Drink your iced tea; eat an M&M; be a man

[MajGenl.Meade]

25 Nov 2014 The Times (South Africa)

Iggy mans up and beats the big boys

AUSTRALIAN rapper Iggy Azalea surprised many by winning a couple of gongs at this weekend’s American Music Awards. (Certainly surprised me... they give prizes for rap? There's an 'American Music Awards show?)


She walked off with the Favourite Artist and Favourite Album awards, beating Drake and Eminem in the process. Rapper T.I. went up on stage to introduce Iggy (also his record label protégée ), who performed her hit, Fancy , by telling off her haters (there are many, including Eminem and Snoop Dogg).

He said: “Like it or not, women can rap. And like it or not, regardless of size, colour or nationality, women can run hip-hop.”

That’s very noble coming from a male rapper in a recklessly misogynistic genre. But, remember that the internet never forgets, T.I.

The Live Your Life star and another female rapper, Azealia Banks, were involved in an infamous Twitter spat. And when he appeared on the Tony Sculfield and the Morning Riot radio show, he appeared to take the sexist route.

He said: “That’s bitch s***, I’m a man. You ain’t got no business addressing me. Get your man to address me, if you got a man, get him to address me and he and I can speak on it.” — Andile Ndlovu

[Sue U]

As terrible as Rolling Stone is, I agree with pretty much everything they say about the AMAs here. Except I think Imagine Dragons suck, and I thought they sucked at the AMAs, too. But over all it was a surprisingly fun show (if you're into the current pop thing).

Iggy Azalea is okay (I liked her a lot on Ariana Grande's (One Less) Problem), but she'd hardly be my first choice for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.

[Big RR]

Sue--I didn't watch it and only saw the Taylor Swift number online; if that's one of the best things about the show (as RS says), I'm glad I didn't watch it; I found it tiresome and silly (then again, I will admit I'm not a fan of her).

[Sue U]

Well, I'm not sure it was the best thing in the show, but it was kinda fun to see TS owning the crazy ex-girlfriend persona. While her songs are very hit-and-miss with my own tastes (e.g., I like Shake It Off a lot, thought Trouble was annoying), I think she is a talented songwriter who can work a hook and really connect with her audience. Also she is a marketing and hit-making machine.

I thought one of the highlights of the show was Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicky Minaj doing Bang Bang, which I think is just a killer song. Charli XCX also acquitted herself quite well on her new single Break the Rules, and contrary to Rolling Stone's assessment, I thought 5 Seconds of Summer did a pretty credible version of What I Like About You -- especially considering the song was a hit more than a decade before any of them were even born. I'm not gonna fault them for the hokey set design, which was AMA's doing, not theirs.

[wesw]

I think taylor swift s new song, you know the "haters gonna hate hate hate hate" one, is kinda cute and funny. she has a pretty good attitude, as far as stars go, if you ask me.

my kid used to like hanna Montana, she, and I, were disappointed when hanna went wild. taylor s not so bad, I hope she stays happy

[Big RR]

Sue--don't get me wrong, I think Swift does what she does well, it's just not something I care to listen to or watch. But she has been quite successful at it, and that's fine with me. If the only successful musical artists were ones I liked, the record stores would be small indeed.

Wes--I don't wish her any ill either.

[wesw]

"I ain t gotta brain, that is what they say....."

it makes me feel better after meade get s done with me....

[MajGenl.Meade]

Your wish - my command

[wesw]

thank you sir. may I have another?

[MajGenl.Meade]

No quite up to the standard of WoOz but also a fun movie at the time.

[Big RR]

No footage remains (so I have heard), but a recording of Buddy Ebsen as the Tin Man before the makeup almost did him in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDcgsRaGDao

[MajGenl.Meade]

I did not know that. I found a site which says his voice is heard on the movie in one place - when they are "Off to see the wizard". An allergy to aluminium dust... mind I think Haley's is the better voice but who knew Buddy could sing? (Well, not I, obviously).

[Big RR]

At one time on TV I saw his screen test, and he was a pretty good dancer as well (to If I Only Had a Heart), but I couldn't find the footage online. I recall also reading Shirley Temple was originally set to play Dorothy as well but it didn't work out. I'm no Judy Garland fan and always wondered while someone in their 20s (OK, I think she was 16 or 17, but certainly too old for the role) was dressed as if they were 11, but at least she could sing.

[wesw]

I think he danced on Beverly hillbillies, while glenn Campbell played the fiddle or guitar