Last night’s Grammy Awards ceremony was possibly the most awkward product to come out of the music industry since, well, last year’s terrible John Mayer “Jolene” tribute at the Grammys. The inevitable red-carpet polling about Whitney Houston’s death ranged from cringe-worthy to outright ghoulish, and the range of impromptu supergroups was baffling, disturbing, and eccentric, to say the least. From Bon Iver’s mumbled acceptance speech to Brian Wilson’s never-wished-for collaboration with Maroon 5 and Foster the People, the whole night was full of moments that made music lovers scratch our heads and wonder whether the entire show had been pasted together from various YouTube mash-ups. And yet, we could have probably guessed that this ceremony would be bizarre as soon as we glimpsed Nicki Minaj on the red carpet with a fake pope. We count down the weirdest moments of the 2012 Grammys, after the jump.
12. Skrillex wins before the telecast even starts: While the celebrities were still pouring from limo to red carpet to seat, EDM producer Skrillex cleaned up, winning for Best Dance Recording, Best Dance/Electronica Album, and Best Remixed Recording. The side-mulleted DJ delivered a series of meandering speeches and managed to wander in the wrong direction onstage. Plus, Deadmau5 wore a shirt with Skrillex’s phone number written on it above the message “u mad bro?”
11. Gaga is barely there: After last year’s over-the-top space-egg entrance, we were hoping for some Gaga antics in our lives. Parachute drop? Fired out of a cannon? Update to the meat dress made of live chickens? But this year, Lady Gaga was missing from the stage and red carpet, visible only when the camera cut to her awkwardly shimmying to the Glen Campbell tribute. And hey, the net-veil-over-the-face-plus-scepter look was positively demure by Gaga standards. What could be happening at the Haus of Gaga?
10. Victor Cruz’s salsa: The Giants have many virtues, but they’re about as far away from the music industry as you can get. What were Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz even doing at the Grammys? It was a little awkward until Cruz demonstrated his salsa dance, and then it got seriously weird, coupled with Manningham’s unbelievably flat delivery of the teleprompter lines. I mean, was Christina Aguilera really that busy?
9. Adele has “Lil Bit of Snot”: This year’s Grammys were Adele’s without question, and she managed to make her way through two award acceptances and a house-burner of a performance without breaking down. But when 21 won Album of the Year, the British songstress broke down. It had to be the first time in television history that an award recipient apologized for “a little bit of snot.” But yeah, that and her pronunciation of “thank” as “fank” leaned more towards adorable than upsetting.
8. McCartney, Grohl, and Springsteen: Somewhere deep in the Recording Academy’s lair, there must have been a dude who decided that double — no, triple! — the appearances from the Grammys’ favored ones would make the show extra-special. Springsteen’s opening number killed it, McCartney’s Valentine’s Day tribute was a little lounge singer-y, and Dave Grohl had already played twice that night with the Foo Fighters. But did that stop the three from combining to play Beatles covers at the end of the night? No. It was one of the weirdest supergroups since Gogmagog, made still more insane by LL Cool J’s introduction of the outro performance by his “homie,” Sir Paul McCartney.
7. The Foo Fighters’ “Indie Cred”: The always-bubbly, vaguely alt-rock Jack Black introduced round one of the Dave Grohl festival, explaining that the group was performing outside of the Staples Center instead of on the Grammys main stage in order to preserve their “indie cred.” Which, yes, since when did the Fighters have anything resembling indie cred? And since Bon Iver consented to enter the arena, if not actually play, did that damage his reputation somehow? Unlikely.
6. Brian Wilson, Maroon 5, and Foster the People: In a supergroup vocal combination that exactly no one was demanding, the reunited Beach Boys, featuring a predictably zoned-out Brian Wilson and a weird, bespangled Mike Love, performed alongside both Maroon 5 and Foster the People. Maroon 5 were bad enough — Adam Levine’s high notes veered just short of painful — but poor Mark Foster was so nervous, he looked like he was about to barf all over the theremin in the middle of his set.
5. Bruno Mars: Well, I think it’s safe to say that no one has introduced a doo-wop number at the Grammys before by yelling, “Get off your rich asses!” Touché, Mr. Mars.
4. The Foo Fighters, Deadmau5, David Guetta, Chris Brown (again), and Lil Wayne: The night was undoubtedly haunted by the recent death of Whitney Houston, but the rest of the montage of performers lost in the past year was equally affecting. Except, who forgot Don Cornelius? Oh, never fear. Questlove is here to shout-out to the Soul Train impresario. And how will we pay him tribute? By crapping together one of the most ill-conceived song mash-ups imaginable, featuring a move from Lil Wayne, David Guetta, and (ugh) Chris Brown in a pit full of glow sticks over to Deadmau5, and finally to Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters (who else?). James Brown just turned over in his grave.
