IS RAP MUSIC A LOSER GENRE AT THE GRAMMY AWARDS?

Me and FloRida, a fairly new rapper in the game.

The Associated Press reports via Toronto's CP24 that since its beginnings in the 1970s, rap music has transformed from an underground, street-based sound to a definitive part of pop culture, transcending race and becoming one of the strongest -- and most prolific -- voices of today's generation. But at the Grammy Awards, rap has had a long-lasting losing streak in the top categories.

The hip-hop sound -- first recognized at the 1989 Grammys -- has garnered numerous prestigious nominations over the years, and for 10 of the last 14 years, rap acts have either led or tied for most Grammy nominations. But rarely will a hip-hop act win one of the show's top four honours -- album, song and record of the year, along with best new artist. Instead, rap acts tend to win rap awards.

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AWWWW.....SO DRAKE LOST BUT A GREAT PERFORMANCE.

FYI, for all the Canadians asking me, Eminem won Best Rap Album for "Relapse" and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Crack A Bottle". SO DRAKE LOST!! Now we have L'il Wayne heading to jail this month and Drake better get that album out. There's always next year...

Several Canadians were among those early winners.

Neil Young snagged the award for best boxed or special limited edition package for his elaborately designed box set The Archives, Vol. 1 1963-1972.

The Canadian music legend had also been honoured during the weekend's festivities as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' MusiCares person of the year.

Actor Michael J. Fox won the best spoken word album Grammy for Always Looking Up, based on his book Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist — which explores his personal philosophy amid an ongoing struggle with Parkinson's disease and stories of other optimists who have triumphed over adversity.

Crooner Michael Bublé was honoured with the award for traditional pop vocal album, for his album Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden.

Canadian acts who failed to win included rap newcomer Drake, Montreal duo Beast, rock group Nickelback, hit producer David Foster, R&B singer Melanie Fiona and aboriginal singers Northern Cree.

Some files from CBC

THE WRAP UP: 2010 GRAMMY WINNERS ...BEYONCE IS THE BIG WINNER!

The Winners

• Album of the Year Taylor Swift, Fearless
• Record of the Year Use Somebody, Kings of Leon
• New Artist Zac Brown Band
• Song of the Year Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), written by Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart (Beyoncé)
• Female Pop Vocal Performance Halo, Beyoncé
• Male Pop Vocal Performance Make it mine, Jason Mraz
• Pop Performance, Duo Or Group I Gotta Feeling, the Black Eyed Peas
• Pop Collaboration Lucky, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
• Pop Instrumental Performance Throw Down Your Heart, Béla Fleck
• Pop Instrumental Album Potato Hole, Booker T. Jones
• Pop Vocal Album The E.N.D., the Black Eyed Peas
• Dance Recording Poker Face, Lady Gaga
• Electronic/Dance Album The Fame, Lady Gaga
• Traditional Pop Vocal Album Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden, Michael Bublé
• Solo Rock Vocal Performance Working on a Dream, Bruce Springsteen
• Rock Performance, Duo or Group With Vocals Use Somebody, Kings of Leon
• Hard Rock Performance War Machine, AC/DC
• Metal Performance Dissident Aggressor, Judas Priest
• Rock Instrumental Performance A Day in the Life, Jeff Beck
• Rock Song Use Somebody, written by Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Nathan Followill
• Rock Album 21st Century Breakdown, Green Day
• Alternative Music Album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Phoenix
• Female R&B Vocal Performance Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Beyoncé
• Male R&B Vocal Performance Pretty Wings, Maxwell
• R&B Performance, Duo Or Group With Vocals Blame It, Jamie Foxx and T-Pain
• Traditional R&B Vocal Performance At Last, Beyoncé
• Urban/Alternative Performance Pearls, India.Arie and Dobet Gnahore
• R&B Song Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), written by Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart
• R&B Album BLACKsummers’ Night, Maxwell
• Contemporary R&B Album I Am ... Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé
• Rap Solo Performance D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune), Jay-Z Rap Song Run This Town, written by Jeff Bhasker, Shawn Carter, Robyn Fenty, Kanye West, Ernest Wilson and Athanasios Alatas Rap Album Relapse, Eminem
• Female Country Vocal Performance White Horse, Taylor Swift
• Male Country Vocal Performance Sweet Thing, Keith Urban
• Country Performance, Duo Or Group With Vocals I Run to You, Lady Antebellum
• Country Song White Horse, Liz Rose and Taylor Swift
• Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Up
• Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media Jai Ho, written by Gulzar, A. R. Rahman and Tanvi Shah, from “Slumdog Millionaire”
• Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package Neil Young Archives Vol. I (1963-1972), Gary Burden, Jenice Heo and Neil Young
• Short-Form Music Video Boom Boom Pow, the Black Eyed Peas
• Long-Form Music Video The Beatles Love — All Together Now

