2009 Grammy Awards: Something Old & New With Much Hip-Hop 'Swagga'

'The 51st Annual Grammy Awards' began on a rather sour note when it was announced two of the night's biggest performers, Rihanna and Chris Brown, were missing in action -- due to Brown being under investigation for an alleged altercation that took place in a vehicle early Sunday morning in Los Angeles.

However the glitzy pageantry went on with a slew of star-studded performances and collaborations mixing past Grammy winners with current/future winners alike, from Al Green and Justin Timberlake to Stevie Wonder and The Jonas Brothers. Even blues legends B.B. King and Buddy Guy played guitar with beloved pop crooner John Mayer and country hit-maker Keith Urban. Elsewhere in the show, legendary Motown Records soulsters Smokey Robinson and Duke Fakir were joined by Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo (who won two of the night's awards) for a tribute to The Four Tops.

Best-selling R&B diva Whitney Houston made a triumphant return to the Grammy stage to present "R&B Album of the Year" honors to Jennifer Hudson, who later received a standing ovation after performing her new single 'You Pulled Me Through.'

One of the main highlights of the night came from hip hop's "Rap Pack," featuring T.I., Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Jay-Z for their debut performance of 'Swagga Like Us.' Accompanied by a very pregnant M.I.A. (who was due for delivery at the time of the performance) and introduced by Queen Latifah, the four hip hop dons took the stage with their style and grace -- leaving fellow artists in attendance with their mouths open.

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Mel B Pictures

In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **

In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )

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Closing out the show, Lil Wayne alongside Robin Thicke and influential New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, closed out this year's show paying homage to Lil Wayne's hometown of New Orleans. They performed 'Tie My Hands' and 'Feet, Don't Fail Me Now,' accompanied by a Second Line/ Mardis Gras theme.

Weezy -- as he is known -- managed to win four of the coveted trophies tonight ("Best Rap Album," for 'Tha Carter III'; "Best Rap Solo Performance" for 'A Milli'; "Best Rap Song" for 'Lollipop'; and "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" for 'Swagga Like Us').

It wasn't a bad thing for the best-selling act of 2008, who received eight nominations for this year's honors. His latest album, 'Tha Carter III' amassed triple platinum status within the first six months of release.

Below is a list of the night's top awards....

1. Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: Alicia Keys -'Superwoman"

2. Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: Ne-Yo – 'Miss Independent'

3. Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: Al Green (featuring John Legend) – 'Stay With Me (By the Sea)'

4. Best Urban/Alternative Performance: Chrisette Michele (featuring will.i.am) – 'Be OK'

5. Best R&B Song: Ne-Yo – 'Miss Independent'

6. Best R&B Album: Jennifer Hudson – 'Jennifer Hudson'

7. Best Contemporary R&B Album: Mary J. Blige – 'Growing Pains'

8. Best Rap Solo Performance: Lil Wayne – 'A Milli'

9. Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Jay-Z & T.I. (Kanye West & Lil Wayne) – 'Swagga Like Us'

10. Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: Estelle (featuring Kanye West) – 'American Boy'

11. Best Rap Song: Lil Wayne – 'Lollipop'

12. Best Rap Album: Lil Wayne – 'Tha Carter III'

MORE GRAMMY WINNERS >>>

They Never Won One

They Never Won One
As the Grammy awards marks its 51st anniversary of celebrating the latest and greatest acts in music, BlackVoices.com wanted to take a look at the music makers who never received the coveted honor. Although legends like Diana Ross, Bob Marley and Nina Simone and chart-toppers such as Brian McKnight, Bobby Brown, Vanessa Williams, Cheryl Lynn and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly churned out memorable music through the years, they never won one. Black music industry expert David Nathan offers insight into why.

Artist: Diana Ross
Genre: R&B, Pop
Notable Recordings: 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'Endless Love,' 'I'm Coming Out'
Expert Opinion: "Perhaps the most shocking omission from the list of past Grammy recipients is the 'Boss' (sorry, Bruce!) It's a complete mystery why Diana's peers, Aretha and Dionne, are both Grammy winners. In spite of numerous great recordings, she's been completely ignored. No Grammy, no Hall Of Fame, nada. Maybe it's time for her Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and time for fans to start a petition!"

Artist: Nina Simone
Genre: Jazz, Pop, Classical
Notable Recordings: 'Young, Gifted & Black,' 'Feeling Good,' 'A Little Sugar In My Bowl'
Expert Opinion

Artist: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly
Genre: R&B
Notable Recordings: 'Joy And Pain,' 'Happy Feelings'
Expert Opinion: "Even on a bad day, Frankie and the guys can sell out any concert to loyal steadfast black audiences! Maze had hit after hit and constant gold albums throughout the '70s and '80s but never crossed to mainstream audiences. That's the only explanation for why neither has been Grammy awarded."

Artist: Brian McKnight
Genre: R&B, Pop
Notable Recordings: 'One Last Cry,' 'Anytime,' 'You Should Be Mine'
Expert Opinion: "This is a mystery. Brian's had crossover success as a solo artist -- and with Vanessa Williams ('Love Is'). Other soul crooners/balladeers (Peabo Bryson, James Ingram) have gotten Grammy nods -- so what gives? The same could be said of Will Downing, although his lack of mainstream recognition may be the reason he's been ignored."

Artist: Fantasia Barrino
Genre: R&B
Notable Recordings: 'I Believe,' 'Free Yourself,' 'Baby Mama'
Expert Opinion: "It just hasn't been Fantasia's Grammy year, yet but it's not too late. She's still relatively new, and all she needs is a brilliant new album and she'll get hers! "

Artist: Grace Jones
Genre: Funk, Disco, R&B
Notable Songs: 'Pull Up To The Bumper,' 'Slave To The Rhythm'
Expert Opinion: "Times maybe a-changin', but the androgynous Ms. Grace was obviously too much for the more conservative wing of the Recording Academy."

Artist: Cheryl Lynn
Genre: R&B, Disco
Notable Recordings: 'Got To Be Real,' 'Encore'
Expert Opinion: "'Got To Be Real' was probably Cheryl's best bet for getting a Grammy and that was in 1979! Unfortunately, the lack of more hits diminished her chances for winning one after that."

Artist: Angie Stone
Genre: R&B
Notable Recordings: 'No More Rain (In This Cloud),' 'I Wish I Didn't Miss You,' 'Baby'
Expert Opinion: Well, Angie's never exactly been the darling of the inner sanctum of the music biz and sometimes comes across with a little 'tude. While the Grammys are about artistic merit, a little friendliness to music biz peeps might not hurt. The late and greatly talented Esther Phillips had the same problem!"

Artist: Millie Jackson
Genre: R&B
Notable Recordings: 'All The Way Lover,' 'Ask Me What You Want' 'Act of War' (with Elton John)
Expert Opinion: "Anyone who records the 'Phuck You Symphony' would never have exactly win favors with the play-it-safe Grammy folks of the '70s and '80s when Millie ruled. Not that she cared. Millie's always been making real music for real people."