Hey Yall,

WE MADE IT. Welcome to the very first Fanscape newsletter! 🎉 Happy Black History Month as well. It’s been a jam packed week of headlines so we’re going to dive right in. Please, if you enjoy reading this, pass it along to a friend. Of course, make sure you respond as well. This is supposed to be a conversation. I want to hear your thoughts on what I got right and wrong.

I think that’s everything. Make sure your seat backs are upright and your tray tables are stowed. We’re about to take off.

A Night At The Grammys

Sunday was the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. While at times the Grammys has failed to deliver due to lackluster performances and poor sound quality, this year’s show hit all the right notes.

There were a number of strong performances, but probably my favorite part of the night was the showcase of nominees for Best New Artist: Benson Boone, Doechii, Teddy Swims, Shaboozey, and Raye. Other artists in the category, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, performed separately earlier in the night.

For my money, the performance of the evening was Doechii’s performance of “Catfish” and “Denial Is a River.” Shortly before taking the stage, Doechii made history as only the third woman ever to win Best Rap Album. It was also her first Grammy. This performance was special and you can almost sense the jubilation over her accomplishment infusing everyone on the stage with energy and swagger.

Doechii’s music and the precision of her pen cannot be lost in all this. She’s the real deal. However, what elevated this performance to the stratosphere was the fashion and choreography. The charcoal suits and military accents seemed to be a subtle nod to Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation, but Doechii’s performance was something completely new. 

I felt like I was watching the arrival of the next great MC. And it seems the audience of stars agreed. I’ve never seen Jay Z look so delighted.

While you’re going back to check the tape, make sure you watch Cynthia Erivo’s performance of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” It was perhaps the most perfect rendition of one of the most perfect songs I’ve ever heard. This was part of a larger tribute to the late icon Quincy Jones. I think Quincy would’ve approved.

Beyoncé Makes History

Beyoncé made history on Sunday becoming the first Black artist to win the award for Best Country Album (Cowboy Carter).

Arguably the bigger subplot of this year’s awards was whether Beyoncé would finally get over the hump and take home Album of the Year. 

Beyoncé did finally win the award but not without first suffering some epic snubs: 

• I Am…Sasha Fierce - Nominated

  • Winner: Fearless (Taylor Swift)

• Beyoncé - Nominated

  • Winner: Morning Phase (Beck)

• Lemonade - Nominated

  • Winner: 25 (Adele)

• Renaissance - Nominated

  • Winner: Harry’s House (Harry Styles)

This is NOT a judgment on the merit of the work of those other artists. They won for a reason. However, these are some breathtaking losses. Some members of the Beyhive would say these four losses represent some of Beyoncé’s best work artistically.

Tensions were high headed into this year’s Grammy Awards because last year Jay Z used his acceptance speech to chastise the Academy for not awarding Beyoncé with Album of the Year, despite her being the most awarded artist in history.

This year the category also featured very strong projects from megastars Ariana Grande, BIllie Eilish, and Taylor Swift who also command some of the largest and most passionate fanbases on the internet.

Personally, I was dreading the Grammys because I was nervous that it would be war no matter who won. I really liked Cowboy Carter, especially the more mellow tracks, but my pick to win was Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard And Soft.”

When presenting the award Miley Cyrus said “I might just say it’s you Beyoncé even if it’s not” and immediately after her acceptance speech Host Trevor Noah said, “we finally got to see it.” I think some of the sweetness of this historic night for Beyoncé (and me as a fan) was spoiled because it felt like Jay and the Powers that be had their finger on the scale.

This is not a conspiracy theory. I don’t want a recount and I have no questions about the voting machines. Cowboy Carter is a great, historic album that is deserving of the award. 

I only want to use this opportunity to consider how a moment of immediate vindication can misfire to overshadow the biggest, brightest moments of our lives. 

Now that you’ve seen how it all plays out, do you think Jay Z should’ve said something about the award?

Hurts So Good

In case you hadn’t heard, Super Bowl LIX is taking place this Sunday in New Orleans. The Philadelphia Eagles will take on two-time defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs. Kendrick Lamar will perform at half-time. Needless to say, Drake and the rest of the Hip-Hop community are anxiously waiting with baited breath. 

The disses Kendrick will bring and an on-field Taylor Swift engagement following a Chiefs win are all just funny hypotheticals.What’s certain is that this will be a brutal clash of two of the best teams in football.