Now can Sasha go rest and have a baby? Congrats to all.

****EXCLUSIVE LIVE****GAGA IS COMING OUT IN THIS NEXT!

WTF? Who makes her outfits?

GAGA OR BEYONCE? PERFORMANCES FROM OUTTA THIS WORLD.

Some really energetic performances tonite, but these women are gonna be dueling for all the trophies. I say it's Beyonce's year when it's really chic with a dick's year.

GRAMMYS 2010: THE FASHIONISTAS..............

Pink looks like Taylor's spiritual adviser after a session

Keri Hilson just tweeted a congrats to the Zack Brown band.

Rihanna and Katy Perry looked sweet. What's that eye make up?

I don't know about that dress and it's straps?

Adam Lamby always lookin guud!

MJB looks good in Pink

Pink showed up with Carey Hart? Guess they are back

Ke$ha looked drunk and stoned. Uwa-uwa-ooo

J-Hud still has those baby cleavage...LOL!

LIVE AT THE GRAMMYS 2010.

This one was last nite at Clive Davis' party.

The BEP looked dashing on the carpet. Tonite's gonna be a good nite.

SFTC: is our own Melanie Fiona looking hot!

Do we see Usher and Mya arriving together? Great for him. At least he does not have Trasheka anymore. Meanwhile did you hear what he said about Justin Beiber? That he will be responsible for him? WOW!

Gaga arrived in a wired outfit. Who makes her outfits? This is definitely Akon's best investment. KJ wants to meet her some day. So I guess he'll be talking to Akon soon.
The Black Eye Peas have it going on with these robotic outfits. It sure is the future...

STFC: LIST OF CANADIANS NOMINATED FOR THIS WEEKEND'S GRAMMYS.

Canadians up for prizes at Sunday's 52nd Grammy Awards:

Neil Young - best solo rock vocal performance, best boxed or special limited edition package

Drake - best rap solo performance, best rap song

Beast - best short form music video

Michael Buble - best traditional pop vocal album

Melanie Fiona - best female R&B vocal performance

David Foster - best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocalist(s)

Nickelback - best hard rock performance

Northern Cree - best Native American music album

Michael J. Fox - best spoken word album

The ones highlighted in red are gonna win!

THE 2010 GRAMMY NOMINEES...

Photo: Keminications Media

Here are the nominations in the top four categories, and selected other races:

Record of the Year: Beyonce's "Halo," Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling," Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me."

Album of the Year: Beyonce's I Am...Sasha Fierce, Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D., Lady Gaga's The Fame, Dave Matthews Band's Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King, Taylor Swift's Fearless.

Song of the Year: "Poker Face" (Lady Gaga and RedOne), "Pretty Wings" (Maxwell Musze and Hod David), "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" (Beyonce Knowles, Thaddis Harrell, Terius Nash and Christopher Stewart), "Use Somebody" (Kings Of Leon), "You Belong With Me" (Taylor Swift and Liz Rose).

Best New Artist: Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups, The Ting Tings.

Best Pop Vocal Album: Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D., Colbie Caillat's Breakthrough, Kelly Clarkson's All I Ever Wanted, The Fray's The Fray, Pink's Funhouse.

