TGJ Roundtable: 2022 American Music Awards Review

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TGJ Roundtable!

Over the years, That Grape Juice has established a distinguished voice that – whether loved or loathed – sparks discussion, debate, and on occasion drama!

Though comprised of seasoned writers who share a similar outlook on Urban Pop culture, the idiosyncrasies of the TGJ team members often lend for quite heated debates “behind the scenes” about the hottest topics.

Now, we give you a front-row seat to the show. In a format similar to ‘The View’ or ‘The Real’, TGJ editors – Sam, Rashad, Joe, and Ryan – get real in a very candid way.

Today’s roundtable topic asks each anchor their thoughts on the…

2022 American Music Awards

Sam

The AMAs have long been a roll-dice show for me. Year to year, its entertainment factor has ranged from “mid” to snoozer to a dynamic dark horse that surprises with memorable moments (especially on the performance front).

Unfortunately, this year not only was a dud but it may actually have been one of the worst AMAs in recent memory. Uniquely, this installment of the ceremony is actually more notable for what didn’t take place than what did. More on that in a mo’.

On paper, it was clear the AMAs ’22 did not have the sauce. So, my expectations were pre-adjusted accordingly. Yet, even with that, it just wasn’t…giving.

Rare moments of bliss came courtesy of Pink, who never misses. Thoroughly enjoyable showing of ‘Never ‘Gonna Not Dance Again’ and again with her Olivia Newton-John tribute. A versatile queen.

Cardi B’s pop-up during GloRilla’s performance reminds that – amidst all the beef amongst femcees on the TL – U-N-I-T-Y is just as (if not more) entertaining.

Elsewhere, the Lionel Richie Icon tribute led by Stevie Wonder and co was a sweet treat on an otherwise lacking plate that was the AMAs.

I enjoy Anitta (and appreciate the Missy Elliott cameo), but I’m still waiting for the material to match the bombshell’s undeniable talent. Similarly, the likes of Lil Baby, David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, and co could not wake me from my slumber.

What would have done the trick is THAT Chris Brown and Ciara tribute to Michael Jackson we’ve now learned was on the cards but was scrapped. A travesty and ironically the exact type of ‘Thriller’ needed to wake this year’s ceremony from the grave.

A mess.

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Rashad

When a moment that was NOT an award win, upset, or dynamite performance ends up being the night’s most talked about incident, that should give an indication about the show itself. Peruse of the performer roster let me know in advance the AMAs wouldn’t give me much, so – by that merit – they actually exceeded my expectations. Beyond the Lionel Richie tribute and Glorilla/Cardi performance, the show was a bunch of blah.

The standout moment, of course, came from Kelly Rowland who – still fresh on a roll from gracefully checking Peter Rosenberg’s trifling a** a few days prior for his disrespectful Beyonce comparison – did the same to AMA audience members who booed when she accepted Chris Brown’s award on his behalf. It must be clapback season and I am here for Miss Kelly doing what I hope she continues to do.

All-in-all, the show left much to be desired on the performance front. On the winners’ front, the victors are pretty much predictable given that it’s a fan-voted show. The most active stanbases (i.e. Swifties, Beyhive, Barbz, Navy) always corral to see their faves take home the trophies.

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Joe

I don’t know about you, but for yours truly, yesterday was all about ‘Tomorrow.’

GloRilla and Cardi B brought the house down with their street anthem. Backed by an army of dancers, the duo displayed playfulness and camaraderie aplenty, and the audience kept asking for more. It’s amazing how in just a few months Miss Gloria Hallelujah has managed to capture the attention of not only the streets but little by little the mainstream world as well. As for Cardi, hopefully, she’ll be back next year to present or represent some new music of her own.

With or without a big production, one thing Pink is going to do is SING, and that’s exactly what she did during the night;s festivities. If her colorful and high-energy opening performance of new single ‘Never Gonna Not Dance Again’ brought the spectacle in earnest, it was her moving tribute to Olivia Newton-John which hit a chord personally. Good to have her back.

I am still not sold on Anitta’s abilities as a live performer but it will never not be exceptional seeing Missy Elliott take the stage, so that’s that.

Without David Guetta in sight, Bebe Rexha had to do the heavy lifting concerning their worldwide hit ‘I’m Good’, and she did… OK.

Stevie Wonder had to show Charlie Puth how it is done when honoring his friend Lionel Richie. Also, Dove Cameron’s performance had me wondering if she’ll be the next Pop girlie that will get a big industry push in the very near future.

Now bring on the GRAMMYs!

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Ryan

Whose award show is it anyway? That is one question that was answered with this year’s American Music Awards show. Fans made their voices heard and as a lifelong #Swiftie I can say that the majority of the winners were correct (unlike you Chris Brown).

However, it is hard to say whether this year’s award show was truly one for the books or not. They had their fair share of decent performances, but again, nothing too worthwhile.

As for the best of the night, that easily goes to Yola. She came in and delivered the soul and energy that this show desperately needed. A true queen.

P!nk is a close second, and surprisingly not with the performance of her new song ‘Never Not Gonna Dance Again.’ No, that honor belongs to her tribute to the late Olivia Newton-John. P!nk absolutely nailed this performance from beginning to end.

Anitta also gave a decent performance and surprisingly (unsurprisingly) brought out Missy Elliot to assist her. Now, anytime Missy is on stage, it is just a treat and automatically one of the best of the night. However, Anitta’s skillful dance moves and charisma helped carry her performance as well.

Now, when it comes to the worst, it is hard to say because I simply tuned them out. Despite this, if I had to name the worst performance of the night, that would go to Lil Baby and his utter lack of stage presence.

Elsewhere, Imagine Dragons get a slot here out of pure annoyance and terrible music.

Bebe Rexha also gets a slot here, mainly because her dance moves were stiff and uninspired like the most painful of small talk.

So, while this year’s award show did answer a pivotal question, it still left one unanswered: do we really care at this point?

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Do you agree with our picks? Who was spot on? Let us know your thoughts on the latest TGJ Roundtable and your thoughts on the 2022 AMAs.

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Getty / Giphy]