Music

Post-Grammy Controversy?

Amy Wino's win seems to have upset a few people...

By Monica Gaza, Entertainment News Editor

12th of February 2008, 13:31 GMT

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The Grammys are over, the hackling is just beginning. It was only a matter of time before someone started to express anything from mild dislike to old-fashioned disapproval to blatant criticism. And the most obvious target for criticism this year was Amy Winehouse - quite an easy choice, considering the fact that she's been battling a severe drug addiction and an equally troubled personal life. And yes, Amy did almost clean the house, winning five out of the six awards for which she was nominated and giving an excellent performance back in the UK, which was transmitted live via satellite to the States. However, there are many voices that criticized Amy as being a poor role model for the young generation - and not only.

"I'm going on record as an artist who is able to critique. I think she has a great talent, but I don't agree with the Grammys giving her those nods. I think it sends the wrong message, that even in the midst of her stupor of drugs she can get nominated for all these awards" stated singer Natalie Cole, Nat King Cole's daughter and a lady who is no stranger to drug addiction. "It's a slap in the face to musicians and artists who work very hard that they turn around and give it to someone who really obviously doesn't have a grasp of what she has" she also added. The fact is, as much as I like Amy and her music and as much as I'd like to say Natalie Cole is just frustrated with a Brit sweeping some of the most coveted trophies out there, I think that on a certain level, she might have a point.

I mean, I don't think that Amy's win can be seen as "a slap in the face", but I'll admit that it might send out the wrong message to people battling drugs - something along the lines of "it doesn't matter if you're on drugs, you can still win". On the other hand, I think that Amy won her trophies on pure talent, and talent is something that has nothing to do with having a drugged-out husband locked away in jail and with being an occasionally drugged-out wreck yourself. Quite the contrary - if there's anything that can elevate Amy above her day to day troubles and serve as motivation to get herself clean, it's her music and her wonderful voice and musical prowess.

"I've been in this business over 25 years and I sacrificed five years of my own life on drugs and almost lost my life because of it" Cole added. "So I take great offense to almost see someone getting glory out of being in the position that they're in - she needs to get her life together and embrace her craft, she will lose it if she doesn't get it together". Well, I think she's also right about the "get it together" part - but what she doesn't seem to take into account is that maybe Amy's win will serve the double purpose of providing her with motivation and of increasing her self-esteem - something that will definitely help her on the road to recovery. Or so I hope.

TAGS:

Amy Winehouse | Natalie Cole | Grammy awards | drugs

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