–The award show kicked off with an impressive performance by The Larry Batiste Orchestra featuring Kirk Whalum. The audience seems to be in it early on.
–We’re now officially into the pre-telecast for the Grammys is about to begin. Everyone who won’t be on the primetime show (97 of 108 awards) will get there awards now.
–The Grammy Foundation president welcomed everyone to the “2001” Grammy Awards … errrrr, looks like someone’s mind isn’t fully into the pre-telecast.
Let’s take a look at some of the red carpet arrivals. (Regular Updates)
–Great performance by Bobby McFerrin and Esperanza Spalding … It’s great to see McFerrin going strong, and Spalding is a beautiful star in the making.
–First category “Short Form Music Video” … winner: Lady Gaga “Bad Romance.” … Should be a great night for her.
— I didn’t realize that they gave out Grammys for best album notes … I guess font really is important.
— We won’t bore you on the winners of most of the early categories … that is unless you really want to know who won for “Best Historical Album”
Updated List of Winners so Far
Best Gospel Performance
Grace
Best Gospel Song
It’s What I Do
Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Song
Hello Hurricane
BestTradiotional Gospel Album
Downtown Church
Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
Love God. Love People.
— The rap categories should be coming up soon. In the meantime, Betty Wright, Mavis Staples and Cyndi Lauper are on stage giving an inspired performance.
–There are so many talented acts up for awards in the R&B and rap categories. It’s going to be tough to predict who’s going to take it home.
–Jimmy Jam, of the famous Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis dynamic duo is on stage now presenting awards.
–Rihanna took home the award for Best Dance performance for “Only Girl in the World.” When asked about her energy in the booth while recording, her producers shared, “This was a different record for her, because it’s in a higher register. She was extremely confident. She would come in 3 in the morning, while she was on tour, and her voice was really strong.”
–Eminem takes home best solo rap performance for “Not Afraid”
–Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz win the Grammy for best rap duo “On To The Next One.”
–It’s a real shame that most of the “black awards” won’t make the telecast. We’ll keep you updated on the winners here.
–Jay-Z wins back to back awards … This time with A. Keys for Empire State of Mind “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.”
–Best Female R&B Vocal Performance – Fantasia “Bittersweet” … that is bittersweet.
–Fantasia couldn’t make it … she’s preparing for her role as Mahalia Jackson in an upcoming movie. That should be very interesting.
–Usher couldn’t accept…he’s preparing for his performance on the live show.
–The Roots and John legend just won… The Roots are on stage. Questlove says they’re very nervous for this moment.
–Best Urban Alternative Performance … Cee-Lo … No doubt on that one.
–Best R&B album goes to John Legend and the Roots … they are racking up.
–Producer and co-writer Alexander Shuckburgh of “Empire State of Mind”“I’m a massive hip-hop, and grew up on it. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre were the biggest inspirations. When we originally wrote the song, we didn’t have a complete vision of it, but it made sense for it to be a rap song. Jay-Z was the first choice for the song, because he’s the only person that could be capable of pulling a song off of this magnitude.”
–Jazz Legend Herbie Hancock: “I’d love to work with Eminem and Lady Gaga.”
–and it’s showtime. The show starts with an Aretha Franklin tribute.
–Let’s hope Christina Aguilera can get these words right…I hear she’s got the words written on her arm
–Great music, but it’s not my idea of a great opening act…we need something high energy. Like Cee-Lo telling everyone “F*ck You.”
–Christina made it through her set without any hiccups. That’s called progress people.
–Great tribute, and Aretha has lost alot of weight. Let’s keep her in our prayers.
–Lady Gaga hit the stage, and from our perspective, we had high hopes … sadly, she failed to deliver a memorable performance.
–Sometimes, you can focus so hard on being weird, that you forget the things that made you popular in the first place.
–The trio of Janelle Monae, B.o.B. and Bruno Mars are clearly the future of music.
–You know you’re doing something big when Ryan Seacrest introduces you.
–You just knew that Janelle was going to do a stage dive.
–An interesting sight at the Grammys is witnessing how the artists are truly fans of one another’s music.
–Beiber-mania is about to envelope Staples Center.
–Usher and Justin Beiber perform together, and show the true sincerity of their teacher/pupil bond.
Time to share some performance/backstage/audience photos.
–Backstage has been busy at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. John Legend just came backstage and was discussing his working with the Roots on they’re Grammy-winning collaboration.
“It was great working with Questlove because his knowledge of music is so encyclopedic. he shared.”
–Eminem continues to rep Detroit…gotta respect his love for his city.
–Drake and Rihanna are trying to have onstage chemistry .. he doesn’t seem very inerested though.
–And that does it for our live Grammy coverage. The Suburbs pulled out a shocking win for Album of the Year.
–Thanks for hanging out with us at The Grammys.
–Usher on Justin Bieber’s loss to Esperanza. “I would have preferred that Justin Bieber would have won, but I’ve been here before and didn’t win when I thought that I should have.”
