Grammy Nominees
'The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards,' music industry's premier event takes place tonight at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). Below the fold, Blackvoices.com will be live blogging the show brought to you by The Recording Academy, an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers.

8:01: 'Hairspray' actor Elijah Kelley served as ringleader for a circus themed opening act by Lady Gaga. The talked about pop star opened the ceremony clad in a Green bodysuit performing a scaled-down version of her hit song 'Poker Face.' After being thrown in a fire and reappeared on a piano with Elton John clad in matching glasses and face paint to perform 'Speechless' – a song dedicated to her father. She closed it with 'Thank you, I love you Sir Elton John.'

8:10: Stephen Colbert, a nominee this year for Best Comedy Album, made jokes about Susan Boyle, 'Glee.' Katy Perry and The Jonas Brothers, before introducing the winner for Song of the Year from his iPad, asking Jay-Z if he got one in his gift bag. Beyonce took home the trophy for 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),' but could not accept the award because she was preparing for her performance. Instead Tricky Stewart and The Dream accepted --they are the songwriters, along with Beyonce.

8:25: From the audience, Beyonce stormed the stage with a team of soldiers who just stood around. She sang 'If I Were A Boy' remixed with Alanis Morrisette's Grammy Award-winning song 'You Outta Know.' The medley was performed on her tour...so basically, no creativity with her Grammy performance.

8:38: Pink stripped her clothes and hopped on the thing in the club that the girls be on hanging from the ceiling. Then, they threw water on her and she dripped her wet body on the audience, all the while singing some ballad that no one really knows. One guy looked a bit pissed at the water being splashed on his fresh Grammy 'fit.

8:40: Poor Miss Keri Hilson. Baby lost Best New Artist to some band.

8:53: Black Eyed Peas in a space-themed performance of 'I'm A Be.' Fergie looked hot rapping with her silver visor and spacesuit. The moves were real throw-back and Will.I.Am transitioned into their Oprah-endorsed mega-hit 'I Got A Feeling.'

9:11: Kathy Griffin was visibly crushed she lost Best Comedy Album to Stephen Colbert and did an aw shucks motion.

9:18: A made-over Norah Jones presented Record of the Year to Kings of Leon for 'Use Somebody' upsetting both Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. They said 'We're not gonna lie, we're kinda drunk.' Honestly we love. Then they offered to buy shots to their friends who they missed in their acceptance speech.

9:21 Auto-tune and all, Jamie Foxx got the crowd on their feet for 'Blame It.' George Clinton was rocking hard. T-Pain was conducting the orchestra the whole time in a white wig unbeknown to the crowd. Doug E. Fresh popped out for a beat box ending to Foxx's Grammy Award-winning hit. Rock guitarist Slash and Jamie's kid sister got on stage, too. This was clearly one of the show's highlights.

9:45: Taylor Swift and playing guitar. *Kanye Shrug* (you can press fast forward)

9:55: In a heart-felt tribute to Michael Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson and Usher sang 'What About Us' along with the King of Pop. The lifetime achievement award was given to MJ's children Prince and Paris Jackson, who thanked their grandparents and God, as well as their father's fans. They also discussed their father's message of love and that he was supposed to perform at this year's Grammys.

10:19: Mos Def announced Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West won for 'Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. He took his nephew Juelz up to accept the award. Rih Rih looked a little uncomfortable accepting the award though.

10:26: Wyclef did a Haiti public service announcement.

10:28: Andrea Bocelli was joined by Mary J. Blige for a tribute song, 'Bridge Over Troubled Waters,' but Mary's blue dress was a little prom.

10:48: Beyonce took home Best Pop Vocal Performance for 'Halo' and her hubby looked genuinely happy for her. Cute. She thanked him and said 'I Love You.' The Carters are good at giving props at award shows.

10:57: Maxwell sang his comeback record 'Pretty Wings.' Roberta Flack joined him for 'Where Is the Love.'

11:05: Gaga spotting. She has on some type of lightening headpiece. Always fun spotting her outfit changes.

11:13: Lil' Wayne and Eminem rapped curse-word filled verses, most of which were blocked out with the delay. Funny to see Jaime Foxx with the flip-cam not being slick about recording the performance and Taylor Swift was out of her seat rocking. Travis Barker was on drums, too. Good look.

11:26 Taylor Swift took home the night's biggest honor Album of the Year *blank stare*