Last night was the night all gathered around the television set- media geeks with computers and phones ready to take to Twitter and commentate- to observe the music industry’s biggest US award show- the 52nd annual Grammy Awards. Similar to the charts, women dominated majority of the nominees. In fact, a woman-Beyonce broke a record last night for the most awards won in one night! For those who may have missed it, don’t fret! Shall I do the honors of giving you the low down? Indeed I will.
Performances
The show opened up with Lady Gaga taking the stage, and of course looking apart with another one of her eclectic costumes. In a green bedazzled leotard with the trendy enormous shoulder pads, Gaga and her back-up “monsters” began the show with “Poker Face.” Before the song can even finish, the mysterious Gaga turned on her theatrical acting and was tossed into tub of fire with “rejected” labeled on it. But of course, a fire can’t stop and won’t stop a show- and certainly not Gaga. Surprising viewers, Gaga emerged on stage with Sir Elton John for a seated dual-sided piano performance. The two shared the spotlight while they both played and sung Gaga’s song “Speechless” with a twist of John’s “Your Song.” Though this may have shocked viewers in the audience as well as at home, this isn’t John’s first time taking the stage for a surprise performance. Let’s all recall when he joined emcee Eminem to perform his obsessed-fan song, “Stan.”
If the untamed eye was new to this next performer, they would have mistaken her for Rihanna in her latest video “Hard.” Accompanied by an army full of marching men in soldier attire, Beyonce was next to the stage, performing the ballad “If I Were a Boy.” Adding some spice to the mellow tuned song, Beyonce then turned to her own rendition of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.”
Pink was next to grace the stage and delivered a memorable performance. With back-up dancers twirling and twisting by her side in the air, Pink turned in a circus acrobat as she spun into circles held by a white sheet as she sung “Glitter in the Air.” Might I add that she also had on a sheer body suit- nearly naked and had water coming down on her during the whole performance? Flash back to the movie “Flashdance” much! But of course, it was nothing less than an exceptional performance, which earned her a standing ovation.
This next act took us on a fantastic voyage to the year 2050. Dressed in all black attire mixed with futuristic and robotic loving, the Black Eyed Peas took to the stage to perform their latest hit “I’mma Be.” BEP continued to rock the stage accompanied by human speaks and other back-up creatures. The gang closed their set with their smash single “I Gotta Feeling.” We all know it wouldn’t be a proper show without that song performed!
Jamie Foxx was the next urban act to take the stage and he did it “opera style.” But before he did so, he dedicated his disclaimer to Jay-Z by saying “I apologize for the auto-tune Jay-Z.” While Foxx sings his ’09 hit single “Blame It,” an orchestra like conductor plays the background, leading the ensemble with funky moves. I’m sure no one was surprised to see T-Pain dressed as the all white conductor, as he turned around just in time for his verse. As the performance continued, Foxx and T-Pain were joined by Doug E. Fresh- whom added his sound of beatboxing and Guns-N-Roses’ guitarist Slash- whom rocked out with a solo performance. Oh! We can’t forget Foxx’s little sister, who also took to the stage with dance moves to support her brother.
After Foxx gave some life to the stage, it was now time to slow it down. R&B legend Lionel Richie took the stage to introduce a tribute to Michael Jackson. Usher, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson, Celine Dion and Jennifer Hudson all took part in performing a 3D version of “Earth Song.” Amongst the crowd, artist such as Beyonce and Rihanna were spotted wearing the 3D glasses. At the end of the performance, Richie brought out Jackson’s children, Paris and Prince Jackson, as well as his nephews, Tariano Adaryll Jackson II, Taryll Adren Jackson and Tito Joe Jackson to accept a lifetime achievement award on Jackson’s behalf.
Another tribute was next up to the plate, and this one for Haiti. After a brief French/Creole introduction, Wyclef welcomed Mary J. Blige, Andrea Bocelli and David Foster to the stage. The trio performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which can be downloaded off iTunes in support of earthquake relief.
The night continued and was joined by R&B/Soul singer Maxwell. Performing his comeback hit single, Maxwell took the stage for a performance of “Pretty Wings.” The singer was joined by Jazz/Soul singer Roberta Flack, who both took part in a duet of “Where is the Love.”
Closing the book of performances for the night is no other than hip-hop artist Lil’ Wayne, Eminem and Drake. Before Drake came on stage, Wayne and Eminem performed their song, “Drop the World,” which had Travis Barker playing the drums all throughout the performance. The two were later joined by Drake and performed “Forever.” Though the performance had the entire crowd up on their feet (including Taylor Swift), I’m sure the viewers at home were rather frustrated due to the out of control censorship and the absence of Kanye West.
Well, that wraps up the urban performances; now let’s see other random highlights of the night.
Urban Highlights
We had a lot of random introducers… ones we surely don’t see on the regular: Seal, Ricky Martin, LL Cool J, Carlos Santana and Mos Def.
While Jay-Z took the stage with Rihanna for their win for “Best Rap-Sung Collaboration,” they were accompanied by Beyonce’s nephew, who happens to be Solange’s son, Juelz.
While Beyonce took the stage to accept her win for “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance,” she acted like the wife that she is as she thanked her “husband” saying she loves him!
Among the remembered in the annual “In Memoriam” assortment, Teddy Pendergrass and DJ AM were amongst the group.
Ok, now let’s see who won what right?
Urban Winners:Best Rap Album: Eminem – “Relapse”
Best Rap Solo Performance: Jay-Z – “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)”
Best Rap Song: Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West – “Run This Town”
Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group: Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent – “Crack a Bottle”
Best Urban/Alternative Performance: India.Arie and Dobet Gnahore – “Pearls”
Best Rap/Song Collaboration: Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West – “Run This Town”
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: Beyonce – “Halo”
Song of the Year: Beyonce – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: Beyonce – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
Best R&B Performance By a Duo/Group With Vocals: Jamie Foxx and T-Pain – “Blame It”
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: “At Last” – Beyonce
Best R&B Song: Beyonce – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
Best R&B Album: Maxwell – BLACKsummer’snight – Maxwell
Best Contemporary R&B Album: Beyonce – I Am…Sasha Fierce
Best Short Form Music Video – The Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow”
Best Pop Vocal Album – The Black Eyed Peas – “The E.N.D.”
Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals – Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”
Best Children’s Music Album – Ziggy Marley – “Family Time”
Best Dance Recording – Lady Gaga
Best Electronic/Dance Album – Lady Gaga – “The Fame”
Written By Shabazz
