RECAP Jan 29, 2010: Kiss-n-Grind GRAMMY® Edition in LA celebrating Urban/Alternative Performance nominees (photos)

The Soulful Stars shined bright at KISS-n-Grind GRAMMY® edition hosted by Vikter Duplaix on Friday, January 29th.

“It was a night full of good vibes and good music…LA showed a lot of love.” That’s what Grammy nominee Robert Glasper had to say about the Kiss-n-Grind GRAMMY® Edition that took place on Friday, January 29th. 1200 people showed up to watch Eric Roberson, Vikter Duplaix, The Foreign Exchange, Robert Glasper, Bilal, Lalah Hathaway, and Ann Nesby take the stage, in honor of the nominees in the Urban/Alternative Performance category. They blessed the audience full of fans, which included India.Arie, Tichina Arnold, Ledisi, Sheila E., Kenny Lattimore, Goapele, Vanessa Williams, AJ Johnson, numerous industry executives and tastemakers with songs that moved the masses. The special guest DJ sets by Questlove, DJ Rashida, and Hip Hop Dan, kept the crowd on their feet all night!

Kiss-n-Grind GRAMMY® Edition was hosted in partnership with SoundExchange and the musicFirst Coalition. As Vice-President of the Los Angeles Chapter of The Recording Academy, Vikter Duplaix has been actively involved in raising awareness for the Performance Rights Act alongside SoundExchange and the musicFirst coalition. Duplaix states, “Kiss-n-Grind GRAMMY® Edition is an incredible celebration, but it is important to also be conscious of the needs of others while we enjoy the treasures of our more fortunate lives. I believe that now is time for performers and musicians to be fairly compensated by terrestrial radio for the beautiful sounds they create. What’s fair is only fair.”

The GRAMMY® Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance has been awarded since 2003. Works nominated are considered to be of an alternative urban genre. Alternative hip hop, electro, funk, jazz, soul and reggae are examples of alternative urban genres. Previous nominees have included Vikter Duplaix, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Prince, India.Aire, Chrisette Michele, The Roots, Floetry, Van Hunt, Janelle Monae, Outkast, Dwele, N.E.R.D., Gorillaz, Gnarls Barkley and more!