Zack O'Malley Greenburg's Blog, page 119

Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind" Victorious at Grammys

Alexander Shuckburgh accepts a Grammy for "Empire State of Mind." Jay-Z and Alicia Keys may be picking up another this evening.

The national telecast of the 53rd Grammy Awards has only just begun, but Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind" is already cleaning up.

The New York anthem has taken home two Grammys so far — Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song — during this afternoon's pre-telecast category ceremony. And though Jay-Z himself likely won't be satisfied unless...

Grammy Preview: Betting on Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber likely won't walk away from the Grammys empty-handed.

This may be the biggest weekend of Justin Bieber's young life. His film Never Say Never debuted by bringing in $30.3 million at the box office. And tonight, he's nominated for two Grammy awards: Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album.

So what are his chances of walking away with some hardware? Very high, if recent online betting odds are any indication. Earlier this week, I reported that Bieber was favored for Best New...

Embedded at the Grammys: The View From Inside

The Peoples' Republic of Grammy.

What's more difficult: Getting into China or getting into the Grammys? Last summer I spent an hour waiting in line at the Chinese consulate in the armpit of midtown Manhattan — twice — before receiving my papers. When I crossed into the mainland a few weeks later, I was questioned vigorously by customs officials while remote scanners evaluated my body temperature.

Now that I'm safely seated in the media room at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, I think I've c...

Grammy Preview: Eminem's Full "Recovery"

Eminem: On his way to a full recovery?

Somewhere in the middle of last week's Super Bowl telecast, a montage of industrial grit flashed across scores of screens, followed by a highway sign pointing to Detroit. Another car commercial, groaned 100 million viewers as they contemplated getting up to go to the bathroom.

Then the first strummings of a familiar song began, faint but insistent, and growing louder. It was Eminem's "Lose Yourself," and millions of people paused to marvel that a car...

Grammy Preview: The Business of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way"

Click Here For Full Gallery: Lady Gaga - The Celebrity 100

Sometimes two days is just too much time to wait. At least that's the case for Lady Gaga and her new single "Born This Way." The song had been scheduled for debut at Sunday's Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, but earlier this week Gaga tweeted that she "can't wait any longer" and will release the song today.

Nevertheless, Sunday should be a big day for Gaga. She's up for six Grammys, trailing only Eminem and Bruno...

Best Bets for Grammy Glory: Jay-Z, Eminem, Justin Bieber

The Grammy Award: You can bet on it.

After a lengthy hiatus from making music, rapper Eminem blasted back into the limelight this year and leads all artists with 10 nominations for the 2011 Grammy awards. Industry watchers from The Los Angeles Times to MSNBC believe that his album, Recovery, is a lock for Album of the Year.

Tossing around terms like "shoo-in" and "sure thing" is easy to do, but harder to prove. In the case of Eminem's album, however, the phrases "odds-on favorite" and "good b...

Insuring the World's Fastest Fingers

Oliver Lewis, violinist and avoider of sharp objects.

Oliver Lewis has had a hankering to play the violin since before he even knew how it worked.

He first heard the instrument's sound while tinkering with his mother's record player at age eight. When he put needle to vinyl and the sweet tone reached his ears, he begged his mother to sign him up for lessons immediately. But replicating the sound proved more of a challenge than the young Lewis had anticipated.

"The first time I put the bow on my ...

Why The Black Eyed Peas Aren't Getting Paid For Their Super Bowl Gig

No matter what you think of The Black Eyed Peas' music, there's no doubt they're very good at making money. In 2010 the group grossed a whopping $81.6 million from touring alone, more than any other act besides Bon Jovi, U2, AC/DC and Lady Gaga. Based on a nightly gross of about $1 million, it's safe to say the Peas take home $250,000 to $350,000 per concert.

So it may come as a surprise to learn what The Black Eyed Peas are earning for their halftime show at Super Bowl XLV: Nothing.

That's...

The Decemberists' Business Model: It Pays To Be Weird

The Decemberists and their many instruments. No ukuleles here.

On a chilly winter night in New York, some 3,000 people have gathered to see The Decemberists play the second of three consecutive sold-out shows at the Beacon Theatre. The room blooms with flannel and corduroy; iPhones rise ironically alongside lighters as the band belts out another folk-rockified sea shanty.

When the lead singer pulls out what looks like a yam-shaped guitar, obscured by my nearsightedness and distant vantage...

Who Will Buy EMI from Citi?

EMI: Out of Guy's Hands. Where next?

The music has stopped playing for Guy Hands and EMI. For Terra Firma, the fat lady has sung. And EMI's stay with Citi may be nothing more than a coda.

Get used to hearing terrible puns like these — there will be a lot of talk about the fate of EMI in the coming weeks. On Monday, Citigroup took control of the debt-ridden record company from Guy Hands and his Terra Firma private equity fund, ending a brief and troubled relationship that began in 2007 when...