Best Electronic/Dance Album: The Crystal Method's Divided By Night, David Guetta's One Love, Lady Gaga's The Fame, LMFAO's Party Rock, Pet Shop Boys' Yes.

Best Rock Album: AC/DC's Black Ice, Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood's Live From Madison Square Garden, Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown, Dave Matthews Band's Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King, U2's No Line On The Horizon.

Best Alternative Music Album: David Byrne & Brian Eno's Everything That Happens Will Happen Today, Death Cab For Cutie's The Open Door, Depeche Mode's Sounds Of The Universe, Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeah's It's Blitz!

Best R&B Album: Anthony Hamilton's The Point Of It All, India.Arie's Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, Ledisi's Turn Me Loose, Maxwell's BLACKsummers' Night, Charlie Wilson's Uncle Charlie.

Best Contemporary R&B Album: Beyonce's I Am...Sasha Fierce, Jamie Foxx's Intuition, Pleasure P's The Introduction Of Marcus Cooper, Trey Songz's Ready, T-Pain's Thr33 Ringz.

Best Rap Album: Common's Universal Mind Control, Eminem's Relapse, Flo Rida's R.O.O.T.S., Mos Def's The Ecstatic, Q-Tip's The Renaissance.

Best Country Album: Zac Brown Band's The Foundation, George Strait's Twang, Taylor Swift's Fearless, Keith Urban's Defying Gravity, Lee Ann Womack's Call Me Crazy.

That's Beyonce in my country Nigeria in 2006 at a school we took her to visit during her concert.

BEST AND WORST MOMENTS AT THE GRAMMYS LAST NITE.

FIRST a worst moment was to hear the domestic abuse between Chris Brown and Rihanna! The police report is here.

Here's a look at some of the highlights and lowlights at this year's Grammy Awards telecast:

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WAY TO GO, J-HUD: Jennifer Hudson has a Grammy to go with that Oscar. A week after her return to the national stage at the Super Bowl, the actress-singer picked up the first award of the telecast, Best R&B Album for her namesake solo disc. Hudson's victory is bittersweet, coming several months after the killings of her mother, brother and nephew. In her acceptance speech, Hudson gushed: "I'm just in awe right now. ... I would like to thank my family in heaven and those who are here today."

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JT MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER: Justin Timberlake performing "Let's Stay Together" alongside Al Green was a top-notch moment. Yeah, Keith Urban and Boyz II Men were somewhere on stage, but all eyes were on Timberlake's smooth moves and harmonies with Green.

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JONAS BROTHERS' WORST NIGHTMARE: Poor Nick and Joe Jonas, two-thirds of the pop-rock phenomenon. Who knows what went through the siblings' minds when their respective exes, teen phenoms Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift, took center stage to perform an acoustic duet of Swift's song "Fifteen."

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BEST PERFORMANCE AND WORST OUTFIT BY A PREGNANT WOMAN: Rapper M.I.A., who was due to give birth Grammy night, held her own during an all-boys' rap summit on "Swagga Like Us" with Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and T.I. But, oh, that outfit. She exposed her belly in a sheer black top — or was it a dress? — that had a bikini cutout design, strategically covering her chest.

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KANYE EGO MOMENT OF THE NIGHT: West showed some sour grapes at not being recognized for being the greatest gift the music world has ever seen. The brash hip-hop star and singer Estelle presented the award for Best New Artist, and West couldn't resist slamming Grammy for bestowing the honor to past winners John Legend and Amy Winehouse "but somehow, not to either one of us."

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A TRIBUTE TO NEW ORLEANS: Robin Thicke, Lil Wayne and Allen Toussaint did the city justice with their rousing, soulful collaboration, supported by a brass band that had the audience on its feet.

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HE JUST WANTS TO DANCE: Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke was way more animated than usual, dancing energetically during the band's performance of "15 Step."

