Since its imception in the early 90s, the MMP has consistently awarded the top prize to either Rap or "indie" acts. The one exception was when the dire M People won. Now I don't have a problem with that, although I have to admit to a dislike of most rap and modern R & B. What does annoy me is the shortlist. Every year they have a classical and "roots" nominee, none of whom are ever going to emerge victorious. So why bother with them ? Why not just group together this year's crop of wannabe gangstas and groups of angst-ridden, intense young men/women ?
I guess in the end it's all down to marketing. There can be no doubt that all the nominees pick up extra sales on the back of the prize - and I'm not going to knock that. Good luck to them. The MMP though, is supposed to reward innovation and the best of British music from the past year. How innovative is rap these days ? How British are British kids trying to emulate the music (and accents) of Black America ?
Personally I would have given the prize to Eliza Carthy. Now there is a woman who is taking the music of the UK and innovatively applying modern production, instrumentation and arrangement. Unfortunately it's classed as "folk music" and, therefore, fit for nothing.
Return to Sender
There's something of the Homer Simpson in this little escapade. It's frightening to think that he could be sat in that box with a "device" strapped to him though.
Digging in the Dirt
Meanwhile back in the land of the brave and the free, declassified documents are being released that show that the world's greatest supporter of democracy (well......err excluding Saudi Arabia and a few other "friendly nations"...) was more than just a passive onlooker during Pinochet's bloody coup back in 1973. It's hard to believe isn't it that "top CIA officials proposed a terrorist campaign to stun the Chilean people into accepting a military regime.". After Pinochet's success it was noted that: "Even when the full extent of the torture and executions in Chile were well known, the US government sought to integrate the Pinochet regime into international business circles."
It's a good job they don't do that type of thing anymore isn't it ?
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