NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Universal Republic Records) - Universal Republic recording artist and 2007's most acclaimed musical force, Amy Winehouse, was nominated for six Grammy Awards today, adding to her growing list of accolades as music's most honored and critically lauded star of 2007. The multi-talented singer/songwriter received nominations for Album of the Year (BACK TO BLACK), Record of the Year (Rehab), Song of the Year (Rehab), Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album (BACK TO BLACK), and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (Rehab). The much anticipated 50th Annual Grammy Awards will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, on February 10, 2008.
The prestigious nods come on the heels of the mesmerizing British soul sensation receiving MTV Europe's renowned Artists' Choice Award just last month. She also recently snagged the Best Album Prize for the multi-platinum global smash BACK TO BLACK at the highly regarded Q Awards.
Grammy nominations, however, stand as the capstone of an unprecedented year of accomplishment for the 24 year old phenomenon. "I'm honored to have my music recognized with these nominations - this is a true validation from people I respect and admire.' says Amy, about garnering her first ever Grammy citations.
Living up to the heralding of Newsweek Magazine as a cross between 'Billie Holiday and Lauryn Hill' upon the U.S. release of BACK TO BLACK (Universal Republic) nine months ago, the singer-songwriter's brassy mix of emotive vocals tinged with 60's girl-group styling, sly funk, and jazz has fueled an unprecedented ascension as this generation's most highly recognized and beguiling torch singer. The unforgettable single - 'Rehab, dominated 2007 R&B, Pop, and Modern Rock Radio and Video playlists for the entire year. Amy was selected by MTV for their coveted Discover & Download program as well as VH1's You Outta Know campaign.
Earning her rightful place as music's most dynamic new singer/songwriter has not come without its price, but controversial headlines swirling around the artist have not diluted the power of her gift, duly recognized by her Grammy nominating peers and other fearless superstars quick to sing her praises. Elton John recently told Entertainment Magazine, 'Back To Black was a phenomenal album. Her voice just completely blew me away…' while Mick Jagger told MTV 'Amy is a brilliant artist…'
The world's music critics are still searching for adjectives to describe her ability to forge raw passion via her unflinching, stadium-sized talent - virtually unmatched in 2007 for its fragility or its unvarnished emotive power. Dozens of the entertainment world's most influential music critics have already tipped their hand that her soul-wrenching BACK TO BLACK will be among the top selections of their Year-End-Best Lists. As the UK's Daily Telegraph most recently noted: 'She lives a life of high drama. She's used that troubled experience to create an excellent album's worth of highly dramatic songs. It must have been like (this) to see Holiday or Simone. Brilliant. Honest…and surely unforgettable.'
Most recently, Amy has basked in the praise for her widely heralded U.S. debut for her inaugural UK album, FRANK, which hit stores here on November 20. The 2003 UK release was hailed by British pop critics as a stunning introduction to her soulful and starkly original sound. Produced by hip hop helmsman Salaam Remi (who also helped guide BACK TO BLACK), the disc was nominated for two BRIT awards, as well as a Mercury Music Prize.
The charismatic star also offered home entertainment fans a unique glimpse of her combustible live show with the release of a special live DVD this fall, I TOLD YOU I WAS TROUBLE. Winehouse is captured at her provocative in-concert best on the deluxe DVD offering, with a 60 minute live performance at London's century old Sheperd's Bush Empire. Rare bonus material is also included, featuring a 50 minute film of interviews and backstage footage chronicling the star's incredible rise to fame.
Universally touted as the most acclaimed UK singer in years, Amy's BACK TO BLACK CD has remained a fixture of the Billboard 200 albums chart since its release in March of 2007, (she made history as the highest debuting British female artist entering the chart at No 7). Reaching the No 1 plateau in England at the beginning of the year, the mesmerizing artist also possessed one of the hottest singles on the Billboard charts most of the summer, with her sizzling single 'Rehab' scorching its way to No 1 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.
BACK TO BLACK has sold over 4.5 million albums worldwide, making it one of the best selling debuts of the year. One of the most honored artists of 2007, among Amy's many awards are the coveted Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist, a Best Jazz Crossover album Honor at the Ronnie Scotts Jazz Awards, an Ivor Novello Award (she won her first in 2003), as well as a MOBO Award (Music Of Black Origin), winning as best UK female artist.
