New acts rule Grammys as Lizzo, Lil Nas, Eilish lead in nominationss

The three new acts mentioned in the title will be forgotten about in a couple of years.

sooner.

That cover photo nearly put me off my coffee.

Good god man, why did she think that would be a good outfit?

@Eric

I can't agree with you. Lizzo and Elish may fade. But I think Lil Nas X will continue to be a star. The reason is that he is doing something different than others. Also, he has the backing of LGBTQ community. There are forces that want to see him succeed in 2 genres that typically don't allow them to succeed. Country and Rap.

No matter how PC it is to crusade against that, being that overweight is unhealthy and unattractive. Sorry.

Lizzo and Lil Nas X are two of the most refreshing and honest acts I've seen in a while. And damn catchy tunes as well. More power to them!

@Speed

being that overweight is unhealthy and unattractive. Sorry.

Please don't speak for the world. There are many men that look at models and skinny women and think its unattractive and unhealthy to be that thin. But at the same time look at Lizzo and think she is sexy.

It is interesting how Adele came out at a bigger weight than Lizzo but she was often called beautiful and sexy. But Lizzo isn't.

It is interesting how Adele came out at a bigger weight than Lizzo but she was often called beautiful and sexy. But Lizzo isn't.

Because, sadly, the demographic here is mostly angry white male and they would rather disparage than appreciate.

It would be nice to see more women and people of color here, having their say. Although with the anger and sneering directed to artists like Lizzo, I don't blame them for avoiding such "discussions".

Lizzo is a talented and wonderful singer. That is the most important thing. But of course, she's a strong and beautiful woman which some will fixate on.

I've tried listening to these singers and the only one I can remotely deal with is Lil Nas X. It seems these days that we're at a bit of ebb in the tide of music. Thankfully Bieber was out of the running.

 It seems these days that we're at a bit of ebb in the tide of music. 

Plenty of music out there to be found. I don't know if John Peel would have been a fan but I always admired his championing of new music, right up until he passed.

Music is great, be it pop/rock/classic/punk/house/r'n'b/hip hop/soul/jazz/funk/electro/blues etc, etc. What I love about it is the sheer range and diversity of styles and beats on offer. And how the artists can express themselves.

From Bo Diddley to The Beatles to Kraftwerk to Abba and beyond... it's truly humanity's crowning achievement in the pantheon of art. Yes, you can stare in awe at a Caravaggio or marvel at Rodin or Moore but the immediacy of music and its ability to reach millions - for me, that's the best.

Good luck to the nominees - and also those that carry on with their crafts and sounds, whether they get the recognition they deserve or not.

Funny, isn't it. When Rag'n'Bone Man hit the scene, I wonder if these sensitive, health-driven souls were as outraged as his size as they are by Lizzo. Those of you who judge appearance over talent and ability, best not to throw stones.

Sounds as if many people listen to music only to look at the artist and watch movies only to hear the actors. Music is a vocal artform. What you look like is inconsequential. Can you make good music and something that people want to listen to. That's all.

Funny, isn't it. When Rag'n'Bone Man hit the scene, I wonder if these sensitive, health-driven souls were as outraged as his size as they are by Lizzo. 

Well, there is the flaunting it factor to add here here. Fat is of course bad no matter what you wear, but if he went on stage like Iggy Pop ( who got ridiculed for being too old to go shirtless ) it would be more noticeable.

Right wingers hate freedom of speech.

Not every thread is a political thread. Surely there must be a better place for such rants.

They also hate certain artists, too. 

Again.... Pretty sure Ted Nugent will upset some on the left.

What you look like is inconsequential. Can you make good music and something that people want to listen to. 

Yes and no. Not really the case with pop music. If Justin Beiber was some bald and overweight 55 year old, he would still be playing in the streets. That's why so many with musical talent go the producer route, and find some cute young singer to cover their material.

I'd say the demographic here is partly anti-white male

True, and I’d also broaden it to ‘anti-male’. Some of the generalizations about men I read on here wouldn’t be tolerated ( as they shouldn’t ) against other groups.

There are forces that want to see him succeed in 2 genres that typically don't allow them to succeed. Country and Rap.

