If you’re an avid mainstream pop or rhythmic radio listener, it’s likely you’ve recently heard Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Can’s Hold Us” (featuring Ray Dalton) and “Thrift Shop” (featuring Wanz) within the same hour.  Then, if you go over to the iTunes singles chart, both efforts can be seen in the top twenty with the former holding the top spot for the past two consecutive days.  Even more impressive is the fact that “Can’t Hold Us” and “Thrift Shop” occupy two spots in the top three of Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart (a feat last achieved by Rihanna in late 2010).  The parent album of these songs, The Heist, re-entered the top ten of Billboard’s 200 albums chart this week (28 weeks after its debut) and adds to the above reasons we’ve chosen it for our Album Spotlight.

With this being the duo’s debut effort in which they produced, recorded and released themselves (Macklemore LLC), the overall success of it is a testament to other artists who desire to be in total control of their art’s handling.  It should also be noted that “Thrift Shop” is actually the fifth single from The Heist with the second single “Can’t Hold Us” being re-released after its overwheming hit run.  The fruits of this stategy prove that it was worth it to keep churning out singles after the first one (“My Oh My”) was debuted in December 2010.  Among the many standout tracks on the album, “Jimmy Iovine” (featuring Ab-Soul) highlights the group’s philosophy on why they’ve chosen to do things independently (“Along with a third of the money you make when you’re out doing your shows/Manager gets 20, booking agent gets 10/So shit, after taxes you and Ryan have 7% to split”). After hearing their response to what is presented as the best offer they’re gonna get, you can’t help but smile at the recent unfolding of events (“I replied I appreciate the offer, thought that this is what I wanted/Rather be a starving artist than succeed at getting fucked”).

Are you digging The Heist as much as we are? Write us on Twitter @dBRYJmusic or leave a comment below =)

Posted by Brian Buchana (@dynasty86)
Powered by Dynasty Music Entertainment [DME]

The Hit Music Academy | 2013

Music business tweets @dBRYJmusic

:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

RECORD OF THE YEAR

First of all, it’s hard for me to believe the three best selling records of the year won’t be included here: “Somebody That I Used to Know” (Gotye featuring Kimbra), “Call Me Maybe” (Carly Rae Jepsen) and “We Are Young” (fun. featuring Janelle Monáe).  All three of these songs spent multiple weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart as well as mainstream pop radio.  Following the trend of chart domination from breakout artists, “Ho Hey” by the Lumineers is a sleeper hit that is peaking at the right time (currently top 5 on the iTunes singles chart).  That leaves one spot to be filled which I believe will be taken by “Payphone” (Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa).  This category has always embraced hit collaborations and the three-time Grammy winning group has yet to receive this allusive nod.

Final Predix:

fun. featuring Janelle Monáe, “We Are Young”

Gotye featuring Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used to Know”

Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”

The Lumineers, “Ho Hey”

Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa, “Payphone”

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

For the most part, this category has traditionally included works representing all musical genres that were either commercially successful or critically-acclaimed (often times both).  One album that was loved by the general public and music critics was Drake’s Take Care, garnering the Canadian-born rapper/singer his second consecutive number one album on Billboard and the best reviews of his career.  Another artist with overwhelming chart/critical praise recently is P!nk who has yet to be recognized here after 10+ years in the business.  Her latest, The Truth About Love, should be fresh on voters’ minds since it was released later in the eligibility period.  Along with P!nk, Maroon 5 is enjoying an artistic peak with love from both radio and music buyers.  Similar to ROTY, the Best New Artist alumni haven’t been listed here for previous efforts but their current smash, Overexposed, should do the trick.  The last two slots will probably go to Mumford & Sons’ Babel and Frank Ocean’s channel ORANGE.  The former opened with the best first-week sales of the year at the time of its release (600K copies) while the latter is one of most promising debut efforts from a new artist in quite some time.

