The 2011 GRAMMY Awards took place in Los Angeles on the 13th of February 2011. The continent African wa smade proud with winners from Singers of African descent like Sade (whose lead singer is the Nigerian – Sade Adu), who won the award for R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. Seal also won for his feature on Herbie Hancock’s “Imagine”, Other winners are Congolese band – Konono Nº1 and Oumou Sangaré from Mali.
With performances by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Usher, Lady Antebellum, Rihana, Drake, Eminem, Dr. Dre and a long awaited tribute to the Queen of Soul – Aretha Franklin, the Grammys still ranks as one of the highest music awards show.
The biggest winner of the night was Lady Antebellum who won five awards.
Also spotted was Nigerian actress/musician, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde on the Red Carpet. Omotola is currently in the US for a series of promotional appearances.
The 53rd annual Grammy Awards kicked off with a tribute to Aretha Franklin. LL Cool J hit the stage to introduce Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Yolanda Adams in an unprecedented performance of “Natural Woman.” Christina Aguilera redeemed herself from her mishap during the singing of the national anthem at the 2011 Superbowl with the best vocals I’ve heard on a white girl thus far! Aretha filmed a special thank you speech, appearing abnormally thin(for her) after her highly successful surgery.
Lady Gaga performed her new single “Born This Way “ for the first time with freakishly real, abnormal shoulders, makeup and transparent outfit. Not to mention she pulled up to the Grammys in an egg?!
Lenny Kravitz looked amazing.
With 14 Grammy nominations between them, B.O.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae took to the stage performing one of the biggest songs of 2010—“Nothing On You.” While B.O.B looked like the man from the Monopoly box, Janelle stole the show with her natural beauty and signature bouffant singing “Cold War”.
Bruno Mars and his charming smile sang his little heart out in a black and white Smokey Robinson reminiscent performance.
***Justin Beiber Alert***
Footage of the first meeting between Usher and Justin Beiber graced the screens of millions to cheese over. It was followed by a corny acting session between the two on stage. With Usher crowning the 53rd Grammys as Beibers “time” Justin hit the first note on his guitar singing “Baby.” A couple of martial art moves later Beibs was joined on stage by Jaden Smith(who was wearing leopard jeans). Will and Jada were in the crowd smiling proudly and singing along to their son’s verse on “Never Say Never”
***End Justin Beiber Alert***
Justin joined Usher on stage for the same dance routine we have been seeing ever since “OMG” first came out. None-the-less it was the best performance I’ve seen from Usher in a long time!
Lady Gaga took home the Grammy for Pop Vocal Album over Beibs, Katy Perry and John Mayer. She surprisingly thanked Whitney Houston for inspiring her to write her new single “Born This Way.”
The Teddy Pendergrass tribute was sort of suspect, probably because it was performed by a white trio with guitars.
Jamie Foxx introduced Cee Lo Green but didn’t warn us that he would be wearing a costume that looked like it was designed by Missy Elliot, a 300 Spartan and showgirl. Though dressed like a gay chicken, Cee Lo’s performance was highly invigorating to an otherwise boring award show. Gwyneth Paltrow made an appearance wearing a jumpsuit with secy Louboutin’s and proved that she can actually sing before Cee Lo and Eminem lost Song Of The Year to Lady Antebellum.
Seth Rogen joked about getting high with Miley Cyrus before introducing Rihanna, Dr. Dre and Eminem. Rihanna kicked her Side-Show Bob hairstyle for a sleek bob and paper bag dress. There was a slight technical difficulty with Eminem’s mic as Rihanna seductively walked to him from across the room. Dr Dre shortly made his highly anticipated debut which was as overrated as Eminem’s “Love The Way You Lie” song.
Esperenza robbed Drake and Justin Bieber of Best New Artist.
