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50th Grammy® Awards Coverage

Welcome to DigitalHit.com's coverage of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards.

The nominations for the Grammys were announced on December 6th, 2007, while the ceremony took place on February 10th, 2008.

8:00 PM ET

After an old clip of Frank Sinatra discussing the Grammys, Alicia Keys duets with a film clip of Ol' Blue Eyes. She then welcomes the audience to the 50th Grammy Awards.

8:05 PM ET

Carrie Underwood is the second performer. Joined by a group of Stomp-like dancers she performs "Before He Cheats".

8:09 PM ET

Prince struts out onto the stage next. He's presenting Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. And the Grammy Award goes to Alicia Keys for "No One". She thanks God, her angels, family, label and team.

8:17 PM ET

Jimmy Jam starts to speak but this is just a set-up for the reunion of The Time. Part way through "Jungle Love" they're joined by the gorgeous Rihanna and her "Umbrella" which then morphs into "Don't Stop The Music" and back into "Jungle Love".

8:23 PM ET

Tom Hanks pays tribute to Lifetime Achievement recipients, The Band. He then introduces a tribute to The Beatles. He introduces two Beatles-inspired nominees: Cirque du Soleil's Love and a rendition of "A Day in the Life" and Julie Taymor's Across the Universe and a gospel-tinged "Let It Be".

8:33 PM ET

Cyndi Lauper and Miley Cyrus introduce the nominees for Best New Artist. And the Grammy Award goes to Amy Winehouse, who's not there.

8:35 PM ET

We cut to outside the Staples Center where Jason Bateman introduces a chance for a contest winner to perform with the Foo Fighters in the My Grammy Moment contest. That performance will be coming up.

8:45 PM ET

Another performance this time by Kanye West. It includes a tribute to his late mother.

8:52 PM ET

John Legend and Fergie take to a small stage in the middle of the audience to perform "Finally". They then present the Soundtrack Grammy. And the Grammy Award goes to The Beatles' Love. Ringo Starr and Sir George Martin accept.

9:03 PM ET

Cher jokes that she first started singing when Lincoln was president. She intros Beyoncé, whose musical intro pays tribute to African-American female singers before she in turn introduces Tina Turner. Tina performs "What's Love Got to Do With It" and "Better Be Good to Me" before Beyoncé comes back and joins her in "Proud Mary".

9:13 PM ET

Nelly Furtado, Andy Williams and Roselyn Sánchez pay tribute to Lifetime Acievement recipient Burt Bacharach before presenting Song of the Year. And the Grammy Award goes to Amy Winehouse for "Rehab". Amy, as we mentioned before, is not there.

9:21 PM ET

Jason Bateman introduces the winner of My Grammy Moment, Ann Marie Calhoun. She bow performs with the Foo Fighters and an orchestra conducted by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.

9:32 PM ET

George Lopez takes to the stage to introduce a performance by Brad Paisley.

9:37 PM ET

Chris Brown, Akon and Solange are presenting Best Rap Album. And the Grammy Award goes to Kanye West for "Graduation". Always modest, Kanye tells Common, a fellow nominee, that he should know better than to drop an album the same year as him. He starts getting played off as he rambles, but then chastises the producers for still playing the music when he talks about his late mother.

9:41 PM ET

Ludacris pays tribute to the late Cab Calloway, a Lifetime Achievement recipient, before introducing the gospel nominees Bebe Winans, Aretha Franklin, Madison Bumblebees, the Clark Sisters, Trini-I-Tee 5:7, Israel and New Breed.

9:56 PM ET

Carole King and Dierks Bentley pay tribute to Earl Scruggs before introducing a performance by Feist.

9:59 PM ET

Keely Smith, thw winner of the first ever Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus for "That Ol' Black Magic" performs her old hit with, of all people, Kid Rock. After the song they present Best Rock Album. And the Grammy Award goes to "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace" by the Foo Fighters.

10:11 PM ET

The next presenter is the legendary Stevie Wonder. He pays tribute to Motown founder Berry Gordy. He then introduces another performance by Alicia Keys. John Mayer solos during her performance.

10:17 PM ET

Ringo Starr and Dave Stewart duet on presenting Best Country Album. And the Grammy Award goes to Vince Gill for "These Days". "I just got an award given to me by a Beatle. Have you had that happen yet, Kanye?"

10:25 PM ET

Joe Mantegna pays tribute to Itzhak Perlman and Max Roach, two lifetime achievement recipients before presenting a performance of Rhapsody in Blue by Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang.

10:33 PM ET

Taylor Swift and Juanes are presenting Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. And the Grammy Award goes to "Umbrella" by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z. She says, "Dad, I know I promised I'd give you my first Grammy, but we might have to fight for this one."

10:40 PM ET

Live from London, Cuba Gooding Jr. presents a performance by Amy Winehouse. Not sure how rehab is treating her, but the troubled singer and tabloid fave does seem a little cleaner tonight. Of course that is a relative statement.

10:47 PM ET

Natalie Cole and Tony Bennett pay tribute to Doris Day. They then announce the nominees for Record of the Year. And the Grammy Award goes to Amy Winehouse for "Rehab". The, um, stunned singer hugs everybody in London before finally realizing the folks at the Grammys may expect her to say a few words before the telecast ends up rolling into Monday. We're then informed this year's Trustee recipients:Clarence Avant, Jac Holzman, and Willie Mitchell.