Final Predix:

Drake, Take Care

Maroon 5, Overexposed

Mumford & Sons, Babel

Frank Ocean, channel ORANGE

P!nk, The Truth About Love

SONG OF THE YEAR

Similar to the AOTY, this category often recognizes material covering a range of musical formats.  Likewise, there is usually a correlation between singles that make it both here and in ROTY.  Out of all my predix for ROTY, the two songs that appear to be most plausible for this lineup as well are “Call Me Maybe” and “We Are Young”.  For an award that honors lyrics and the overall composition of a song, both of these hits represent what has often been included here in the past.  With its recent Song of the Year win at the Country Music Association (CMA) awards, I expect “Over You” (written by Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert) to be the lone country nominee.  As the standout track (both musically and lyrically) from Drake’s monster sophomore album, “Take Care” should receive similar treatment of previous rap songs like “Love the Way You Lie” (Eminem f. Rihanna) and “All of the Lights” (Kanye West f. Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie).  That leaves Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ ‘Bout You” to round out the list which falls in line with well-written R&B, love songs that can be traced here in the past.

Final Predix:

“Call Me Maybe,” Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen & Josh Ramsay (Carly Rae Jepsen)

“Over You,” Miranda Lambert & Blake Shelton (Miranda Lambert)

“Take Care,” Brook Benton, Aubrey Graham, Anthony Palman, Noah Shebib & Jamie Smith (Drake featuring Rihanna)

“Thinkin’ ‘Bout You,” Christopher Breaux & Shea Taylor (Frank Ocean)

“We Are Young,” Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess (fun. featuring Janelle Monáe)

BEST NEW ARTIST

Historically, this category has been dominated by females in terms of nominees and winners.  Nonetheless, my gut is telling me that this year’s crop of contenders will be pretty male heavy.  Three artists that are considered to be near locks for bids in this derby are indie pop outfit fun., alt. rocker Gotye and R&B singer/songwriter Frank Ocean.  Although they are rooted in the indie music scene, fun. and Gotye ruled mainstream pop radio this past year and became fixtures on the Billboard 200 albums chart.  With more press coverage than probably any other newbie, Ocean amazed audiences with high-profile gigs at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) and Saturday Night Live (with help from John Mayer on guitar).  Representing country and folk rock, the last two slots are likely to be filled by Hunter Hayes and the Lumineers.  Both acts have the advantage of having smash singles peaking at the same time NARAS members are compiling nominations (“Wanted” and “Ho Hey” respectfully).  Also, the former recently took Best New Artist honors at the CMAs and will be appearing at the Nomination Special alongside fun.

Final Predix:

fun.

Gotye

Hunter Hayes

The Lumineers

Frank Ocean

How do you feel about our GRAMMY predictions? Write us on Twitter @dBRYJmusic or leave a comment below =)

Posted by Brian Buchana.
Powered by Dynasty Music Entertainment [DME]

The Hit Music Academy | 2012

Music business tweets @dBRYJmusic

:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

How Do Indie Artists Stay Relevant While Creating New Music?

http://www.americansongwriter.com/2012/09/how-does-an-independent-artist-stay-relevant-while-creating-new-music/

article via American Songwriter^^^

The Hit Music Academy | 2012
:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

Money money money BAGGGGG$$$$$$

Repetitive as fuck but you can’t deny Rick Ross swagggg man. Birdman however, is quite useless. But does it matter? No. The beat ridin and the hook sticks to you regardless.

The Hit Music Academy | 2012
:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

One of my favorite Wiz records. #classic shit

The Hit Music Academy | 2012
:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

The Hit Music Academy | 2012
:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

One hit wonders no more??

I want to know what yall think about this >>>>>

http://www.newrockstarphilosophy.com/2012/09/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-one-hit-wonder-anymore-internet/

Is it true that there’s no such thing as a one hit wonder anymore? Has the internet eliminated the one hit wonder phenomenon? Or, as the author suggests, has the internet simply made it possible for artists to capitalize on the success of a big hit and establish a long-term career with more moderate hits?

Read the article and let me know what you think >>>>

http://www.newrockstarphilosophy.com/2012/09/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-one-hit-wonder-anymore-internet/

The Hit Music Academy | 2012
:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

The Hit Music Academy | 2012
:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

This song is so fucking addictive. And Taylor Swift is definitely POP now.

The Hit Music Academy | 2012
:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::

I got life in the trunk
30 $tack$ in my pocket
Choppa in the backseat
My young nigga gone *POP IT* >>>>  BANG*BANG

Salute Me Or Shoot Me 4 go hard son >>>>>

The Hit Music Academy | 2012
:: twitterfeed @hitmusicacademy ::