Hip-Hop was a big winner at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards last night in Los Angeles, California even though there were some notable omissions when the victories were tallied.Outkast took home three awards, including Album of the Year for their best-seller, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.The group perhaps had the most exciting performances in a very stiff, cautious night.Big Boi was backed up by legendary act Earth Wind & Fire in a searing rendition of “I Like The Way You Move.”Before Big Boi took to the stage, EWF performed to the glee of the onlookers. When accepting one of their three awards, the group brought ousted Arista CEO L.A. Reid on the stage, giving him praise and offered a serious message to their newer fans.”Outkast did not start with Stankonia,” Andre 3000 told the crowd. “Go back and check your history.”Closing the evening, Dre delivered one of the more entertaining live performances by dancing in Native American-themed costumes and then bringing the USC Trojan Marching Band on the stage to perform “Hey Ya.”Eminem and Jay-Z took home two awards and Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo won a Grammy for best producer.Snoop attended with real life former pimp Bishop “Magic” Don Juan to present an award.50 Cent, who was originally scheduled to perform, was the biggest artist who didn’t receive any awards.Still, the rapper went on stage and gave Evanescence lead singer Amy Lee a kiss after the rock group beat him in the best new artist category.Justin Timberlake, half of the CBS Super Bowl debacle, received an award for Best Male Pop Vocal performance.”I know it’s been a rough week for everyone,” Timberlake said laughing. “What occured (during the Superbowl) was completely regrettable, and I apologize if you guys are offended.”Of all the winners, Beyonce was the biggest, taking home five Grammys, and tying the record for the most wins by a female artist.
