'Chris Brown Bought Grammy'

[d.t.m]

Hmmmm...sounds rather familiar...

I knew something was up, R Kelly and Ledisi were favored in Grammy circles to take the R&B album Grammy when nominations were announced. That also explains why he was able to perform not once, but twice that night.

Chris Brown Bought His Grammy

The rule is generally known as, “Three strikes, you’re out,” but it seems that for R&B/pop star Chris Brown, just one will elevate him to fields beyond what he was originally capable of in the first place. The Virginia-born singer, 23, seems to have had relatively close ties with Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich, who defended the annual music ceremony’s backing of Brown on “CBS This Morning” An insider of Brown’s, whose name is being hidden for legal and security purposes, has forwarded e-mails sent between Brown and Ehrlich to Neil Portnow, President of The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

In the e-mails, Ehrlich was “practically begged” to secure a Grammy for the star with much of the public’s disdain for a “substantial amount of money,” which was not disclosed by the insider. “Ehrlich was subsequently terminated, after many years of being involved with deliberating which of the past decades’ talents were worthy.” Portnow released a statement after firing Ehrlich for his indiscretion and violation of the Academy’s ethics and integrity in rewarding talent. “With almost ten years of being President for The Academy, I would have never predicted that this would happen. My lack of blessing for Chris’ nomination was known, but as I’ve always respected by colleagues’ insights, I mustered all I could not to fight it so much. I have worked alongside Ken for years now, and I am heavily disappointed, and will have to raise the conduct around this board. will see to it that nothing of this caliber of humiliation will happen again.”

Brown’s publicist and Ehrlich have released no comments after multiple endeavors of contact.

jams.to/2012/05/22/chris-brown-bought-his-grammy.html

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

Is this common, or commonly known? If it's true, it could really hurt a lot of reputations and integrity.

[d.t.m]

Max, this IS common amongst several artists/labels employing similar backdoor deals which I will not name. I know in the R&B circles at the organization Chris' name was not brought up a lot for the win and then when I found he was performing twice it seem to come from nowhere. The Grammys worked hard to salvage their reputation with the big nomination rehaul this year and this will undoubtedly set them back.

[jgizzle89]

Honestly, it does seem wrong that he PAID the man to GIVE him the Grammy, but the fact that there were higher-ups who refused to nominate Chris is ridiculous. He had one of the biggest R & B albums of the year, it was a huge comeback for him, and the album was generally well-received. And let's not kid ourselves, it's not like the Grammy's doesn't play politics. How else can you explain so many garbage albums getting nominated (historically) while so many greats either get no nominations or subsequently lose?

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I think the reason why someone chooses to vote for or against a particular song or album is their own business and since there are 20,000 or so actual voters, that's enough to filter anyway, but the fact that those people's votes were over-rided because someone PAID for a Grammy is what's ridiculous, if it's true.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

May 23, 2012 18:26:56 GMT -5 d.t.m said:

Max, this IS common amongst several artists/labels employing similar backdoor deals which I will not name.

I had no idea. Maybe it's naive of me because I tend to think that the outrage alone, should they be found out, would be enough to ruin them. Maybe it's not that big a deal if it's so accepted.
If not, why wouldn't you name them? Not enough evidence, protection, or fear of slander? I think things like this should be brought out in the open.

[d.t.m]

I understand what you're saying, but I've really said more than I should regarding this matter previously. Not to mention fans would get in a frenzy. These things are usually kept private, but I will say that Chris must have really pissed off someone in has camp for them to come forward like this. That's what's most shocking of this IMO. Funny how this comes out right after Grammy fav John Legend blasted him for attacking his girlfriend on Twitter.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

I'm wondering why you think they should be kept private though? (You can PM me if you want to continue there )

I'm also wondering if this is something that is so common and known about that news/entertainment outlets wouldn't bother reporting on it because it's not that big a deal. I'm waiting for a hitfix or something blog about it if it's actually a big deal. Otherwise, I guess it doesn't matter.

[Love Plastic Love]

I am super cynical and sort of assumed most awards (for any show) were either paid for or political. I mean, of course it is fun to see your favorite win, but they all feel a bit...hollow to me if I really think about it. I do wonder how much a Grammy costs compared to...let's say a VMA award.