While I actually like Old Town Road, that is only country rap song he has on his album while the other songs are autotuned singing which nobody cared much about. He should stick to the formula that made him famous. If you like country rap, listen to Blanco Brown who sticks to country rap.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the phrase, lamb dressed up as mutton. However, that is burley dresses up as bait.

I'd say the demographic here is partly anti-white male

True, and I’d also broaden it to ‘anti-male’. Some of the generalizations about men I read on here wouldn’t be tolerated ( as they shouldn’t ) against other groups.

I took on board what these two posters have written above, and went to see what offensive words have been hurled at white men.

Firstly, I found one statement directed at men in general -

There are many men that look at models and skinny women and think its unattractive and unhealthy to be that thin. But at the same time look at Lizzo and think she is sexy.

but I am unsure how this is upsetting. It seems fair, no?

Then, I found this statement directed at angry white men -

Because, sadly, the demographic here is mostly angry white male and they would rather disparage than appreciate.

where I have put in bold the offending words, aimed at people who are angry, and white.

So, the two nasty generalizations about men are that a) one shouldn't generalise about men, as everyone has different tastes; and b) they would rather disparage than appreciate.

No wonder you're both so upset.

I know they did that on purpose. C'mon, switch back he pictures of Ariane Grande and (not at all thin) Lizzo．

I'd say the demographic here is partly anti-white male and they would rather disparage them in particular than give them the benefit of the doubt and think anyone could make such remarks.

I've given them the benefit of the doubt all my life. Am still yet to find anything positive in fat shaming and putting looks over talent. Am still wondering why some need to denigrate women on a regular basis because of their appearance.

@Maria

So is it okay to generalise about men and use labels like ‘angry white men’ or not? I was brought up not to generalise and put labels on people but perhaps my parents were wrong.

A yes or no will do the job.

“some”

Much better.

As for fat shaming, gender has nothing to do with it. Fat is not good.

Encouraging people to believe being seriously overweight is just fine is dangerous and totally irresponsible.

Ask a doctor working in a taxpayer-funded medical service if obesity is just fine.

As for fat shaming, gender has nothing to do with it. Fat is not good.

Not all of us have a perfect frame. I don't see any call outs for the former Grammy winner Van Morrison for his portly demeanor?

So is it okay to generalise about men and use labels like ‘angry white men’ or not?

One has to stick it to the MCPs, on occasion. As someone who knows a bit about moderation (websites, not imbibing) you'd want to see the vile misogynistic stuff that doesn't get through. Or, on second thoughts, you really don't.

As for fat shaming, gender has nothing to do with it. Fat is not good.

Not all of us have a perfect frame.

I know, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about being dangerously overweight.

Stop celebrating this.

As for Van the man, if he came on stage in his underwear, you would be more focused on his size. He needs to spend a few astral months in the gym.

I don't think her size is reallly the issue. It's her fashion. If a fat Van Morrison showed up to perform wearing a three-sizes-too-small Speedo and skin tight tank top, I can guarantee there would be a few voices raised in surprise.

Aretha Franklin was a large sized lady, and I don't recall anyone EVER mentioning her weight or shape. Perhaps because she dressed more tastefully and with dignity.

Aretha Franklin was a large sized lady, and I don't recall anyone EVER mentioning her weight or shape. Perhaps because she dressed more tastefully and with dignity.

Or because she conformed to a certain type of male idea of what constitutes as tasteful and dignified? Why on earth can't people dress how they want?

Heretic; people CAN dress how they want. However, they also can expect to take a bit of stick for the choices they make. If I showed up for work in the Van Morrison Speedo/tank top combo, I wouldn't expect to keep my job for long. Never mind that everyone could enjoy my Adonis-like, rock hard bod.

On reflection, it's quite amusing, actually. You can tell that most of the respondents had never heard of Lizzo until today.

The real controversy for me, is using Dolores O'Riordan's vocals after her passing. It doesn't feel right. Like the remaining Doors using Jim's vocals on An American Prayer or John's vocals on that Beatles Anthology release.

 If I showed up for work in the Van Morrison Speedo/tank top combo, I wouldn't expect to keep my job for long. Never mind that everyone could enjoy my Adonis-like, rock hard bod.

Lol! I just laughed my cola through my nose! Depends what kind of job one does, I guess. I've done formal and informal - and it was to the gain of the company (in the latter job) that some of us were allowed to be as informal as we liked. Our productivity was commended.

