The 55th Annual Grammy Awards

BY VICTORIA KRUKENKAMP
SC Staff Writer

“Music’s Biggest Night,” the 55th Annual Grammy Awards was held this past Sunday, February 10, 2013 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, where ‘90s rapper LL Cool J hosted the vent for his second time.

Highlight performances included opening act Taylor Swift performing her recent hit “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together;” Elton John and Ed Sheeran performing “The A Team;” Fun. Performing “Carry On;” Maroon 5 and Alicia Keys performing “Daylight” and “Girl on Fire;” and Carrie Underwood performing “Blown Away” and “Two Black Cadillacs.”

Justin Timberlake’s long anticipated return to music was brought to the Grammy stage with the performance of his new hit single “Suit and Tie,” and his new song “Pusher Love Girl,” both of which are from his forthcoming album “The 20/20 Experience,” which is set to release on March 19, 2013. Timberlake performed with Jay-Z after a comical introduction by Ellen DeGeneres and Beyoncé.

The show included several tribute performances, including a tribute to Bob Marley by Bruno Mars, Rihanna, Sting, Damian Marley and Ziggy Marley; as well, there was a tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award Winners, Patti Page and Carole King, sung by Kelly Clarkson.

There was also a tribute to deceased Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch by Travis Barker, Chuck D, LL Cool J, Tom Morello and DJ Z-Trip.  The group performed the Beastie Boys hit “No Sleep till Brooklyn” and “Refuse to Lose.”  Yauch died on May 4, 2012 after a three-year battle with cancer.

Members of the Recording Industry Association of America determine Grammy winners by ballot vote.  A nomination committee that reviews all submissions sets the ballot that is sent to the members for vote.  This year’s winners included:

Record of the Year – Gotye featuring Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know”

Album of the Year – Mumford & Sons “Babel”

Song of the Year – Fun. Featuring Janelle Monae “We Are Young”

Best New Artist – Fun.

Best Pop Vocal Album – Kelly Clarkson “Stronger”

Best Dance/Electronica Album – Skrillex “Bangarang”

Best Rock Album – The Black Keys “El Camino”

Best Alternative Music Album – Gotye “Making Mirrors”

Best R&B Album – Robert Glasper Experiment “Black Radio”

Best Rap Album – Drake “Take Care”

Best Country Album – Zac Brown Band “Uncaged”

Best New Age Album – Omar Akram “Echoes of Love”

Best Music Video – Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris “We Found Love”

This year’s Grammy Awards were broadcasted by CBS, and the company wanted to be sure that it was a family appropriate event.  CBS’s Standards and Practices Committee emailed a “Wardrobe Advisory” to the events attendees warning against sheer or nude clothing.  The stars, of course, still pushed the envelope, notably by Kelly Rowland in her figure hugging black dress with extreme cutouts.

The email didn’t prevent a wardrobe malfunction for Kelly Clarkson and Miranda Lambert when Clarkson was approaching the stage to receive her award.  Though both stars were dressed conservatively, the sparkles of Lambert’s dress hooked into Clarkson’s dress during a congratulatory hug between the two powerful singers.

Clarkson included the humorous moment in her acceptance speech.

“I got stuck on Miranda Lambert.  There’s a story and a song.  For later, after alcohol,” joked Clarkson.

Wardrobe being the hot topic of the Grammy’s, Carrie Underwood’s unique dress was said to have stolen the show.  Made especially for her performance, the dress’s full skirt was used as a projection screen that showed various images while she sang.

“They can do a lot of amazing things with projectors these days,” Underwood, who won a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance, said to reporters backstage.  She continued, “We had a dress especially made.  I said I should take that home and we can watch movies on it.”

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards wrapped up the year in music, and now the public has another year of music to look forward to for the 56th chapter of the Grammy Awards’ book.

Email Victoria at:
vkrukenkamp@live.esu.edu