[d.t.m]

May 23, 2012 19:46:58 GMT -5 Devil Marlena Nylund said:

I'm wondering why you think they should be kept private though? (You can PM me if you want to continue there )

I'm also wondering if this is something that is so common and known about that news/entertainment outlets wouldn't bother reporting on it because it's not that big a deal. I'm waiting for a hitfix or something blog about it if it's actually a big deal. Otherwise, I guess it doesn't matter.

Sent PM ;)

Edit: I'm just getting word that Ken wasn't fired so I dunno. ???
Whether this is true or not, I will say Grammys can and have been bought and traded for in the past.

[Deleted]

May 23, 2012 19:46:58 GMT -5 Devil Marlena Nylund said:

I'm wondering why you think they should be kept private though? (You can PM me if you want to continue there )

I'm also wondering if this is something that is so common and known about that news/entertainment outlets wouldn't bother reporting on it because it's not that big a deal. I'm waiting for a hitfix or something blog about it if it's actually a big deal. Otherwise, I guess it doesn't matter.

I think it's one of those things that's always been well-known in the industry (including media), but kept secret from the public. I can't claim to be "in" the industry, obviously, but I've always been inordinately fascinated/borderline-obsessed with following it and I think there are a LOT of things the public isn't privy to...the entertainment industry is very heavily invested in keeping up a certain image even when it's obvious to anyone who pays more than five minutes attention that the inner workings are very different. Few people pay more than five minutes attention, though so they often get away with it I think even the public would reasonably assume the Grammy voting process is pretty political, and accepting of that fact, but outright BUYING a Grammy (if this is true) is bad.

That said there still isn't a really concrete source and of course Chris' camp is denying it. Unless someone leaks those emails or can directly source Portnow's statements, I unfortunately will have to categorize this as unconfirmed hearsay. But if true it's thoroughly unsurprising. I remember when the noms came out Chris' name stuck out like a sore thumb to me - not b/c he's Chris, but b/c he was the only contemporary r&b person nominated amongst a field full of traditional/'veteran' r&b artists and songs (Even Beyonce/4's couple of noms could arguably be seen as more traditional than her previous efforts). The refusal to nominate him probably was not personal as much as it stemmed more from wanting to make the r&b field as a whole seem 'respectable,' which fits with NARAS trying to improve their reputation overall. But Chris being nominated, then winning, really made that effort a moot point.

[Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...]

Just when I thought Chris Brown couldn't be more disgusting.

[kingofpain]

So there is no "voting" process then? I guess when a Grammy is bought, all the votes become null and void. So if this is true and does become a public headache, how are any Grammy "wins" in the future going to be seen as legitimate or relevant?

[areyoureadytojump]

Why are people so dramatic?

It's not all the awards and there is a voting process. There are 5,000+ Grammy members.

It's just one award and we don't even know if it is true or not.

[Caviar]

^ No one is denying it either.

[Deleted]

May 24, 2012 11:13:08 GMT -5 areyoureadytojump said:

Why are people so dramatic?

It's not all the awards and there is a voting process. There are 5,000+ Grammy members.

It's just one award and we don't even know if it is true or not.

It's true. Look at the nominees list and you'll see there's no reason why he should have won that award.

I guess I'm in the minority that's surprised. I know there is a lot of behind the scenes politics with awards shows and celebs but I thought it was more along the lines of Award shows giving stuff to artists who showed up, who were popular, etc etc. Not flat out PAYING for awards.

[stuntbox]

Chris Brown is garbage and the Grammy's have lost credibility.

[Devil Marlena Nylund]

If it's just one award, that opens up the possibility of there having been more awards, or will be more awards. If someone, or an organization, can be bought once, it can happen again. It completely ruins the integrity of this particular awards. If the votes of 4,000 members are discounted because someone decided to throw a lot of cash in and buy an award, what's the point of having 4,000 members vote?

I think what's most upsetting about this is that the music industry is pretty crappy overall. Pretty much everything is tainted with money and people trying to buy their way in. For me, the Grammys, while having their own problems with politics and trying to appeal to ratings, was still the best awards that music had so if they can't really be trusted, that's something else that is lost to underhanded dealings of certain people in the industry.

[elementd5]

Trust, if Chris Brown, of all artists, was able to buy a Grammy, then you can GUARANTEE your favorite Pulse divas have done the same in the past. There's no way, little old Chris Brown, has that kind of clout...and some of the more prominent superstars, don't. If this article is true, then it really is irrelevant (outside of the complete loss of the organization's credibility) cause it would subseqeuntly be obviously systemic.

[Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...]

May 24, 2012 11:13:08 GMT -5 areyoureadytojump said:

Why are people so dramatic?

dramatic...DRAMATIC?!

[Agent Yoncé]

May 24, 2012 11:23:55 GMT -5 @swella said:

May 24, 2012 11:13:08 GMT -5 areyoureadytojump said:

Why are people so dramatic?

It's not all the awards and there is a voting process. There are 5,000+ Grammy members.

It's just one award and we don't even know if it is true or not.

It's true. Look at the nominees list and you'll see there's no reason why he should have won that award.

I guess I'm in the minority that's surprised. I know there is a lot of behind the scenes politics with awards shows and celebs but I thought it was more along the lines of Award shows giving stuff to artists who showed up, who were popular, etc etc. Not flat out PAYING for awards.

THIS! I highly doubt he bought this Grammy. That child does not the coins to bribe anyone.

[Deleted]

May 24, 2012 11:49:26 GMT -5 Agent Yoncé said:

May 24, 2012 11:23:55 GMT -5 @swella said:

It's true. Look at the nominees list and you'll see there's no reason why he should have won that award.

I guess I'm in the minority that's surprised. I know there is a lot of behind the scenes politics with awards shows and celebs but I thought it was more along the lines of Award shows giving stuff to artists who showed up, who were popular, etc etc. Not flat out PAYING for awards.

THIS! I highly doubt he bought this Grammy. That child does not the coins to bribe anyone.

No one said he, personally, bought it anyway.

[tshawn74]

This reminds me of that special AMA award given to beyonce in 2007. I remember a lot people grumbling that Matthew knowles paid for that award. I'm starting to believe that now.

[Deleted]

May 24, 2012 11:49:26 GMT -5 Agent Yoncé said:

May 24, 2012 11:23:55 GMT -5 @swella said:

It's true. Look at the nominees list and you'll see there's no reason why he should have won that award.

I guess I'm in the minority that's surprised. I know there is a lot of behind the scenes politics with awards shows and celebs but I thought it was more along the lines of Award shows giving stuff to artists who showed up, who were popular, etc etc. Not flat out PAYING for awards.

THIS! I highly doubt he bought this Grammy. That child does not the coins to bribe anyone.

Oh I'm still sure he and his team/label paid for it, I'm just saying I'm surprised that they actually went this far to secure it.

[brucelover]

4's lack of nominations the year that Matthew Knowles leaves, despite being the most critically acclaimed album Beyonce has put her name to and it selling very well, leads me to believe he had huge clout with the Grammy people and was the driving force behind Kleptonce's ridiculous amount of wins and nominations.

[Deleted]

I knew ya'll would do this.

[Wavey✨️]

I mean... it's not like speculations ONLY started with him...

But I can see why ppl though it was wild that he edge out the other nominations that easy.

[kingofpain]

I think just about everyone was shocked when Chris Brown's name was called as the winner. I actually felt sorry for Ledisi. I'll bet everyone who voted in that category was asking each other afterward, "I didn't vote for him, did you?" It would be funny if he actually got the least amount of votes altogether. When all the media outlets reported that the entertainment industry had "forgiven" him, which is why he won his Grammy - I guess if his team did pay for the Grammy, then the boost to his image and PR paid off. I was particularly disgusted when he was gloating about his win through a tweet later (I think he deleted it though).

I wish they would launch an investigation and pull a Marion Jones on him.

[Wavey✨️]

May 24, 2012 14:32:22 GMT -5 kingofpain said:

I was particularly disgusted when he was gloating about his win through a tweet later (I think he deleted it though).

I think it was something about Miranda Lambert showing her disdain for Chris...and of course"...we got a Grammy"!

[kingofpain]

I gotta research it, but Chris Brown did tweet something where he was gloating about it and basically calling everyone suckers. I know Miranda Lambert tweeted her shock, but that's not what I was referring to.

Here we go: www.hollywood.com/news/Chris_Brown_Tweets_To_Haters_After_His_Grammy_Win/17215553

As tweeted by Chris Brown: "HATE ALL U WANT BECUZ I GOT A GRAMMY Now! That's the ultimate F**** OFF!"