The Grammy Awards 2011 Winners Announced; Best New Artist and Album of the Year Shockers

The Grammy Awards 2011 winners were announced in the midst of some exciting performances. Unlike many Grammy Awards shows of the past, the Grammy Awards 2011 started out with a bang with a tribute to Aretha Franklin, who has won 18 Grammys.

Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Martina McBride and Florence Welch sang a melody of Aretha's songs with voices that were unbelievably good. Christina redeemed herself. She sounded amazing and she didn't forget any words.

The Queen of Soul, who is at home recuperating from an illness that many predict is pancreatic cancer, appeared on a big screen, dressed in white and looking shockingly thin. She thanked the Grammys for the honor and her fans for their cards, flowers and prayers. Aretha won't reveal the reason for her hospitalization or the nature of her illness, but claims her surgery was "highly successful."

The rest of the night included some excellent performances. We got to see Lady Gaga perform her new "Born This Way." Usher teamed with his protégé Justin Bieber who also sang with Jaden Smith. We got to see Miranda Lambert, English alternative rock band Muse and Bob Dylan.

Is Gwyneth Paltrow on her way to a singing career? We got to see her sing too, and it wasn't a country song. She sang with Cee Lo Green. Katy Perry sang. So did Eminem, Dr. Dre and Rihanna. Barbra Streisand and Mick Jagger took the stage. One of the most exciting performance was by the Canadian rock band from Montreal, Arcade Fire.

The biggest shock of the night was the Best New Artist award for 2011. Everyone predicted it would go to Justin Bieber. However, the award went to Esperanza Spalding, a 26-year-old jazz performer of mixed race. Many would say it was refreshing to see, but Bieber fans are still in shock. Another shocker was Album of the Year, which went to Arcade Fire.

Arcade Fire performed again, right after they won, which was a fun way to end the show. Watching them perform, you felt like the Grammys really are about the music and not about the hype, at least for a moment.

Grammy Awards 2011 Winners Announced During the Show:

Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals - Train - "Hey, Soul Sister"

Best Female Country Vocal Performance - Miranda Lambert - "The House That Built Me"

Best Rock Album - Muse - "The Resistance"

Best Pop Vocal Album - Lady Gaga - "The Fame Monster"

Best Country Album - Lady Antebellum - "Need You Now"

Song of the Year - Lady Antebellum - "Need You Now"

Best New Artist - Esperanza Spalding

Best Rap Album - Eminem - "Recovery"

Record of the Year - Lady Antebellum - "Need You Now"

Album of the Year - Arcade Fire - "The Suburbs"

For a Complete List of Grammy Awards 2011 Winners

Sources:

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards 2011 on CBS

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