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AN OVERDUE GRAMMY: The Four Tops, which never won music's highest honor, finally received their due with a lifetime achievement award; sadly, the group's lone surviving member, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, could not share it with his three former bandmates. But he did turn out one of the night's more memorable performances, joined by Smokey Robinson, Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx in a medley of the band's greatest hits.

Source: Excerpts from the AP

BREAKING NEWS: CHRIS BROWN ENTERS LAPD STATION AND SURRENDERS TO THE ARREST WARRANT FOR ASSAULTING RIHANNA?

I just received a call that Chris Brown has walked into an LAPD station. He may be turning himself in on the arrest warrant for him hitting Rihanna. I am not hiding any names. It was Rihanna who he assaulted and she filed charges. My sources are very CLEAR and I am being told that Rihanna is in Cedar Sinai hospital in L.A. Story developing.....

UPDATE: Rihanna has checked herself out of the hospital while Chris got $50,000 bail.

Early Grammy Winners Include Lil Wayne, Kanye West.

Lil Wayne also got a couple of W's in his column early on, with trophies for "Lollipop" in the Best Rap Song category and Best Rap Solo Performance for "A Milli." And though Kanye West claimed he didn't want any more awards, he began loading them up before the big show started, with a Best Rap/ Sung Collaboration trophy for his hookup with Estelle on "American Boy." Weezy and 'Ye also had won for the Best Duo or Group Performance with Jay-Z and T.I. for "Swagga Like Us."

The White Stripes' Jack White took an award home for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for the Raconteurs' Consolers of the Lonely. The "Juno" soundtrack won for the Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. And Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, who could have a big night, got the ball rolling early, with a pre-telecast win in the Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album for Raising Sand, as well as the Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "Killing the Blues."

Like everybody won......Congrats especially to our Estelle!

Source: MTV

PICTURE OF THE DAY......M.I.A SUPER PREGGO ON THE RED CARPET.

As you know, the Grammy red carpet is one sensation as M.I.A showed up heavily pregnant with a due date of TODAY! She said the baby has been kicking all nite. Also she managed to perform in a birthday suit with T.I and the rest of that boring swagger song crew.....Yeezy, Jay etc..

WHAT THEY WORE................

Jordin and Carrie looked glamorous.

Janelle Monae and that hair.

Classic! That was Jeezied! Imagine, I found this guy selling CD's in the car 2004.

Did Leona get an award at least for this dress?

Canada's Dedmau was in the house!

Being Cool is hanging with LL Cool J says Miley and Taylor.

LIVE BLOGGING BEGINS AT 6PM EASTERN.

LIVE BLOGGING BEGINS AT 6PM EASTERN. I AM IN LOS ANGELES!!!

WEEZYLICIOUS: Lil Wayne Tops 51st GRAMMY Nominations WITH 8 NOMINATIONS!!!!

Rapper L'il Wayne's daughter Reginae aka Naenae must be thrilled dad earned eight nods; Coldplay get seven; Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West earn six

(For a complete list of 51st GRAMMY Awards nominees, please click here.)

Nominations for the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced tonight by The Recording Academy and reflected one of the most diverse years ever with the Album Of The Year category alone representing the rap, R&B, folk and rock genres.

Lil Wayne topped the nominations with eight, Coldplay garnered seven, and Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West each earned six nods. Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and Jazmine Sullivan received five each, and Adele, Danger Mouse, Eagles, Lupe Fiasco, George Strait, and T.I. each received four nominations.

For the first time, nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night." The one-hour special — broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre L.A Live — featured past GRAMMY winners and nominees reading nominations in several categories, as well as performing songs from the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in celebration of the grand opening of the GRAMMY Museum.

Two-time GRAMMY winner LL Cool J and 50th GRAMMY Best New Artist nominee Taylor Swift co-hosted the telecast, and presenters/performers included four-time GRAMMY winner Christina Aguilera, five-time GRAMMY winners Mariah Carey and Celine Dion, the six-time GRAMMY-winning Foo Fighters, 14-time GRAMMY winner B.B. King, five-time GRAMMY winner John Mayer, and Swift.