3. Bon Iver’s acceptance speech: Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood introduce the Best New Artist Award with a slick showpiece duet of “It Had to Be You,” one of those glossy, razzle-dazzle Grammy moments that the Academy pimps endlessly the following year. And then Bon Iver wins the award and arrives onstage looking like a high-school English teacher who just barely managed to find shoes dressy enough for the occasion, and then delivers a speech that begins with “um” and pretty much encapsulates the essence of discomfort. Tony Bennett looks mildly insulted, and countless J. Cole fans take to Twitter to demand, “Who the fuck is Bonnie Bear?”
2. Nick Minaj goes Exorcist: Nicki Minaj took two parts Gaga, one part Madonna, and one part Dan Brown-style conspiracy theory, mixed it, and turned it into a performance that was barely comprehensible. There was a reference to The Exorcist and then, suddenly, fake popes and a chorus of monks singing bits of “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and what looked like a levitation. Safe to say that she stole the “least explicable, most elaborate” song award away from Katy Perry.
1. Chris Brown’s award and Taylor Swift’s “Mean”: Chris Brown’s inclusion in the Grammys was many bad things, but the least comfortable moment of the night had to be when Brown accepted the R&B album and then Taylor Swift quickly launched into a rendition of her song “Mean.” We only hope it was aimed squarely at him.
Comments (22)
Margret get over yourslef and this whole Chris Brown thing. its done its over leave it in the pass…its idiots like you that dont allow people to get on with there lives. Hes a very talanted artis/preformer who got what he deserved! Apparently so did Ri Ri..but no, no one never bothers to cover what happen before/why she got her ass whopped.
“overit”, you’re wrong in so many ways, but firstly: *yourself, *past, *their, *talented, *artist, *performer *ever, *happened, *whooped.
He beat a woman up. That defines him as a person, permanently.
Don’t go calling people ‘idiots’ when you can’t even spell “past” right.. You are the unintelligent person in this conversation, and a prime example of what a “Chris Brown” fan is: unaware.
Let me see if I can translate the previous post. Margaret, (comma) get over YOURSELF and this Chris Brown thing. I(cap)t’(apostrophe)s over, (comma) leave it in the PAST. It’(apostrophe)s idiots like you that don’(apostrophe)t allow people to get on with THEIR lives. He’(apostrophe)s a very talented artisT/PERformer who got what he deserved. Apparently, (comma) so did RiRi. B(cap)ut no, no one EVER bothers to cover what happenED before/(?) why she got her ass WHOOPED. Go back to school and git yorself edumicated.
Awkward, yes! So on point. I thought that Bruno Mars moment and Victor Cruz’ salsa were cute! At least they were much cuter than Adele pulling multiple Taylor Swifts (and I actually really like Adele).
I would have included the Rihanna/Coldplay performance. Between that awful Rihanna song that seemed to have only 1 line and Coldplay’s tepid stage presence coupled with Chris Martin’s terrible singing, I was almost forced to leave the room. Also, I loved Whitney but praying at the top of the show?
But I must call shenanigans on your #1. I’m by no means a Chris Brown fan but I do cringe at criticism that seems to be about “everything else” but his actual skills–he’s a solid (though not great) musician and performer. If his past misdeeds are what leaves a bad taste then just say that, otherwise I’d rather hear about why his album/performance weren’t up to par. I understand why people don’t support him–I feel similarly about R. Kelly. But as foolish as Brown is, I’ve long been able to separate him as an artist from the crime (wasn’t there a post on Flavorwire about this very issue a while back?). And if we want to quibble about repeat stage performances, can we please address the umpteen times I had to sit through the Foo Fighters?
One more awkward moment: Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean sound shenanigans. They were cute about it at least.
At last,a music awards show that actually had good old core-hitting music. No clutching,grabbing or butty wagging,no endless
garbled “rapping”noise,just enjoyment that you weren’t embarassed
to watch with family. The tributes to Whitney were classy and except for Nicki Menaj,the whole thing was 299% over the graphic
Music awards show.
Numer 8. I may be slightly partial since I’m a fan of all those artists – especially McCartney – but I really liked that performance. And how do you not include Joe Walsh in your article. He was up there too. If you didn’t notice or don’t know who Joe Walsh is you have no business writing about music.
Nicki Minaj, stop trying so hard. Your performance was an illuminati bore. Boooooo!
