In an attempt to calm nerves, Michael Greene, President and CEO of the Grammies, told America that “people are mad, and people are talking” and that it was a good thing because it was “through dialogue and debate that social discovery can occur.” With that, he introduced the most anticipated performance in recent Grammy memory, Eminem with special quest Elton John.
Eminem rapped the role of Stan, a made-up mentally deranged fan of his who ends rolling his car down a bridge, killing himself and his pregnant girlfriend. John sang the chorus from Thank You, a Dido song that she normally sings with Eminem. After the performance, Eminem and John embraced, after which the rapper extended both middle fingers to the crowd. In a later statement, Eminem said the middle finger presentation was directed to the critics who categorized him as homophobic.
Eminem had a good run, scoring 3 Grammies in the Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, with Dr. Dre, who also won Producer of the Year.
Justin Timberlake started ‘N Sync’s This I Promise You performance, and was soon followed by, what a surprise, JC Scott! The three other ‘N Sync members, whom I call the ‘backup singers’, joined them. ‘ N Sync’s performance was uncharacteristically lethargic and uninspired. Perhaps it had something to do with Justin’s girl toy Britney Spears being absent for the show. Both ‘N Sync and Spears were shut out.
Thank goodness Moby was there to save the day. His performance of Natural Blues with the Blue Man Group and Best New Artist nominee Jill Scott was amazingly energetic. The performance garnered a well-deserved standing ovation.
And who better than Toni Braxton to carry on the “Is she really wearing that?” torch, passed on by Jennifer Lopez last year. Her dress was both high and low cut, and revealed absolutely everything, prompting Jon Stewart to ask, “Has anyone seen my scarf?” Best New Artist Shelby Lynne, also left very little to the imagination, wearing a tight, blue two-piece outfit with, what else, cowboy boots? Gloria Estefan, of all people, shocked everyone with a tan colored top that would amuse any S&M enthusiast.
