54th Grammy Nominations Announced on CBS

On Wednesday, November 30, 2011, CBS broadcast “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night,” a special event to announce the 54th Grammy Award nominations. Hosted by LL Cool J, the program featured lived performances that included collaborations with artists representing different music genres. The program also paid tribute to two music legends who died this past year.

Lady Gaga opened the program with a live performance of “Marry the Night,’ the fifth single from her latest album, “Born this Way.” As expected, the performance will likely be remembered for the over-the-top costumes and stage setting. She received Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.

Nicki Minaj followed with the nominees for Record of the Year. The list included “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, “Holocene” by Bon Iver, “Grenade” by Bruno Mars, “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons, and “Firework” by Katy Perry. Rihanna, a nominee that night, performed live from London.

After a performance by country trio The Band Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Academy-nominated actress and one of the stars of “Person of Interest,” announced the nominees for Song of the Year. This year’s nominees consisted of “All of the Lights” by Kanye West featuring Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Fergie, Elton John, et. al., “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons, “Grenade” by Bruno Mars, “Holocene” by Bon Iver, and “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele. Kanye West garnered the most nominations this year with seven.

Grammy winner Bruno Mars announced Best New Artist – The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, and Skrillex. I pick Nicki Minaj to win this category, but Bon Iver may win because the Grammy committee tends to pick the least-expected artists. Announcer Mars tied for the second-most nominations, getting six. (He joins Adele and Foo Fighters).

Rapper Ludacris joined country singer Jason Aldean to sing “Dirt Road Anthem.” The collaboration received a standing ovation.

The Grammy nomination paid tribute to “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. Grandmaster Flash joined other rappers to sing the classic song, including Common, Scorpion and host LL Cool J. Song is an inductee in this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Considered the greatest rap song in history, it already has the distinction of being the first hip-hop record added to the U.S. National Recording Registry.

The celebration also honored two songwriters who died this past year, Nick Ashford and Jerry Lieber. Valerie Simpson, Ashford’s widow and collaborator, joined Usher to sing a one of their greatest hits, “You’re All I Need.” Usher and Simpson followed with Jerry Lieber’s “Stand by Me.”

Katy Perry announced the nominees for Album of the Year. The list includes “21” by Adele, “Wasting Light” by Foo Fighters, “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans” by Bruno Mars, and “Loud” by Rihanna. The show closed with a performance by Lady Gaga and Sugarland.

The 54th Grammy Awards airs Sunday, February 12, 2012 on CBS. A complete list of the nominees is found on www.grammy.com.

Record of the Year

“Rolling in the Deep” – Adele

“Holocene” – Bon Iver

“Grenade” – Bruno Mars

“The Cave” – Mumford & Sons

“Firework” – Katy Perry

Song of the Year

“All of the Lights” – Kanye West featuring Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Fergie, Elton John, et. al.

“The Cave” – Mumford & Sons

“Grenade” – Bruno Mars

“Holocene” – Bon Iver

“Rolling in the Deep” – Adele

Best New Artist

The Band Perry

Bon Iver

J. Cole

Nicki Minaj

Skrillex

Album of the Year

“21” – Adele

“Wasting Light” – Foo Fighters

“Born this Way” – Lady Gaga

“Doo-Wops & Hooligans” – Bruno Mars

“Loud” – Rihanna

Source:

http://www.cbs.com/shows/grammys


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