Amazing show but cheap design for AMA 2009

Tonight was the 2009 American Music Awards broadcasted live on ABC, and I have to say it was quite a show. The performances were for the most part pretty amazing, and the setup looked really good.

But seriously, who designed the packaging for the show ? It looked like a cheap 1998 game show packaging. If anyone knows please drop it in the comments.

To come back to the show though, I must point out some amazing performances from Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performing “Empire State of Mind”, and a very nice comeback performance from Rihanna also. Even if the setup for his part was the least impressive, it was still great to see Eminem spit fiery verses off “Crack a Bottle” and “Forever”. Last but not least, something that is going to make the front page on every tabloid tomorrow is Adam Lambert’s performance, that involved him kissing another guy and having a guy simulate a BJ on him.

Here are a few videos from the AMA:

Rihanna

Adam Lambert

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys

Eminem and 50 Cent

Jay-Z for Rhapsody

Even after saying in 2003 that he would retire from the stage, Jay-Z is soon releasing his third album since he made that statement. Blueprint 3 is probably one of the most awaited album of the rap industry in the last 5 years. Rhapsody took advantage of this and created this super clever spot directed by Anthony Mandler. Of course, if you haven’t followed Jay-Z’s career much, it may not seem like anything special to you, so take a look at this.

While you’re there, check out his new video with Kanye West and the always lovely Rihanna, “Run this town“.

The Kanye masterplan is still going

I recently wrote an article about Kanye’s”Amazing” video with Young Jeezy, saying it was a fresh look at hip-hop videos. Well, once again, Kanye does it with his new “Paranoid” video. Not only does it look good, but it also features Rihanna, clearly sending another message to her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. Very little information is available right now about the video, so if anyone knows who directed it, and the rest of the credits for the video, please post it in the comments.
Major props to Kanye !