10:56 PM ET

NARAS CEO Neil Portnow makes his annual speech. Besides talking about all the great charitable work the Academy does, he also pays tribute to the WGA and its strike. He then introduces a tribute to Oscar Peterson by young jazz pianist Eldar, then the annual In Memoriam segment.

11:04 PM ET

Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban then pay tribute to the late Luciano Pavarotti.

11:12 PM ET

Bonnie Raitt now introduces a performance by Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and John Fogerty.

11:24 PM ET

Will.i.am pays tribute to the Grammys 50th with a mashup of hits of the past.

11:26 PM ET

Quincy Jones, winner of 27 (!) Grammys joins Usher in presenting Album of the Year. Usher makes a point of saying "There are no losers in this category...Kanye." And the Grammy Award goes to a very shocked, but not as shocked as Kanye West, Herbie Hancock for his album "River: The Joni Letters". I'm sure we'll have a few choice quotes from Kanye after the ceremony, because as we all know he's a sore loser.

Here's the complete list of winners:

Record Of The Year


(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s), if other than the artist.)

Album Of The Year

(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s)/Mixer(s) & Mastering Engineer(s), if other than the artist.)

Song Of The Year

(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best New Artist

(For a new artist who releases, during the Eligibility Year, the first recording which establishes the public identity of that artist.)

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

(For established duos or groups, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Pop Instrumental Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Pop Instrumental Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Best Pop Vocal Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Dance Recording

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.)

Best Electronic/Dance Album

(For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.)

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Hard Rock Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Metal Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rock Instrumental Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rock Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock & Metal songs. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rock Album

(Vocal or Instrumental. Includes Hard Rock and Metal.)

Best Alternative Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

(For duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Urban/Alternative Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best R&B Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best R&B Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Contemporary R&B Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Rap Solo Performance

(For a solo Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group

(For duo, group or collaborative performances of Rap only. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

(For a Rap/Sung collaborative performance by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rap Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rap Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Female Country Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Male Country Vocal Performance

(For a solo vocal performance. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

(For established duos or groups with vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals

(For a collaborative performance, with vocals, by artists who do not normally perform together. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Country Instrumental Performance

(For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances, without vocals. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Country Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Country Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Bluegrass Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best New Age Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Contemporary Jazz Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Best Jazz Vocal Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Jazz Instrumental Solo

(For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter's name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

(For large jazz ensembles, including big band sounds. Albums must contain 51% or more INSTRUMENTAL tracks.)

Best Latin Jazz Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Gospel Performance

(For solo, duo, group as collaborative performances. Singles or tracks with vocal containing Gospel lyrics. All genres of Gospel music are eligible.)

Best Gospel Song

(A Songwriter(s) Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Traditional Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album

(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Best Latin Pop Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Latin Rock Or Alternative Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Latin Urban Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Tropical Latin Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Mexican/Mexican-American Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Tejano Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Norteño Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Banda Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Traditional Blues Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Contemporary Blues Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Traditional Folk Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Native American Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Hawaiian Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Reggae Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Traditional World Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Contemporary World Music Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Polka Album

(Vocal or Instrumental.)

Best Musical Album For Children

(For albums consisting of predominantly music or song vs. spoken word.)

Best Spoken Word Album For Children

(For albums consisting of predominantly spoken word vs. music or song.)

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Story Telling)

Best Comedy Album

(For comedy recordings, spoken or musical)

Best Musical Show Album

(Award to the Album Producer(s), and to the Lyricist(s) & Composer(s) of 51% or more of a new score. (Artist, Lyricist & Composer names appear in parentheses.))

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media

(Award to the Artist(s) and/or Producer(s) of a majority of the tracks on the album, or to the individual(s) actively responsible for the concept and musical direction and for the selection of artists, songs and producers, as applicable.)

Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media

(Award to Composer(s) for an original score created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current legitimate motion picture, television show or series or other visual media.)

Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media

(A Songwriter(s) award. For a song (melody & lyrics) written specifically for a motion picture, television or other visual media, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Instrumental Composition

(A Composer's Award for an original composition (not an adaptation) first released during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Instrumental Arrangement

(An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)

(An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Recording Package

Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package

Best Album Notes

Best Historical Album

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

(An Engineer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses.))

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical

(A Producer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses.))

Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical

(A Remixer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses for identification.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Best Surround Sound Album

(For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.)

Best Engineered Album, Classical

(An Engineer's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.))

Producer Of The Year, Classical

(A Producer's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.))

Best Classical Album

(Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s) if other than the Artist.)

Best Orchestral Performance

(Award to the Conductor and to the Orchestra.)

Best Opera Recording

(Award to the Conductor, Album Producer(s) and Principal Soloists.)

Best Choral Performance

(Award to the Choral Conductor, and to the Orchestra Conductor if an Orchestra is on the recording, and to the Choral Director or Chorus Master if applicable.)

Best Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra)

(Award to the Instrumental Soloist(s) and to the Conductor.)

Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra)

(Award to the Instrumental Soloist.)

Best Chamber Music Performance

(Award to the Artists.)

Best Small Ensemble Performance

(Award to the Ensemble (and to the Conductor.))

Best Classical Vocal Performance

(Award to the Vocal Soloist(s).)

Best Classical Contemporary Composition

(A Composer's Award. (For a contemporary classical composition composed within the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year.))

Best Classical Crossover Album

(Award to the Artist(s) and/or to the Conductor.)

Best Short Form Music Video

(For an individual track or single promotional clip. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer.)

Best Long Form Music Video

(For video album packages consisting of more than one song or track. Award to the Artist and to the Video Director/Producer of at least 51% of the total playing time.)