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53rd Grammy® Awards Coverage

Nominees list

Welcome to DigitalHit.com's coverage of the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on February 13th, 2011. The nominations for the awards were announced at a star-studded concert hosted by LL Cool J on December 1st, 2010.

8:01 PM

The show begins with a tribute to Aretha Franklin. LL Cool J says that "Aretha Franklin is — and always will be — the Queen of Soul." He then introduces a performance by Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Yolanda Adams and Martina McBride. It concludes with a video message from Aretha.

8:20 PM

The ladies are now presenting Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals. And the Grammy goes to Train for "Hey, Soul Sister." They thank Justin Bieber "for not being a duo or group."

8:22 PM

Wearing some bizarre skinny silver jeans, Ricky Martin introduces the performance by Lady Gaga, whose new song sounds like Madonna's "Express Yourself." They announced Gaga's performance as the one you'd be talking about tomorrow and I've already forgotten it.

8:33 PM

Miranda Lambert's performance is introduced by her fiance, Blake Shelton.

8:38 PM

Lenny Kravitz intros a performance by Muse.

8:49 PM

Ryan Seacrest introduces a performance by Bruno Mars, BoB and Janelle Monae.

8:58 PM

Dierks Bentley and Zac Brown present Best Female Country Vocal Performance. And the Grammy goes to Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me."

9:05 PM

Eva Longoria introduces a performance by Justin Bieber and Usher. This moment is also known as the end of civilization. Jaden Smith joins them, meaning we're just missing one of the horsemen of the apocalypse.

9:13 PM

Paramore and Pauley Perrette present Best Rock Album. And the Grammy goes to Muse's "The Resistance."

9:20 PM

Selena Gomez and Donnie Wahlberg present Best Pop Vocal Album. And the Grammy goes to Lady Gaga's "The Fame Monster."

9:24 PM

We get a David Letterman Top Ten of Grammy Surprises. He then introduces a performance by Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers.

9:39 PM

Lea Michele and Clay Matthews introduce Lady Antebellum, who pay tribute to Teddy Pendergrass as well as performing their own material.

9:44 PM

Miley Cyrus and Kings of Leon present Best Country Album. And the Grammy goes to Lady Antebellum for "Need You Now."

9:46 PM

Jamie Foxx introduces a Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow performnce of the song otherwise known as "Forget You." Green's band is a bunch of puppets.

9:56 PM

Neil Patrick Harris intros a performance by Katy Perry. As she rises up on swing, a film of her marriage to Russell Brand is projected on to the draperies.

10:02 PM

John Mayer, Norah Jones and Keith Urban perform Dolly Parton's "Jolene". They then present Song of the Year. And the Grammy goes to Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now".

10:12 PM

Seth Rogen comes out saying he was backstage smoking up with Miley Cyrus. He then introduces Rihanna, Adam Levine, Eminem, Skylar Grey and Dr. Dre. Best performance so far.

10:20 PM

Jewel and John Legend are presenting Best New Artist. And the Grammy goes to Esperanza Spalding. The Biebs looks a little shocked.

10:28 PM

Glee's Matthew Morrison introduces the Grammy prez, Neil Portnow. He talks about the Academy's work to keep music education alive.

10:32 PM

Matthew Morrison then introduces this year's In Memoriam segment.

10:35 PM

Mick Jagger pays tribute to the late Solomon Burke.

10:46 PM

Kris Kristofferson introduces a performance by Barbra Streisand, the MusiCares Person of the Year.

10:50 PM

Nicki Minaj and Will.i.am present Best Rap Album. And the Grammy goes to Eminem's "Recovery".

10:58 PM

Puff Daddy slowly introduces Rihanna and Drake.

11:02 PM

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony present Record of the Year. And the Grammy goes to Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now".

11:11 PM

Jason Segel introduces Arcade Fire.

11:21 PM

Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand team up to present Album of the Year. And the Grammy goes to Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs".

Here is the full 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. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (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. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (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. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (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. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

Best Country 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 Improvised Jazz 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. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (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, Alternative Or Urban Album

Vocal or Instrumental.

Best Tropical Latin Album

Vocal or Instrumental.

Best Tejano Album

Vocal or Instrumental.

Best Norteño Album

Vocal or Instrumental.

Best Banda Album

Vocal or Instrumental.

Best Americana Album

Vocal or Instrumental.

Best Bluegrass 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 Album

Vocal or Instrumental.

Best Hawaiian Music Album

Vocal or Instrumental.

Best Native American 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 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, in the absence of either, 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.) Award to the librettist, if applicable.

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.