Finally Nicki Minaj showed her face, along-side Will.I.Am to present the award for Rap Album which Eminem snatched early for his work on “Recovery.” He thanked Rihanna for helping propel his album to such heights and bigged up Detroit.
Beyonce looked amazing as usual, although they only showed a glimpse of her.
P.Diddy looked absolutely ridiculous with gold fronts introducing Ri Ri and Drizzy. Rihanna heated up the stage,literally(cue the Illuminati rumors) and even got Drake to bust a wine during “What’s My Name.”
Record Of The Year went to Lady Antebellum and beat out Cee Lo, Jay-Z, and Eminem…very upsetting!
Album Of The Year went to…The Suburbs
P.S-Jay-Z and Lil’ Wayne were nowhere to be found.
Here’s the list of winners:
Album of the Year: “The Suburbs,” Arcade Fire
Record of the Year: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
Song of the Year: “Need You Now,” Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum)
New Arist: Esperanza Spalding
Female Pop Vocal Performance: “Bad Romance,” Lady Gaga
Male Pop Vocal Performance: “Just The Way You Are,” Bruno Mars
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group: “Hey Soul Sister,” Train
Pop Vocal Album: “The Fame Monster,” Lady Gaga
Alternative Album: “Brothers,” The Black Keys
Traditional Pop Vocal Album: “Crazy Love,” Michael Buble
Rock Song: “Angry World,” Neil Young
Rock Album: “The Resistance,” Muse
Rock Performance: “Tighten Up,” The Black Keys
Solo Rock Vocal Performance: “Helter Skelter,” Paul McCartney (from Good Evening New York City)
Hard Rock Performance: “New Fang,” Them Crooked Vultures
R&B Album: “Wake up!” John Legend & The Roots
Contemporary R&B Album: “Raymond V Raymond,” Usher
R&B Song: “Shine,” John Legend & The Roots
R&B Performance: “Soldier Of Love,” Sade
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: “Hang On In There,” John Legend and The Roots
Urban/Alternative Performance: “(Forget) You,” Cee Lo Green
Rap Album: “Recovery,” Eminem
Rap Solo Performance: “Not Afraid,” Eminem
Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group: “On To The Next One,” Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz
Rap Song: “Empire State of Mind,” Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
Rap/Sung Collaboration: “Empire State Of Mind,” Jay-Z and Alicia Keys
Dance Recording: “Only Girl (In The World),” Rihanna
Electronic Dance Album: “La Roux,” La Roux
Musical Show Album: “American Idiot,” (Featuring Green Day)
Traditional World Music Album: “Ali And Toumani,” Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate
Contemporary World Music Album: “Throw Down Your Heart, Africa Sessions Part 2,” Bela Fleck
Latin Pop Album: “Paraiso Express,” Alejandro Sanz
Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album: “El Existenial,” Grupo Fantasma.
Tropical Latin Album: Viva La Tradicion, Spanish Harlem Orchestra.
Norteno Album: “Classic,” Intocable.
Banda Album: “Enamorate De Mi,” El Guero y su Banda Centenario.
Latin Jazz Album: “Chucho’s Steps,” Chucho Valdes and The Afro-Cuban Messengers.
Tejano Album: “Recuerdos,” Little Joe y La Familia.
