Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne and Al Green packed in the majority of R&B and Hip Hop Grammy Awards during the coveted awards’ pre-telecast Sunday. In an unprecedented move, the Grammy Awards gave out 100 of its 110 awards during a pre-telecast Sunday, including 7 of 8 R&B/Soul Awards and 4 of 5 Rap/Hip Hop Awards. (See list of winners below) Leading winners in the R&B category are R&B singers Ne-Yo and Al Green, who are joined by Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Chrisette Michele. Ne-Yo, who is nominated for six nominations, picked up two awards for his hit single “Miss Independent” just hours before the live show. “Miss Independent,” the second single from Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman(2008),” earned Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song, beating out Trey Songz and Usher who were nominated in the Male R&B category. Matching Ne-Yo, iconic soul man Al Green nabbed two awards for the 2008 effort “Lay It Down”. Green’s collaborations with both John Legend and Anthony Hamilton titled “Stay With Me (By The Sea)” and “You’ve Got The Love I Need” respectively, earned Best R&B Duo or Group with Vocals and Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance besting expected winners Jennifer Hudson and India Arie. Sliding over to the Rap/Hip Hop categories, Lil Wayne, who is nominated for eight awards, grabbed two including a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance “A Milli”. Lil Wayne’s great start with two awards (during the pre-show) was capped with an emotional acceptance speech from the late Stephen “Static Major” Garrett’s wife. Garrett’s wife, who thanked everyone involved with the hit “Lollipop,” fought back tears on stage stating “I wish he was here”. Garrett, who produced the Best Rap Song winning song “Lollipop’ died last February before the release of the song. In addition to Lil Wayne’s winnings in the Rap category, Jay-Z, T.I., and Kanye West picked up an award for the massive hit “Swagga Like Us”. Other notable winners prior to the big show include Natalie Cole, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Chrisette Michele, who round out this year’s R&B Grammys. R&B/Soul Award Winners (minus Best R&B Album) Best Female R&B Vocal Performance “Superwoman” – Alicia Keys Best Male R&B Vocal Performance “Miss Independent” – Ne-Yo Best R&B Performance By A Duo or Group With Vocals “Stay With Me (By The Sea)” – Al Green feat. John Legend Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance “You’ve Got The Love I Need” – Al Green feat. Anthony Hamilton Best Urban/Alternative Performance “Be OK” – Chrisette Michele feat. Will.I.Am Best R&B Song “Miss Independent” – Ne-Yo Best Contemporary R&B Album “Growing Pains” – Mary J. Blige Rap/Hip Hop Award Winners: Best Rap Solo Performance A Milli Lil Wayne Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group Swagga Like Us Jay-Z & T.I. Featuring Kanye West & Lil Wayne Best Rap/Sung Collaboration American Boy Estelle Featuring Kanye West Best Rap Song Lollipop D. Carter, S. Garrett, D. Harrison, J. Scheffer & R. Zamor, songwriters (Lil Wayne Featuring Static Major)Track from: Tha Carter III Best Rap Album Tha Carter III Lil Wayne
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