Blige favourite for Grammys
2007-02-09 14:29
Los Angeles - Hip-hop diva Mary J Blige is expected to dominate when pop music's most prestigious awards show, the Grammys, takes place here on Sunday.
The 38-year-old rhythm-and-blues star is up for prizes in eight categories, including both record and song of the year, where Be Without You is up against entries from James Blunt, Gnarls Barkley, The Dixie Chicks and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Blige's platinum-selling The Breakthrough is also expected to snag the best R and B album award. To date, the album has sold more than 2.7 million copies in the United States alone since its release at the end of 2005.
Hip-hop and R and B icon Blige attributes the success of The Breakthrough to a softer, more upbeat approach compared with the angrier, more introspective mood of her earlier works.
Multiple nominations
"I know that I made the connection with my fans again with this music, and I was really concerned about that, because I am the same as my fans. They are me, and I am them," Blige said in a recent interview.
"We have lived through so much together. It's really humbled me and reminded me of how I have gotten as far as I have."
Whether Blige's multiple nominations translate into Grammy gold remains to be seen, however. Last year saw Mariah Carey competing in eight categories, only to be shut out of the blue ribbon prizes as U2 upset the form book.
Blige to perform live at Sunday's glittering gala
Blige will be one of a roll call of famous names to perform live at Sunday's glittering gala, which gets underway at 17:00 (0100 GMT).
Other performers scheduled to appear include Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, the Dixie Chicks, Gnarls Barkley, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shakira, Justin Timberlake and Carrie Underwood.
The Grammys will also see an emotional reunion from The Police, the legendary British supergroup fronted by Sting during the 1970s and 1980s, which split up in 1984.
The appearance by the three-man band responsible for hits such as Roxanne, Don't Stand So Close To Me and Every Breath You Take has fuelled speculation that The Police are set to announce a world tour to coincide with the 30th anniversary of their forming.
James Blunt's You're Beautiful
Elsewhere, British singer James Blunt and country trio the Dixie Chicks are vying for five awards each and, like Blige, have been nominated in the record and song of the year categories.
Former British Army officer Blunt is nominated for hit ballad You're Beautiful while all-female country group the Dixie Chicks, famous for their 2003 criticism of President George W Bush, are nominated for Not Ready To Make Nice, a song that directly addresses the furore.
The Dixie Chicks are also up for album of the year, where their Taking the Long Way is competing against Gnarls Barkley's debut St Elsewhere US blues rocker John Mayer's Continuum, the Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium and Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds.
Other artists seen as leading contenders, with five nominations, were Mayer, Danger Mouse, Prince, Rick Rubin, will.i.am and John Williams.
Paul McCartney makes an appearance in the best male pop vocal performance category, while Bob Dylan is vying with Tom Petty and fellow sexagenarian Neil Young for best solo rock vocal performance.
Prince and Lionel Richie appear in the best R and B album category, facing off against Jamie Foxx, the Oscar-winning actor and comedian, although Blige remains the favourite.
Considered the music world's equivalent to the Oscars, the Grammys offer prizes in 108 categories covering over 20 genres, including pop, rock, gospel, and rap.