michael Maxxis BILLY TALENT WEA*Warner
Chargez! Benjamin Lussier ARIEL Tacca*Unidisc
Collect Call Christopher Mills METRIC Last Gang*Universal
Forced to Love Adam Makarenko & Alan Poon (Makapoon) BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE Arts & Crafts*EMIMUSIC DVD OF THE YEAR
Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage Scot McFadyen, Sam Dunn, Pegi Cecconi, Noah Segal, Shelley Nott, John Virant RUSH Alliance
This Movie is Broken Bruce McDonald Dany M. Chiasson, Niv Fichman, Noah Segal, Amy Paquette BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE Shadow Shows/Rhombus Media/Arts & Crafts*Alliance
The Lost Tapes Christopher Mills Nick Blasko, Geoff McLean, Christopher Mills BUCK 65WEA*Warner
Céline-Tournée Mondiale Taking Chances Le Spectacle Jean Lamoureux, Julie Snyder CÉLINE DION Columbia*Sony
The Virtual Haydn Jeremy Tusz, Tom Beghin, Martha De Francisco, Wieslaw Woszczyk TOM BEGHIN Naxos


ELECTRONIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Swim Caribou Merge*F.A.B.
Ivory Towers Chilly Gonzales Arts & Crafts*EMI
Crystal Castles (II) Crystal Castles Last Gang*Universal
Latin Holy Fuck Lights Music*Universal
Running High Poirier Ninja Tune*Outside

BLOOD RAW IS NO LONGER APART OF CTE/USDA - NEW FEB 2011 - (VIDEO)

Corporate Thugz Entertainment is a record Label founded by rapper Young Jeezy and his childhood friend Kinky B in 1998.In 2007 Young Jeezy formed the rap group USDA and signed Blood Raw, Slick Pulla, 211, JW and Boo Rossini to his Corporate Thugz Family. Feb 3, 2011 Blood Raw Tells Futuristic Blogger he's no Longer Apart Of CTE/USDA and it Took 13-14 Months to To Get Out His Contract Saying " It Was The Worst Thing I Went Through In a Long Time! "

Really! Shyt happens in this music biz! Special Thanks to my bro Futuristic Blogger at HHN24-7

L'IL WAYNE BLAST STEELERS IN NEW TRACK "GREEN AND YELLOW."

We 'gon toast these niggas like pop tarts??? OMG! Then there's the Groundhog in Paunxutawney Phil who also predicted an early spring and a Steelers win.

VIDEOS YOU MUST SEE: WE ASKED KJ'S PAL GREYSON CHANCE IF HE KNEW MARY ROSE OBSESSION AND HE'S NOT INTO HIP-HOP.

LOL...OK, leave the kid alone. So, he does not like hip-hop, he loves Rock Music...Greyson, on that MяO™ one, look my boys up would ya? It may be a collabo some day. Toronto's #1 rock band is Mary Rose Obsession and that's a known at HipHossip. AMEN. Since all the babysitters quit and Nicki Minaj is not available, KJ is heading with me to Hard Rock cafe next Wednesday Feb 9th 2011 at 7pm to see the boys at the Battle of the Bands show in the downtown Toronto Hard Rock Cafe. BE THERE!

We met Greyson at WeDay 2010 in Toronto. Awesome kid. He plays that piano just like me. Between me, Greyson, Lady Gaga, Rapper Flava Flav and Tanya Kim of E-Talk, I don't even know who is the BEST classical pianist now? They are all trained classical pianist. I am not. I just sat in front of it at 3 years old. lol.

Mary Rose Obsession Website: http://www.maryroseobsession.com
Greyson Chance Website: http://www.greyson-official.com

BREAKING NEWS AS WE SEE IT: THE WHITE STRIPES ARE NO MORE.

Photo: Mark Binch/Reuters

AS POSTED ON THEIR SITE:
The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011,
their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.

The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any
health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health.

It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about
the band and have it stay that way.

Meg and Jack want to thank every one of their fans and admirers for the incredible
support they have given throughout the 13 plus years of the White Stripes’ intense and
incredible career.

Third Man Records will continue to put out unreleased live and studio recordings from
The White Stripes in their Vault Subscription record club, as well as through regular
channels.

Both Meg and Jack hope this decision isn’t met with sorrow by their fans but that it is
seen as a positive move done out of respect for the art and music that the band has
created. It is also done with the utmost respect to those fans who’ve shared in those
creations, with their feelings considered greatly.

With that in mind the band have this to say:

“The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong
to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is
that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your
involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Sincerely,
Meg and Jack White
The White Stripes