Male Country Vocal Performance: “‘Til Summer Comes Around,” Keith Urban
Female Country Vocal Performance: “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert
Country Album: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
Country Performance by a Duo or Group: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum
Country Song: “Need You Now,” Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum)
Country Collaboration With Vocals: “As She’s Walking Away,” Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson
Contemporary Jazz Album: “The Stanley Clarke Band,” The Stanley Clarke Band
Jazz Vocal Album: “Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee,” Dee Dee Bridgewater
Jazz Instrumental Album: “Moody 4B,” James Moody
Improvised Jazz Solo: “A Change is Gonna Come,” Herbie Hancock
Large Ensemble Jazz Album: “Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard,” Mingus Big Band
Traditional Blues Album: “Joined At The Hip,” Pinetop Perkins & Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith
Contemporary Blues Album: “Living Proof,” Buddy Guy
Traditional Folk Album: “Genuine Negro Jig,” Carolina Chocolate Drops
Contemporary Folk Album: “God Willin’ and The Creek Don’t Rise,” Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: “Imagine,” Herbie Hancock and Larry Klein, arrangers (Herbie Hancock, Pink, Seal, Jeff Beck, India.Arie, Konono No 1 & Oumou Sangare)
Pop Instrumental Album: “Take Your Pick,” Larry Carlton and Tak Matsumoto
Pop Instrumental Performance: “Nessun Dorma,” Jeff Beck
Rock Instrumental Performance: “Hammerhead,” Jeff Beck
Bluegrass Album: “Mountain Soul II,” Patty Loveless
Americana Album: “You Are Not Alone,” Mavis Staples
Hawaiian Music Album: “Huana Ke Aloha,” Tia Carrere
Native American Music Album: “2010 Gathering Of Nations Pow Wow: A Spirit’s Dance,”(Various Artists) Derek Mathews, Dr. Lita Mathews & Melonie Mathews, producers (Gathering Of Nations Records)
Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album: “Zydeco Junkie,” Chubby Carrier and The Bayou Swamp Band
Reggae Album: “Before The Dawn,” Buju Banton
Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album: “The Reason,” Diamond Rio
New Age Album: “Miho: Journey To The Mountain,”Paul Winter Consort
Metal Performance: “El Dorado,” Iron Maiden
Country Instrumental Performance: “Hummingbyrd,” Marty Stuart
Musical Album For Children: “Tomorrow’s Children,” Pete Seeger with The Rivertown Kids and Friends
Spoken Word Album For Children: “Julie Andrews’ Collection Of Poems, Songs, And Lullabies,” Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Danger Mouse, for Broken Bells
Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: “One Love Club,” David Guetta and Afrojack’s remix of Madonna’s Revolver
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: “Love God. Love People,” Israel Houghton
Gospel Song: “It’s What I Do,” Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters
Gospel Performance: “Grace,” BeBe and CeCe Winans
Traditional Gospel Album: “Downtown Church,” Patty Griffin
Rock Or Rap Gospel Album: “Hello Hurricane,” Switchfoot
Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: “Still,” BeBe and CeCe Winans
Classical Album: “Verdi: Requiem,” Riccardo Muti, conductor; Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Symphony Chorus
Choral Performance: “Verdi: Requiem” Riccardo Muti, conductor; Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Chicago Symphony Chorus
Classical Contemporary Composition: “Michael Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony / Deus Ex Machina,” Giancarlo Guerrero
Classical Producer: David Frost
Orchestral Performance: “Daugherty: Metropolis Symphony; Deus Ex Machina,” Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor; Nashville Symphony
Opera Recording: “Saariaho: L’Amour De Loin,” Kent Nagano, conductor; Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin; Rundfunkchor Berlin
Spoken Word Album: “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Audiobook),” Jon Stewart
Comedy Album: “Stark Raving Black,” Lewis Black
Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media: “Crazy Heart,” (Various Artists) Stephen Bruton & T Bone Burnett, producers
Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media: “Toy Story 3,” Randy Newman, composer
Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media: The Weary Kind (From Crazy Heart) Ryan Bingham & T Bone Burnett, songwriters
Historical Album: The Beatles (The Original Studio Recordings)
Our Ovi App. @QMarkMag celebrates 3rd year anniversary. Top commenters get a chance to win items from 3stitches ( jackets, tees, caps, bracelets, wrist watches et al ), autographed compilation/albums, a record deal (artistes), dozens of recharge card, meal vouchers for UK residents at top Nigerian eateries, 30 tickets to the ‘alternative artistes’ concert & much more.
Get more From QMarkMag! Follow us on Twitter, Friend us on FB or Subscribe