What’s been interesting to me, as a Jalen Hurts (starting QB for the Eagles) apologist, is the way the narrative has completely flipped around him this season. During the preseason and for most of the regular season media figures said Jalen has the potential to be ONE of the best quarterbacks in the NFC. He was a “game manager” not a game changer.

He took friendly fire for Philly’s lackluster passing game and was criticized for his low productivity. All while the Eagles were winning game-after-game and with a very obvious pivot to a run-centric offense where any quarterback would see their stats slump.

Now that his team is in the Super Bowl, sports analysts have changed their tune. Folks want to talk about how consistent Hurts is and how impressive his playoff performances have been. Some of the loudest haters (on a show we’ll call Last Give) have even gone as far as saying Jalen is ALWAYS good. Suddenly it’s not his performance but rather the volatility at the Eagles’ coordinator positions that is problem. 

I’ve had enough. This wagon is full. Try the next one. Jalen Hurts absolutely deserves all the credit he’s getting right now and more. But folks don’t get to switch up mid-season without someone calling it out. 

Even with all the hangers-on most analysts are still picking the Chiefs to win the big game. 

Not me. People are forgetting the problems Kansas City had with its offensive line earlier in the season. I think Jalen Carter & Co. will be more than a handful for KC’s O-Line and keep Patrick on the run. Add to this the Eagles’ ability to chew clock and put up massive scores via their run game.

No one has been able to stop Saquan all season. Sunday will not be the day. 

When “forced” to pass, Philly has lethal options like AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert to choose from.

I’m taking the Eagles, 35-27. 

Ye Says

[Note from Charlie: This was written before news broke of Ye’s most recent Twitter rant on February 6.]

Ye, the artist and fashion designer formerly known as Kanye West, has chosen to speak up about his recent adversity and splashy appearance at The Grammys.

Ye made headlines in 2023, losing billions of dollars following the termination of his deal with Adidas for making antisemitic remarks.

He sat down to talk with influencer Justin Laboy about his current headspace and upcoming project. It was a fascinating conversation.

My primary takeaway is how lucid Ye remains. Hate speech is inexcusable and it was right that he faced consequences for that. However, the media likes to portray Ye as unhinged. He acknowledges himself it’s because he does “crazy sh*t.” However, it’s important to remember that people can be more than one thing. Ye is living proof. 

I was startled by Ye’s self-awareness. He talks about processing his autism diagnosis, the importance of independence as a creative, and gives one of the most interesting takes on the Drake vs. Kendrick beef that I’ve heard. 

Spoiler Alert: Ye thinks he could take Kendrick and win. While I wish for peace in the realm… I do think this fight would be EPIC. 

Another highlight was hearing Ye talk about working with his daughter, North. It sounds like not only is he passionate about nurturing her interest in music, Ye wants to go all Matthew Knowles and make her a star. 

It’ll be interesting to see how this develops. We often talk about how the children of professional athletes are better equipped to achieve success and sometimes become historically great (e.g. Patrick Mahomes), but the same is true in music. 

There are young artists today who have certainly been influenced by their professional musician families and are better for it. Think of artists like Jacob Collier, Alex Isley, Jaden & Willow Smith, and of course Blue Ivy Carter. 

I can’t wait to see how things unfold for our bestie Miss Westie. 

Ye would say it’s greatness as usual until further notice. We can expect that notice sometime in June with the release of his latest album, Bully. 

He said this is his most positive album to date, his Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. When Ye, says that, you’ve got to be at least a little intrigued. I’ll give it a listen and report back.

The Empire Strikes Back

One interesting wrinkle in all of this is that The Kardashians Season 6 returned today on Hulu. Kim Kardashian, of course, was married to Ye from 2014 to 2022 and they share four children together. 

The show doesn’t tend to shy away from awkward headlines. So, I’ll be curious to see how or if they respond to some of the latest news such as Ye’s self-proclaimed return to billionaire status and his controversial appearance at the Grammys with Bianca Censori. 

Another interesting thing to watch will be the portrayal of North this season. The show is no slouch at minting young stars. Just ask her aunts Kendall and Kylie Jenner. North is already trending on the charts with her song “Childlike Things.” She also has the advantage (right?) of having two of the most successful creators, no pun intended, as her parents. The pump seems primed for North’s ascension, if that’s what she and the family decide they want.

This franchise is so good at making us Norms think we have a right to be in the loop on what’s happening in this family. I’ll absolutely be tuned in to see for myself.

The Last Word

Fans always get to have the last word. Give us your take. Reply to this message for the chance to be featured.

Here’s what you had to say about our first piece on Bad Bunny: