- Title: USA: EMINEM PICKS UP THREE PRIZES AT THE GRAMMY MUSIC AWARDS
- Date: 21st February 2000
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 21, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) GV, EXTERIOR OF STAPLES CENTER, PAN DOWN TO MEDIA ON RED CARPET SMV, ERYKAH BADU SPEAKING WITH REPORTERS SMV, FRED DURST OF "LIMP BIZKIT" TALKING TO REPORTERS WIDE OF N'SYNC SPEAKING WITH REPORTERS VARIOUS, DESTINY'S CHILD GROUP MEMBERS SPEAKING WITH REPORTERS VARIOUS , DESTINY'S CHILD GROUP
- Embargoed: 7th March 2000 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES/VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVAKZK48OELWPRRXZXYMYGRIV51
- Story Text: Controversial rapper Eminem, who once boasted he did not "give a damn" about the Grammys, picked up three of the music industry's most prestigious awards on Wednesday (February 21), but missed the top prize in a stunning upset.
The Grammy for album of the year went to veteran jazz-rock duo Steely Dan for their first release of new material in 20 years, "Two Against Nature." The result marked an apparent setback to Grammy organizers, who have tried to make the show more cutting edge in recent years, appealing to a younger audience.
Steely Dan's stunned members, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, had never received a Grammy before Wednesday's ceremonies, and backstage Becker said "I think what it shows amongst other things is that our fans, the ones that have survived have acceded to postions of power and influence and it's very flattering that there are still so many people that are listening to what we do."
"Two Against Nature" sold a relatively low 1.5 million copies worldwide and represented the pair's third album-of-the-year nomination.
Steely Dan went home with three Grammys, as did Irish rock band U2, which scooped the coveted song and record of the year prizes.
Country singer Shelby Lynne, 32, won the best new artist prize in recognition of her acclaimed 2000 release "I Am Shelby Lynne."
But it was Eminem's night -- at least until the last few minutes of the three-hour ceremony, when Steely Dan were called to the stage for the final prize.
Eminem, 28, one of the few whites to make it big in the rap genre, was batting three for three, and most industry pundits had expected he would win the album prize for "The Marshall Mathers LP," a commercially successful release that was also widely criticized for its homophobic and violent imagery.
After deciding for weeks whether to perform at an event he had disparaged on disc, he surprised observers by announcing he would perform a duet with openly gay pop singer Elton John.
Their performance of "Stan," a poignant ode to a psychotic fan, was the last of the evening, and they earned a standing ovation for its passionate rendition.
Eminem censored himself during the performance, replacing obscene words with more modest alternatives like "messed up"
"crumby" and "shoot," but he still managed to say "bitch" a few times. John, dressed in a pink polka-dot suit, played keyboards and sang the haunting chorus.
At song's end, they hugged, raised each other's hands in the air, and Eminem hoisted his middle finger to the jubilant audience.
Outside the Staples Center, where the awards were handed out, about 200 representatives from gay, women's and religious groups held a "Rally Against Hate" to protest him.
The controversy essentially overshadowed the event.
Eminem did not speak to reporters. He went home with the Grammys for rap solo album, rap solo performance and rap performance by a duo or group, sharing the latter with Dr.
Dre, his mentor. Dr. Dre, 36, a pioneering gangsta rapper whose real name is Andre Young, was named producer of the year award and received a standing ovation as well.
Eminem received the rap solo Grammy during the televised ceremony, when 13 of the 100 awards were handed out.
"Well, what should I say first?" he said. "First of all I want to thank everybody who could look past the controversy and see the album for what it is and what it isn't."
Eminem now has five Grammys to his credit, having won two last year for his debut album, "The Slim Shady LP."
The U2 track "Beautiful Day" won the record and song of the year Grammys, as well as the prize for rock performance by a duo or group, giving the band a clean sweep and taking its career haul to 10.
Asked backstage to define the band, Bono said, "We're just an Irish boy band."
The best new artist award usually offers scope for a big upset, but Lynne's win was well received.
"Now I can make a thousand dollars more," said the Alabama native.
Colombia's Shakira, who sprang to prominence at the Latin Grammys telecast in September, won the Latin pop album award for her "MTV Unplugged" disc.
U2 and fellow Grammy winner Faith Hill performed. Other Grammy-winning performers included R&B trio Destiny's Child, singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow and Lynne in a duet. Madonna and Moby were among the few performers who did not win a Grammy.
But it wouldn't be an awards ceremony without a good party afterwards.
Musical luminaries crowded the red carpet at this year's Def Jam/Island/Interscope post-Grammy party. It was an affair to remember for R&B fans, with Grammy nominees Snoop Doggy Dogg, Brian McKnight and presenter Mya in attendance.
Just about everyone voiced their praise for Eminem's controversial duet with Elton John, as well as the innovative performance of "Natural Blues" featuring Moby, Macy Gray and the Blue Man Group. Eminem's producer Dr. Dre played down the confrontational aspect of the Grammy-winning rapper's lyrics.
Says Dre: "When we go in the studio, we don't go in there purposely to piss people off. The record is actually funny to me... Eminem is doing dark comedy and it's fun, and it's adding excitement to the game." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None