Grammy Rap
It was Amy Winehouse's night: The British pop singer pulled off a near-clean sweep at the 50th annual Grammy Awards Sunday night, scoring five trophies including record of the year, song of the year and best new artist, while putting on a passionate performance via satellite from London. Winehouse won all the night's top awards, except album of the year, which went to Herbie Hancock for River: The Joni Letters. "I can't believe I've won five awards," Winehouse said. She coyly sang "Rehab" and "You Know I'm No Good" via satellite link from London, then dedicated her record of the year trophy to her hometown, parents and jailed husband, "my Blake, my Blake incarcerated." Hancock, whose "River: The Joni Letters" won album of the year, said after the show Sunday night at the Staples Center that it was "immeasurable how surprised I am."Kanye West won four Grammys. He won Best Rap Album for his "Graduation." He also won Best Male Rap Performance and shared awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Collaboration.J Records artist Alicia Keys, previously a nine-time Grammy Award winner, earned two more tonight for her song "No One."(which she co-wrote for her album As I Am) in the categories of Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and for Best R&B Song. RCA Records recording artist Mark Ronson won the coveted Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Grammy for his work on his own release Version, among other nominated recordings including the album Back to Black by Amy Winehouse and the track "Littlest Things" by Lily Allen.Aretha Franklin won her 18th Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance for "Never Gonna Break My Faith" with Mary J. Blige, from the original soundtrack album Bobby.