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Feature: Grammy Awards 2009 Re-cap

The Grammy Awards is the music industry's biggest night. But insiders, fans and the artist community don't merely buzz about who took home the statuette for Best Pop Vocal, Duo or Group! Rather, who wore what and the intensity of so-and-so's live performance are often blazing hot topics. Here's our rundown of the big night—who scored big and who knocked our socks off. Last night's event, surprisingly, wasn't overshadowed by the breaking, gossipy news that Chris Brown and girlfriend Rihanna cancelled their anticipated appearances at the event due to an alleged domestic dispute that took place between the two earlier in the day!

Last night, this year's ceremony was all about the pairings and couplings of artists performing together. The producers aimed to create interesting pairings, and they were successful at capturing the audience's attention because of it. While the non-nominated U2 was a surprising way to kick off the festivities off, the rest of the night was about duos and groups, and we're not just talking about the categories! Although it was a treat to see pop punk icons Blink-182 reunite onstage to present an award!

Coldplay's Chris Martin and Jay-Z hooked up for "Lost," with Martin seated at his piano when the rap impresario appeared to sing his parts! This live rendition was much more thrilling than the recorded one, however. They were followed by Carrie Underwood performing after them, looking smashing in a nude and gold ensemble, her blonde locks flowing. She's easily the most famous and most successful of the American Idols. Justin Timberlake performed twice, first with T.I. for the rapper's "Dead and Gone." They were onstage for a good five minutes, an eternity in Live TV-ville! JT was also backed up by Boyz II Men, Al Green and Keith Urban for a performance! There was also a Four Tops tributes, featuring Smokey Robinson, Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo offering their rendition of "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)," which was an excellent way to bridge the R&B/Motown generation and genre gap! Teen queens Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus partnered up for a duet of Swift's "Fifteen."

Paul McCartney and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl linked up, as well, in another legend-meets-legend-in-the-making pairing. The most extraordinary performance was delivered by Radiohead and the USC marching band in what many felt should have been the fete's opening salvo! Big winners Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, who were heavily rewarded for their collaboration, performed two songs, again, illustrating that tonight was all about the twos. The duo were also the night's big winners scoring five awards in total: Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals, Best Country Collaboration With Vocals and Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album.

Right behind them was Lil Wayne, a.k.a. Weezy, with a hearty four awards: Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group, and Best Rap Song. Then a host of other artists grabbed two awards each: Coldplay, Adele (including Best New Artist), R&B artists Al Green and Ne-Yo, John Mayer, Brad Paisley and Sugarland.

Female vocalists also sung their hearts out, with Jennifer Hudson and Katy Perry rocking out. Was there lip synching involved? Watch the YouTube clips and decided for yourself. A very preggers MIA performed, but it was clear her bun is very close to leaving the oven! Kudos to this woman for working until the 11th hour! It's also another example of a "pairing," since she's eating and living for two!

Stevie Wonder closed out the show, with little fanfare. Just his piano and harmonica, and of course, his signature sunglasses. Wonder’s stripped down set focused on what the Grammys need to completely focus on and that’s the music. There were more performances than awards and that was a smart move for producers look for ratings and to keep everyone in the crowd and at home interested!

Below is a recap of some of the key awards and winners!

Record of the Year

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Please Read the Letter,” from Raising Sand

Album of the Year

Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Song of the Year

“Viva la Vida,” by Coldplay

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

“Chasing Pavements,” by Adele

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

“Say,” by John Mayer

Best Pop Performance by A Duo or Group

“Viva la Vida, ” by Coldplay

Best Pop Vocal

Rockferry , by Duffy

Best Rock Performance by A Duo or Group

“Sex on Fire,” by Kings of Leon

Best Hard Rock Performance

“Wax Simulcara,” by The Mars Volta

Best Metal Performance

“My Apocalypse,” by Metallica

Best New Artist

Adele

Best Alternative Album

In Rainbows, by Radiohead

Best Country Album

Troubadour , by George Strait

Best Rock Album

“Viva la Vida,” by Coldplay

Best R&B Album

Jennifer Hudson, by Jennifer Hudson

Best Rap Album

Tha Carter III, by Lil Wayne

— Amy Sciarretto
02.09.09