Who got the most nods?
Kanye West, who earned seven nominations…. in nearly every category but the one that likely meant the most to him, Album of the Year for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Adele, Bruno Mars, and the Foo Fighters scored six nods each. Lil Wayne and Skrillex have five. Drake, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Cee Lo Green, Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, and Bon Iver have four. And Lady Gaga picked up three.
So who was nominated for Album of the Year?
Adele’s 21, Foo Fighters’ Wasting Light, Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, Bruno Mars’ Doo-Wops & Hooligans, and Rihanna’s Loud.
And Record and Song of the Year?
Record (artist award): Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” Bon Iver’s “Holocene,” Bruno Mars’ “Grenade,” Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave,” and Katy Perry’s “Firework.”
Song (songwriter award): Kanye West’s “All of the Lights,” Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave,” Bruno Mars’ “Grenade,” Bon Iver’s “Holocene,” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”
Wait a minute, some of these songs and albums seem really old. What’s going on?
That is true! However, in order to be eligible for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, songs and albums had to be released between September 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Whose name got mangled the worst during the nomination show?
Tie: Bon Iver’s named was pronounced three different ways, but Nicki Minaj’s name was misspelled on the giant screen in a major fail.
And how many of those folks are competing for Best New Artist?
Both! Justin Vernon and Onika Miraj are facing off against the Band Perry, J Cole, and Skrillex.
Wait a minute again. These artists aren’t all “new”!?
You are correct again, friend. But the rules for this category are a little wacky. To be eligible, an artist has to have simply never won a Grammy before, have released at least one album (but not more than three), and have not been entered for Best New Artist more than three times (even as a member of a group).
But hey, Bon Iver got four nominations!
Yes he did!
Who is buff?
Melle Mel. He made LL Cool J look like a well-dressed twig during a special performance of “The Message” that also included Lupe Fiasco and Common.
Who else performed?
Lady Gaga opened and closed the show with performances of “Marry the Night” and “Yoü and I” (the latter with Sugarland). She evidently told her makeup artist she wanted a really smoky eye. Ludacris rapped with country star Jason Aldean and slid his hands around a Les Paul for a minute. Rihanna beamed in “We Found Love” via pre-tape from London. Usher performed a touching tribute to deceased songwriters Nick Ashford and Jerry Leiber.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=kwlIdI_nr2E
How many nominees have a miniature horse?
One SPIN can confirm: Megadeth got a nod for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. And Dave Mustaine has a tiny horse.
Who got only one nomination and will still have to rent a tux?
Fleet Foxes, Eddie Vedder, Daft Punk, Arcade Fire, Danger Mouse, and TV on the Radio.
Did Betty White get a nod? Please?
Why, yes she did! For Best Spoken Word Album.
Did any SPIN guest editors get a nod? Pretty please?
Yes again! Our “Funny” issue chief Patton Oswalt picked up a nod for Finest Hour. Congrats, boss!
SPIN is very excited about:
Robyn’s pair of nominations (“Call Your Girlfriend” for Best Dance Recording and Body Talk, Pt. 3 for Best Dance/Electronica Album), the fact that Amy Winehouse received a posthumous nod (Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her Tony Bennett duet “Body and Soul”), the fact that a track named “Barbra Streisand” and the actual Barbra Streisand will be competing for trophies the same night, the fact that Thom Yorke is actually being honored for his ridiculous dancing in the “Lotus Flower” video, and that “Weird Al” Yankovic picked up two nominations.
So when do the Grammys go down, anyway?
February 12, 2012 at 8 p.m. ET in Los Angeles. The show will air live on CBS.
