These are a few of my favorite things (Grammy Edition)

Kendrick Lamar & Imagine Dragons- Radioactive/ maad City (2014)

Lamar might have gotten snubbed at the Grammy’s last year but he still turned in one of the better performances joining Imagine Dragons for a Jay Z/ Linkin Park esque mash up.

Kanye West & Daft Punk: Stronger (2008)

It could be said that this era in his life was when Mr West made the ascension from mere rapper/producer to Pop Icon/ Stadium Status figure. Relying on the theme from his Glow in the Dark tour, Yeezus got Daft Punk to figure on ‘Stronger’ which had a ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’sample.  He then segued into an emotional performance of ‘Hey Mama’ to honour the recently deceased Donda West. Fingers crossed for the effort to mark his return to the Grammy stage for the first time in 6 years. This performance marked the first public appearance of the Air Yeezy’s- the groundbreaking shoe collaboration between Nike and ‘Ye. Interestingly, his new adidas shoe made its first public appearance at his Grammy rehearsals yesterday.

Kanye West – Stronger – Hey Mama Grammy from Taras on Vimeo.

Eminem & Elton John- Stan (2001)

When you’re getting stick for being homophobic, why not respond by getting an Elton John endorsement via a surprise performance at the Grammy’s.

Jennifer Hudson- Whitney Houston tribute (2012)

Sometimes, Grammy Weekend can be foreshadowed by ugly events. The Chris Brown/Rihanna incident famously took place as they left Clive Davis’ traditional pre Grammy night party putting paid to both their planned performances. In 2012, Whitney Houston was found dead on the eve of the Grammy’s. With no time to put on a proper tribute to one of the all time great singers, Jennifer Hudson blessed with a powerful voice who had been through her own bout of personal trauma and a big Houston fan performed a stellar rendition of ‘I Will Always Love You’. Sadly, in the week to this year’s Grammy’s Hosuton’s daughter Bobbi Kristina was found in an eerily similar situation to her mother and is currently on life support. May the Lord shine his light on her.

Adele; Rolling In The Deep (2012)

After being forced to cancel concerts due to vocal cord problems, London’s Adele delivered a powerful performance of ‘Rolling In The Deep’ to show the world she still had it before going on to win six awards. ‘Cos that’s just how the bosses roll.

Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, Patty Labelle & Lil’ Kim – “Lady Marmalade” (2002)

This record from the Moulin Rouge film was an undeniable hit acting as a melting pot for the Hip Hop, Rock, Pop and Soul genres. Watch it again and weep at the progression of Mya and Lil Kim’s careers.

The Rap Pack (M.I.A, T.I, Jay Z, Kanye West & Lil Wayne); Paper Planes/ Swagger Like Us (2009)

Hip Hop’s answer to Sinatra’s crew clad in black and white, accompanied by a heavily pregnant M.I.A took the Grammy stage and showed the world what a rap posse cut sounded like. Lil Wayne was at the peak of his powers, T.I was in good form before prison pushed him over the edge while Kanye was in the middle of his mullet wearing and Auto Tune experimentation phase. Jay was as usual the paragon of cool and Queen Latifah provided a charming introduction. Frank would definitely have been proud.

Grammy Live 2009 – Swagga Like Us by Jay-Z & T.I. Feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne from wlsrhks97 on Vimeo.