That gal is seriously, dangerously overweight. Why is she being clothed like someone to admire? Sorry. Not supporting superfatness.

My students may be amused/disgusted/moved to tears, the uni administration would probably have a more pragmatic response...

Why is she being clothed like someone to admire?

Perhaps she may have been told all her life she was ugly and fat, to cover up and accept that she doesn't belong in a particular view of what is "attractive". Who knows? Perhaps she decided that nobody would dictate to her what she wears.

Nobody here concentrating on her fantastic voice and music, though. Nope, straight in with the attacks on how she looks and dresses.

Lol, are we really talking about music and healthiness?!

Some of the best musicians had a cocktail of narcotics running in their veins!

because she conformed to a certain type of male idea of what constitutes as tasteful and dignified? Why on earth can't people dress how they want?

To be fair, if one chooses to dress in a way that emphasizes their body, they shouldn't be surprised or upset when people talk about their body,

To be fair, if one chooses to dress in a way that emphasizes their body, they shouldn't be surprised or upset when people talk about their body,

She was asking for the abuse? I see.

Cover yourselves up, sisters, lest ye be judged.

Zzzzzz

Where the hell are people getting the idea that Lizzo is promoting anything but her music? Is she wearing a badge that says, "Eat up you skinnies, get some flesh on yer bones!"

Get a grip. We all of us appear in public, wearing our own bodies, every day, in full view. That doesn't mean we are 'promoting' ourselves. We're living our lives, just as Lizzo is.

If you object to someone who you judge to be unhealthy appearing in public, then goodness me you must be nonstop busy writing angry letters to the Editor.

To be fair, if one chooses to dress in a way that emphasizes their body, they shouldn't be surprised or upset when people talk about their body,

She was asking for the abuse? I see.

Cover yourselves up, sisters, lest ye be judged.

Brothers too. Axl Rose got judged for his weight despite not stripping to his undies on stage. Iggy Pop got ripped for being too old to go shirtless. Barry White was nicknamed ‘the Walrus of love’ despite not going on stage in next to nothing.

It isn’t just the women who get it.

So, just to clarify, some people think being dangerously overweight is okay and we should celebrate it? Sorry to harp on this point but nobody seems to have put forward a good case for obesity.

You can dress how you want. And I reserve the right to tell you that you might want to reconsider your decision.

As a contrast, J-Pop singers are always real slender. Its not healthy to be very overweight.

As a contrast, J-Pop singers are always real slender.

Some of them haven’t hit puberty yet.

I don't think her size is reallly the issue. It's her fashion.

Come on. All the ｐｅｒｆｏｒｍｅｒｓ ｉｎ the picture dress like ... (not that guess are any better according to some research) but people are just bitching about one lady. The show seems to seek eccentricity.

If I showed up for work in the Van Morrison Speedo/tank top combo, I wouldn't expect to keep my job for long.

So you get that when you are doing some job, you are expected to dress some way.

If they like this way of dressing good for them they found a job matching their taste, if they do not they are just compelling with job requirement so why are you complaining.

it was to the gain of the company (in the latter job) that some of us were allowed to be as informal as we liked. Our productivity was commended.

Should be good if everyone should be able to understand that dress code is not so good and relaxing rules if not totally erasing them is beneficial to business.

She can dress how she wants and some people will find it attractive. If she is happy then whatever. Personally I find it distasteful and unattractive. But the people saying that we need to stop celebrating obesity are right. It is no way healthy. Accept it, sure I guess, some people want to be fat. But promote it like it is some kind of ok lifestyle? No way. It just isn't.

As for Lizzo specifically, the song Truth Hurts has got to be the worst song I have heard in a very long time. The lyrics are nonsensical (new man on the Minnesota Vikings? What?) but beyond that, her voice in the song is terrible and the music is just grating and not catchy at all. I can't wait until it fades out of popularity so I don't have to hear it everywhere any more.

Good grief, what a title photo. I want to erase that from my memory. How about some trigger warnings when we need them?

 Iggy Pop got ripped for being too old to go shirtless. 

He is still known to go pantless from time to time as well. Imagine an eyeful of that old geezer from the front row. (I do love Iggy, though.)