"The GRAMMY Awards process once again has yielded a comprehensive, diverse and eclectic group of excellent nominees across multiple genres," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This year's nominations are truly reflective of the talented community of artists and creators who represent some of the highest levels of musical excellence. Coupled with our first-ever prime-time nominations special, featuring stellar performances by past GRAMMY winners and nominees, we're off to an incredible start on the road to Music's Biggest Night and the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards in February."

Following are the nominations in the four General Field categories: (My winners are in red.)

Album Of The Year:
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (Coldplay)
Tha Carter III (Lil Wayne)
Year Of The Gentleman (Ne-Yo)
Raising Sand (Robert Plant & Alison Krauss)
In Rainbows (Radiohead)

Record Of The Year:
"Chasing Pavements" (Adele)
"Viva La Vida" (Coldplay)
"Bleeding Love" (Leona Lewis)
"Paper Planes" (M.I.A.)
"Please Read The Letter" (Robert Plant & Alison Krauss)

Song Of The Year:
"American Boy," William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle Featuring Kanye West, artist)
"Chasing Pavements," Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele, artist)
"I'm Yours," Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz, artist)
"Love Song," Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles, artist)
"Viva La Vida," Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay, artist)

Best New Artist:
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

Nominations in the Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals category are "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay; "Waiting In The Weeds" by Eagles; "Going On" by Gnarls Barkley; "Won't Go Home Without You" by Maroon 5; and "Apologize" by OneRepublic.

For Best Rock Album, the nominees are Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends by Coldplay; Rock N Roll Jesus by Kid Rock; Only By The Night by Kings Of Leon; Death Magnetic by Metallica; and Consolers Of The Lonely by the Raconteurs.

Nominations in the Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals are "Ribbon In The Sky" by Boyz II Men; "Words" by Anthony David Featuring Indie.Arie; "Stay With Me (By The Sea)" by Al Green Featuring John Legend; "I'm His Only Woman" by Jennifer Hudson Featuring Fantasia; and "Never Give You Up" by Raphael Saadiq Featuring Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton.

For Best Rap Album, the nominees are American Gangster by Jay-Z; Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne; The Cool by Lupe Fiasco; Nas by Nas; and Paper Trail by T.I.

The Best Country Collaboration With Vocals nominees are "Shiftwork" by Kenny Chesney & George Strait; "Killing The Blues" by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss; "House Of Cash" by George Strait & Patty Loveless; "Life In A Northern Town" by Sugarland, Jake Owen & Little Big Town; and "Let The Wind Chase You" by Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban.

This year's Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominees are Danger Mouse, Nigel Godrich, Johnny Karkazis, Rick Rubin, and will.i.am.

GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 17 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm Deloitte by Jan. 14, 2009, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.

The 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 8, 2009, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Let's face it, I am getting my $$ ready for the trip to L.A and it's gonna be a rough one. Every nomineee was GOOD!!! What a year for hip-hop. Weezy, his baby boy and Nae-Nae must be jumping for joy now. You know they are all going! The whole 6 generations are gonna show up on stage. LOL!

Source: Grammy.com

GLORIA ESTEFAN NABS TOP LATIN GRAMMYS!

Latin pop diva Gloria Estefan, who was honored with the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award Wednesday night, also scooped up awards for best traditional tropical album for "90 millas" and best tropical song.

"The only thing left for me to do is to sing in a free Cuba," said Estefan, who is the first woman to receive the person of the year honors.

In pre-show awards, Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas picked up two Latin Grammys for best long form video and best alternative music album.

This year marked the Houston debut of the awards show, now in its ninth year. The Latin Grammys gives out awards in 49 categories from ranchera to rock en espanol.

The show's lineup of performers reflected the theme of musical diversity and fusion, starting with the opening duet and bursting to life in a rousing accordion jam featuring performers from Colombian vallenato, Argentine tango, Mexican norteno and Tejano genres, and showcasing Julieta Venegas' pop hit "El Presente."