The 2011 Grammy Awards took place last year so to celebrate that Billboard have come up with a list of who they think had the top 10 performances of the last 10 years. Take a look and see if you agree with any of them.
10. Gorillaz, Madonna & De La Soul, 2006
The 48th Grammys started off as no other Grammys had before — with an opening band that wasn’t even three-dimensional. Animated act Gorillaz took to the stage to perform the Record of the Year-nominated “Feel Good Inc.,” joined briefly by the real De La Soul and a hologram of Madonna. But when the real Madge appeared onstage moments later to perform her 2005 hit “Hung Up,” with its sexy dancing and ABBA samples, the Grammy crowd truly let loose.
Radiohead may have shunned the music industry in 2007 when it delivered “In Rainbows” straight to fans using a pay-what-you-want online download, but the band proved it could still play to the Academy (literally) at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Joined by the USC Marching Band, Thom Yorke and co. performed a rendition of “15 Step” that was so rousing, even the frontman shared some of his twitchy dance moves. Eat your heart out, Fleetwood Mac.
8. Kanye West & Daft Punk, 2008
When Kanye West released “Stronger” as a single in 2007, it seemed written in the stars that the rapper and Daft Punk, who is sampled on the tune, would join forces and perform together. At 2008′s 50th Grammys, that’s exactly what happened. Note to the Black Eyed Peas: THIS is how you do a light show!
7. Lady Gaga & Elton John, 2010
Lady Gaga’s performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards was classic not only for its over-the-top theatrics, but for Elton John’s appearance on “Speechless” and the duo’s duet on Elton’s classic “Your Song.” The best part? The conjoined mega-piano Gaga and Elton played on, not to mention the pair’s matching rhinestone glasses.
For the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2010, P!nk took a few lessons from Spider-Man and gave a show-stopping performance of aerial, acrobatic brilliance. P!nk may not have walked away with any trophies that night, but thanks to her high-flying rendition of “Glitter in the Air,” she was the artist everyone was talking about come Monday morning.
5. Beyonce & Tina Turner, 2008
Beyonce and Tina Turner were “rolling, rolling, rolling” as they lit up the stage with their performance of Turner’s “Proud Mary” at the 50th annual Grammys. The show-stopping, glitz and glamour-filled duet proved that Tina still had it, and no one –not even B — was going to take it away from her.
4. T.I., Jay-Z, M.I.A., Lil Wayne & Kanye, 2009
It was as though a new rap supergroup (“the rap pack” seems fitting) formed at the 2009 Grammy Awards, when all facets of hip-hop joined forces for one killer performance of T.I. and Jay-Z’s “Swagga Like Us.” Lil Wayne and Kanye West held their own as usual, but it was a pregnant M.I.A. who stole the show in her sheer polka-dot dress. The fiesty diva didn’t just look like she was about to pop — she actually gave birth three days later.
3. Usher & James Brown, 2005
Between Usher’s Michael Jackson-esque moves during the performance of his 2004 single “Caught Up” and James Brown’s fancy footwork on “Sex Machine,” the two R&B titans’ duet at the 47th Grammys was one to remember. Check out the dance-off toward the end of the set — you can almost see the exact moment when the crown was passed.
2. Melissa Etheridge & Joss Stone, 2005
Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone may seem like an unlikely pairing, but when you throw Janis Joplin into the equation, it makes perfect sense. Both songstresses possess their own unpolished soulfulness and rock stylings, which proved to be a powerful match in a tribute to Joplin at the 2005 Grammys. Stone started off with “Cry Baby” before being joined by Etheridge, who triumphantly made a return to the stage after being diagnosed with breast cancer one year earlier.
1. Eminem & Elton John, 2001
Eminem infuriated the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation with the homophobia-tinged lyrics on his 2000 album “The Marshall Mathers LP,” and the organization protested the 2001 Grammys because of his involvement. But gay activist Elton John crossed the picket lines and joined Em’s performance of “Stan” at the ceremony in a move that was musically powerful, as well as political.
I agree with most of these but I would have added Christina Aguilera‘s performance of It’s A Man World to the list and maybe ranked Kanye West higher.
Rapper T.I. did a good deed by helping talk down a suicidal jumper off of a 22-foot ledge. He recorded a special message for the jumper, then met up with him to keep in touch.
But all of the good deeds in the world couldn’t save him from his probation violation hearing. He had his probation revoked by a judge today and was sentenced to eleven months in prison.
It all stems from an incident last month, where he and wife Tiny were making a U-turn in Hollywood when they were popped by the cops for pot. They were then charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, after police found ecstasy in their car.
One of the officers who dealt with the jumping incident testified on T.I.’s behalf and the rapper begged the judge not to send him back to prison.
source: T.I. Gets Probation Revoked, Sentenced to 11 Months – [tmz]
He’s only out of prison since December but rapper T.I. is already in trouble with the police again, this time for possession of a controlled substance.
T.I. and his wife, Tameka Cottle, were driving down Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles last night when they got pulled over. Just like with Paris Hilton, the cops say they smelled a big of marijuana coming from the car.
After searching the car the cops found methamphetamines and ecstasy so they arrested the couple, who just got married married in June, and took them to the station. They posted bail of $10,000 and were released at 4:00 am.
This could all see his ass thrown back into the big house because it is probably a violation of his probation. Are these celebrities stupid? If your carrying drugs in your car then make sure to drive safely so the police don’t pull you over.
source: T.I. and His Wife — Handcuffed and Busted [TMZ]