Grammys to pit Beyonce against Swift

Image by bananawacky via Flickr

By Alan Duke, CNN
January 31, 2010 6:32 p.m. ES

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The battle between singers Beyonce and Taylor Swift for the most Grammys may provide the most drama, while appeals for Haiti earthquake relief and a tribute to Michael Jackson could bring the most emotion on Sunday's Grammy telecast.
Competition between Beyonce, with 10 Grammy nominations, and country-pop crossover sensation Swift, with eight, has been in the spotlight before.
Last fall, Kanye West famously interrupted Swift as she accepted an award at last the Video Music Awards, suggesting to the audience that Beyonce should have won.
West may have three chances to repeat his stunt, since Beyonce and Swift go head-to-head for record, song and album of the year. Lady Gaga was also nominated in those three categories.
Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said "a lot of the weird happens because it's live."
"When you're talking about three-and-a-half hours live, you never know what's going to happen," Portnow said. "It's spontaneous."
Portnow said he does know they'll be "some great Grammy moments."
The planned appearance of Michael Jackson's two eldest children during the musical tribute to their father promises to be one of those.
Prince Michael, 12, and Paris Katherine, 11, are expected to read a statement on behalf of the Jackson family, according to the family.
The youngest of the three -- 7-year-old Blanket -- is not expected to attend the show, although that could change, a family source said.
It was in the same venue -- the Staples Center arena -- that Paris Jackson delivered a spontaneous speech about her love for her father last July. The massive Michael Jackson memorial was the first time the public had heard from the children who were often hidden by veils or blankets when seen with their father.
"Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said. "And I just want to say that I love him so much."
Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson are among the performers who will take part Sunday.
Music producer Jimmy Jam told CNN after Saturday's rehearsal that the tribute to Jackson would be "very fitting, very classy, but technologically advanced."
The audience will put on 3-D glasses to watch a video produced by Jackson shortly before his death. It was based on his pro-environment "Earth Song" for use in his "This Is It" tour.
The American Red Cross will benefit from a Grammy performance by nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige and pop tenor Andrea Bocelli. After they sing Simon and Garfunkel's classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water," the recording will be sold through iTunes with proceeds going to the charity.
Just 22 of the 109 Grammy categories will be handed out during the CBS telecast, while the rest of the trophies were presented in a pre-telecast ceremony next door in the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The Grammy competition is much more than pop, rock, rap and country. There are 29 fields honored.
The best musical comeback story may be R&B singer Maxwell, who has been out of the spotlight for eight years. Maxwell's album "Blacksummers' Night" and hit single "Pretty Wings" brought him six Grammy nominations.
Canadian rapper Drake has two Grammy nominations -- for best rap song and best rap solo performance -- despite the fact he's never released an album. His hit "Best I Ever Had" was only released on a mix tape. He's still working on his album, which he hopes will be ready in March, he said.
The Black Eyed Peas have six nominations, including a record of the year nomination for their hit "I Gotta Feeling."
Alternative rock band Kings of Leon earned four nominations this year thanks to last year's "Only By The Night" album. The single "Use Somebody" is up for both song of the year and record of the year. The same album that gave them three nominations last year, one of which they won.
The five nominees for best new artist include the Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups and The Ting Tings. Lady Gaga, considered by many to be this year's biggest breakout act, was ruled ineligible because she had a song released and nominated last year.