Chapter 232: Before the Grammys

I was reading yesterday’s newspaper again:

New York Post – Monday, February 25, 2002

HEADLINE:
GRAMMY RIGGED! SECRET JURY NAMES LEAK — FANS GO WILD

Subhead:
A bombshell list of 197 hidden jurors has hit the internet — exposing the Recording Academy’s secret club that decides who wins music’s top prizes. Furious fans say the Grammys are nothing but a rigged game run by aging insiders tied to jazz, rock and adult music — robbing real stars like Eminem.

And then I grabbed today’s one:

New York Post – Tuesday, February 26, 2002

HEADLINE:
HIP-HOP WAR ON GRAMMYS — JURORS TARGETED

Subhead:
Eminem, Dr. Dre and Snoop lead calls for boycott after jury leak — furious fans already harassing Academy insiders and families.

I looked at Pepper, “Jesus Christ, this escalated at an unbelievable speed. That old MF sure knows how to make sensationalist headlines and capitalize on the moment"

I didn’t expect it to blow up this much so soon. The goal was to scare the Grammys — not to nuke them.

She nodded. “The truth is, they just needed the right spark. The outrage had been simmering for a long time — from artists and fans alike. And just like in some sports, the more radical ‘fans’ only need an excuse to vandalize and intimidate.”

"The question is, do we pour more oil on the fire? Should I boycott it too?" I asked. Speaking of a necessary spark, I hadn’t been too excited to go before — and now, I was even less inclined.

"You boycotting isn’t just more oil on the fire — it’s a full-blown explosion. Aside from CD1 (Joytime) being nominated this year, it’s already expected that you'll bulldoze through next year, 2003, since CD2 (Joytime II) and the Super Bowl songs will be eligible. 

And that’s exactly what many are asking, the calls haven’t stopped," Pepper said thoughtfully.

"Yet they’d probably only give me three or four Grammys this year, even with my massive success, sidelining me like they did with others — Mariah Carey, Britney, Eminem, and so many more.

Just so I don’t monopolize everything and because the Academy has more conservative tastes. Now either they give me the awards, or they’ll be fueling even more the rebellion."

I thought for a moment and shared my idea with Pepper, "I'm leaning more toward boycotting — and if I'm going to do this, then let’s do it right.

How about a TV show at the exact same time featuring: Eminem, Dre, Snoop, Jay-Z, Britney, Christina Aguilera, Timberlake, Shakira, J.Lo, Linkin Park, and Marshmello?"

I continued, "Britney would be on board, and the hip-hop guys most likely too. The rest have all been snubbed by the Grammys before. Murdoch would be more than happy to air a show like that."

Pepper took a deep breath. "That would be a big mess... but it can be done. We just need to push the boycott harder, and make sure the backlash doesn't fall on us. I can already tell — tonight's going to be a long one..."

I went quiet again, thinking. "What are the Grammy folks going to do, Peps? If we boycott and put on a separate show, it’d be humiliating for them to hand out awards to empty chairs. 

But if they give us nothing, it just feeds the whole ‘rigged’ narrative even more."

"I don’t really know. Either way, they’re going to have a big problem with you boycotting. What I’m thinking about now is how we shield ourselves from the blowback — like the one that might come from Redstone. Maybe we bring NBC in too."

"I will make some calls and then we’ll talk more in detail," Pepper finished.

I nodded and said goodbye to Pepper. 

----

I was with Scarlett, Paige, and Mom in the Santa Monica kitchen.

"Wow, you're really going to boycott the Grammys with all those people and put on a TV show at the same time??" Scarlett asked, her eyes widened with surprise.

"Yep, I’ve already joined the rebels. Now we’re taking the empire down," I smirked. "Star Wars would be nice too..." I added, glancing at a sheet.

"What are you reading?" Paige asked, not particularly interested in the Grammy drama.

"It’s a list of some things where my songs have been licensed," I replied, handing it to her. She read it out loud.

Marshmello 2002 – Songs Licensing

Games (PS2, Xbox, PC, arcades)

FIFA 2003 → Faded, Levels, Blame
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 → Don’t Let Me Down, Titanium, Closer
GTA: Vice City → On the Floor, Hey Mama, Waves (radio)
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 → Alone, Waves, Love Me Again
Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) → Symphony (Britney), Toxic, Wake Me Up

Movies of 2002

Spider-Man → Something Just Like This
Men in Black II → end credits with On the Floor (J.Lo)
xXx (Vin Diesel) → Timber, I’m an Albatraoz

Series & TV Shows

Smallville (WB) → Love Me Again, Waiting for Love, Wake Me Up
Malcolm in the Middle (Fox) → Happier
Law & Order (NBC) → Feel So Close, Blame
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS) → Faded

Global Advertising Campaigns

Pepsi → Toxic (Britney), Symphony in global spots
Coca-Cola → Happier
Nike Air Jordan XVII → Feel So Close
Adidas World Cup → I’m Good, Don’t Let Me Down
Nokia → Hey Brother
Levi’s → Closer, in youth campaign

"All of them are just using the songs — I’m not doing endorsements for any of them.

In the games Tony Hawk’s and Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) I’ll actually appear as a character," I commented.

There are a lot of requests eager to use my songs because we’ve kept the royalties pretty low — especially when compared to other artists at the same level.

The rule is simple: the product needs to be very popular or have strong potential. For something like Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, I’d license it for free (but neither really has a place for EDM)

"Thank God you don’t sing all of them, or I’d be sick of hearing you everywhere," Paige said dryly.

"That’s another good thing about having different singers and varied beats — I don’t get overexposed even though I'm in so many products," I agreed. I 'borrowed' from dozens of artists, so diversification is only natural.

And this is going to be a cultural tsunami 

"Speaking of getting tired of someone..." I looked at Paige and shoved a muffin with whipped cream into her nose.

She counterattacked, but I used Scarlett as a shield.

Mom joined the food fight after getting hit by accident. (Paige is also terrible at sports.)