Accepting his award as the 2020 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons, Sean “Diddy” Combs went on to slam the Recording Academy at the annual Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala. He said that hip-hop and black music have “never been respected by the Grammys”
In attendance were Jay-Z, Beyonce, Janet Jackson, Cardi B, Lana Del Rey, Ozzy Osbourne,  and John Legend.

Diddy’s acceptance speech ran 50-minutes + which saw him reminisce about his life and career and the people he worked with.
“There’s something that I need to say to the Grammys — and I say this with love,” he said. “Every year y’all be killing us. I’m speaking for all the artists and executives: in the great words of Erykah Badu, “We are artists and we are sensitive about our sh–.” For most of us, this is all we’ve got. This is our only hope. Truth be told, hip-hop has never been respected by the Grammys. Black music has never been respected by the Grammys.”

LA-based singer and songwriter Brooke Daye drops the new track Daily.  The Joe Pepe produced track is not just a beat and a topline. Give it a few listens, it’s more than that, and tells a story of a broken relationship.  Moreover, Brooke signed a pub deal with Concord Music Group after 10 months after moving to Los Angeles. This past year, she wrote and was featured on ‘Same Page’ by Vincent and Yetep, which clocked over 4.1 million Spotify streams.

Def Jam and Scooter Braun co-hosted a Justin Bieber album preview event at L.A.’s The Village. Making sure there were no distractions and leaks – attendees gave up their phones at the door. Party goers included Shawn Mendes as well as employees at Def Jam and Scooters’ SB Projects team. Bieber got emotional telling attendees “I don’t even think I should be alive never mind thrive”. Bieber thanked his manager Scooter. “You walked with me through a lot of sh-t”. Biebers said he was unsure who to turn to or who to trust during difficult times.

Do you know when you hear the song and you think it could have universal mass appeal? This is the track that hit me – Next Year by Running Lights. If this band doesn’t make the song a smash, then somebody else needs to have a go. But I think the band is up for the job because I’m not sure another artist can deliver the track like guitarist/singer Mike Squillante. The band is made up 3 brothers. They’ve performed roles as touring musicians with artists like Melanie Martinez and Gnash. In 2018 they signed a deal with LA-based IDAP Music, home to William Wiik Larsen (Nico and Vinz, Kygo , Florida Georgia Line ). Check out the track on our Indie Invaders Playlist.

Deborah Dugan takes her story on TV after after filing lawsuit against Recording Academy with Grammy allegations. She seemed a bit hesitant when Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos asked her if the Grammys were fixed. The former ousted female CEO did say there was a conflict of interest.
Without naming the artist, she did say “This artist was actually permitted to sit on the ‘Song of the Year’ nomination committee. Incredibly, this artist is also represented by a member of the Board.”  This has become a PR nightmare for the award show.

FULL INTERVIEW: "I have evidence…"

Ousted #Grammys CEO Deborah Dugan speaks out on bombshell allegations of “vote rigging” in the Recording Academy. https://t.co/KIQ3IyMxRG pic.twitter.com/CUanT3XuMO

— Good Morning America (@GMA) January 23, 2020