MARIAH CAREY, JOHN LEGEND, U2, AND KANYE WEST WIN BIG AT GRAMMY AWARDS

The 48th Annual Grammy Awards opened with an animated set by the Gorillaz and De La Soul of their hit, “Feel Good Inc,” which was followed by a well-choreographed performance by the Material Girl herself, Madonna. The show also included performances by Coldplay, John Legend, Sugarland, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Bruce Springsteen, and Keith Urban.

U2, Mariah Carey, John Legend, and Kanye West were the evening’s big winners, each taking home three Grammy Awards. U2 took home the prestigious Song of the Year “Sometimes You Can’t Makie It On Your Own” and Album of the Year (How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb) while John Legend’s trophies included Best New Artist and Best R&B album. Carey brought her Grammy win total to five by grabbing trophies in the best R&B song, best contemporary R&B album, and best female R&B vocal performance categories.

“I had no idea. I had no, no, no idea. I would like to thank um, God. I’m glad I wrote it down. John Brion and I never do the thank you list but John Brion for being an inspiration to me to help make a better album and also to help make me a better person.”

Some of the evening’s other highlights include: U2 and Mary J. Blige’s performance of “One,” Paul McCartney’s historic first ever performance at the Grammy Awards, an all-star tribute to Sly and the Family Stone by John Legend, Joss Stone, Will.I.Am, Van Hunt, Ciara, Fantasia, Maroon 5, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Robert Randolph, Sly Stone joining the other stars for a jam session, Jay-Z and Linkin Park’s performance during which Paul McCartney joined them for a freestyle version of the Beatles’ “Yesterday,” Herbie Hancock playing the piano for Christina Aguilera, and special tributes to the late Richard Pryor and the city of New Orleans.

Kanye West, who also won best rap solo performance and best rap song, read from a prepared list of Thank Yous while accepting his award for best rap album. He said,

48TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS:rnRecord of the Year – Green Day – “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams”rnSong of the Year – U2 – “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own”rnAlbum of the Year – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic BandrnBest New Artist – John LegendrnBest Shortform Music Video – Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop – “Lose Control”rnBest Rap Album – Kanye West – Late RegistrationrnBest Performance By Duo Or Group – Black Eyed Peas – “Don’t Phunk With My Heart”rnBest Male R&B Vocal Performance – John Legend – “Ordinary People”rnBest Female R&B Vocal Performance – Mariah Carey – “We Belong Together”rnBest R&B Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocals – Stevie Wonder & Beyonce – “So Amazing”rnBest Traditional R&B Vocal Performance– Aretha Franklin – “House Is Not A Home”rnBest Urban/Alternative Performance – Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley – “Welcome to Jamrock”rnBest Reggae Album – Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley – Welcome To JamrockrnBest R&B Song – Mariah Carey, J. Austin, Jermaine Dupri, & Manuel Seal – “We Belong Together”rnBest R&B Album – John Legend – Get LiftedrnBest Contemporary R&B Album – Mariah Carey – The Emancipation Of Mimi rnBest Pop Collaboration With Vocals – Gorillaz featuring De La Soul – “Feel Good Inc.” rnBest Rap Solo Performance – Kanye West – “Gold Digger”rnBest Rap/Sung Collaboration – Jay-Z & Linkin Park – “Numb/Encore”rnBest Rap Song – Kanye West – “Diamonds From Sierra Leone”rnBest Male Pop Vocal Performance – Stevie Wonder – “From The Bottom Of My Heart” rnBest Female Pop Vocal Performance – Kelly Clarkson – “Since U Been Gone”rnBest Pop Vocal Album – Kelly Clarkson – BreakawayrnBest Rock Album – U2 – How To Dismantle An Atomic BandrnBest Country Album – Allison Krause & Union Station – Lonely Runs Both Ways