So, your list is kind of upside down or out of order…
12. Yes, agreed… a little odd, but not atypical for people to win awards off screen.
11. I actually just think she was trying to be a little more respectful of things.
10. Yup, just odd.
9. That’s just funny, not awkward.
8. See, this is where we drift… who cares how much they all played, this was bad ass! Some of the better guitar players in rock playing on Carry That Weight? It was effing amazing.
7. Hate to break it to you, but before they were selling out arenas, they were an indie/alt band that was trying to get attention like anyone else.
6. One, this just points out the lack of talent of Maroon 5 when they don’t have the studio to help. Two, Foster the People frickin nailed this performance, and the Beach Boys are just the Beach Boys… warts and all, still pulled off better harmonies than half the groups that night.
5. Yeah, not as awkward as him losing his shit on camera when he didn’t win one of his categories.
4. Eh, I thought it was kind of fun… that remix of the Foo’s song was a bonus track on their last album and it’s growing on me.
3. This was just pure Indie gold… nice to see a little truth on stage.
2. Yeah, odd, but she’s going to do that. I can tell that she’s already going to give Gaga a run for her money.
1. Yeah, the Grammy’s just aren’t that clever. Unlike that first ass that responded about Brown, I know you’ll never forgive and forget on this cat, but he did serve his time and hopefully learned his lesson. That said, I’m almost at a “too soon” kind of phase with him… I know he’s got plenty of music to give, but maybe tone it down a bit, work some clubs, etc. before coming back. Frankly, I can just imagine the logistics that had to happen because he and Rianna were in the same theater… had to be some restraining order violations happening that night.
When you start bringing religious imagery into your performances, it downright creepy you are basically mocking God so Nicki gets a thumbs down for that and a terrible performance overall.
Missed Lady Gaga as she is the real thing to me – Nicki was ridiculous and who is Bonnie Bear really. Adele ok get it…and Paul we all love….the tributes missed people of merit and it was awkward. AND Whitney what can we say except tragic, but her voice will always move us to smiles and tears…. PEACE!
Did no one notice the blaring absence of Etta James from past years deaths? Pretty sure she passed this past year…My theory is that she was bumped for Whitney…thus Bonnie Raitt’s not too happy expression…How could you leave out Etta????
Not really giving a crap about the Grammys (didn’t watch it), nor giving one about most music mentioned in this post, I find it humorous that whilst Bon Iver lead guy (I forget his name) comes off all “I only do music for music’s sake” or some faux-humble prattle (according to a NY Times article), The ads plastered on this current page are – ! – Bon Iver in a sponsorship deal with Bushmills. Proof that “indie” was, is, and always will be, marketing tool. Get used to it. Credibility = Sales, and nothing more.
I loved the show except for that weird Minaj number. The performances were spectacular except the Beatles tribute. But Tony Bennett spectacular? Um, he could barely sing and got the wrong words. Plus how about McCartney raising his arm to show underarm stain? THAT was the most awkward moment after Tony Bennett and Katy Perry’s strange halt of the first part of her performance — after which she rocked vocally. Didn’t know she had it in her.
That wasn’t a Theremin in Good Vibrations. The BBs used a Tannerin on the original recording and at the Grammy’s last night.
This is hilarious Margaret. Everyone seems into voice enhanced singing (except Adele…way to go Adele…no gimmicks, antics or costumes…just be yourself). Foo Fighters for best heavy metal/rock category (yikes…hardly heavy metal).
Shut yo mouth with that first line, girl!!! A few months later he needed throat surgery. Be nice, now.
“Which, yes, since when did the Fighters have anything resembling indie cred?”
Just a guess, but I’d say since before Ms. Eby graduated from elementary school.
So Chris Brown can never win an award again? No repentence and forgivness? Many many many other “stars” have done far worse.
I beg to differ… Maroon 5 are always on point and superb. I have seen them in concert numerous times and they rock the house… No studio required. Adam Levine’s voice is fantastic in both range and pitch. All around an extremely talented band. But don’t believe me… Take it from the millions of fans that they have and who support them! If anything, Adam was attempting to stifle his voice so he would not drown out Mr. Beach Boy. Also, no singer ever sounds as perfect in public as they would in a studio…. NO SINGER.
Question: “So Chris Brown can never win an award again?” Answer: Not without being reminded. Award: check. Girl-hitter: check.
I thought the Grammys were pretty good this year, even better than the year I attended in person. But yeah, where was Lady Gaga (I mean, they should have had her perform) and LMFAO? And Justin Bieber?
And that exorcism thing with Nicki Minaj was just BIZARRe!!!
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