Mary J. Blige at her album release party in New York on Tuesday
Photo: MTV News

NEW YORK — Royalty reigned Tuesday night at the Soho Grand Hotel as Mary J. Blige celebrated the release of her eighth studio album, Growing Pains, with Fabolous, John Legend, legendary R&B singer Patti LaBelle and others.

"Wow," Mario marveled at the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul's longevity. "She's staying true to herself, her life, and knowing every day is a new revelation. That's why I'm a fan."

LaBelle and Blige shared a few laughs on the red carpet beforehand while photographers flashed away at the legendary pair's exchange.

Chingy — whose album, Hate It or Love It, was also released Tuesday — was also in attendance. The St. Louis rapper didn't stay long as he had his own album-release event to attend at another New York club, Sol. Before he made his exit, the DTPer extended an invite to everyone.

"Make sure y'all stop by," he shouted.

Tank, J. Holiday and "American Gangster" actor Idris Elba were also in attendance. Tank recalled his first tour experience, with Aaliyah and Ginuwine, as a part of a Blige-headlined tour.

"I'm forever grateful for the experience," he said.

Alicia Keys' producer Kerry "Krucial" Brothers and Melyssa Ford stopped by, and D-Nice manned the turntables at the swank hotel penthouse, which had flat-screen TVs lining the walls.

Blige was all smiles throughout the night.

She arrived shortly after 10 p.m., wearing cream pants and a matching turtleneck and fur coat. Her husband, Kendu Isaacs, escorted her on the red carpet and stayed by her side all night.

Having started her career singing about her pain and heartache, Blige turned more upbeat beginning with 2001's No More Drama and continuing with 2005's The Breakthrough. Though Growing Pains preaches positivity, she said she can still draw plenty of material from her own life.

"As long as I'm not perfect, you're gonna be hearing from me," she said.

• Mary J. Blige
• Fabolous
• John Legend
• Chingy
• Patti Labelle

Birdman's <I>Fast Money</I>
Photo: Universal

His new album doesn't hit stores for almost two months, but Kanye West is already making his presence felt in record stores. The rapper/producer's skills are featured on new albums from three R&B, soul and hip-hop up-and-comers this week.

West produced "I Changed My Mind," the first single from R&B newcomer Keyshia Cole's debut album, The Way It Is. Cole, who also enlisted jailed MC Shyne for the track, had once gotten her musical tutelage from none other than MC Hammer. For soul singer Leela James, Kanye collaborated on a pair of tracks on her debut album, A Change Is Gonna Come. James, who defines her sound as "back-porch soul," also worked with Raphael Saadiq and Wyclef Jean on the disc. North Carolina-bred hip-hop trio Little Brother, meanwhile, got a nod from West on "I See Now," a track off The Chittlin Circuit 1.5.

Out Tuesday, June 21:

• All Good Funk Alliance - On the One (Sunswept)
• Amici Forever - Defined (RCA Victor)
• Eric Benét - Hurricane (Reprise)
• B.G. - Life After Cash Money: Chopped and Screwed (Koch)
• Birdman - Fast Money (Universal Motown)
  Read: "Baby Keeps It Down-Bottom With Fast Money"
• Tracy Bonham - Blink the Brightest (Rounder)
• Boom Bap Project - Reprogram (Rhymesayers)
• Boyz N da Hood - Boyz N da Hood (Bad Boy)
• Wade O. Brown - All Night, All Love (Groove United/33rd Street)
• Laura Cantrell - Humming by the Flowered Vine (Matador)
• Chicago Blues Harmonica Project - Diamonds in the Rough (Severn)
• Cintron - Back in the Day (Ark 21)
• Corey Clark - Corey Clark (Bungalo)
  Read: "Corey Clark Nabs Scott Storch, Peas Members For His 'Hot To Death' LP"
• Clutch - Robot Hive/Exodus (DRT Entertainment)
• Keyshia Cole - The Way It Is (A&M/Interscope)
  Read: "Keyshia Cole Has Kanye, Shyne On LP, Proof That Stalking MC Hammer Pays Off"
• Billy Corgan - The Future Embrace (Reprise)
• DBG'Z - P'hissed Off! (Bungalo)
• Down to the Bone - Spread Love Like Wildfire (Narada)
• Dredg - Catch Without Arms (Interscope)
  Read: "Stone Age Success Means Brighter Future For Prog-Rockers Dredg"
• Dropkick Murphys - The Warrior's Code (Epitaph)
• Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart - Communion Bread (Funzalo)
• Eldissa - What a Difference ... Disco Meets Acoustic Lounge (Le Maquis/Dreyfus)
• Evergreen Terrace - Sincerity Is an Easy Disguise in This Business (Eulogy)
• Foreign Born - In the Remote Woods (EP, StarTime International)
• Gothminister - Empire of Dark Salvation (Dancing Ferret)
• John Hiatt - Master of Disaster (New West)
• Chris Hillman - The Other Side (Sovereign Artists)
• Leela James - A Change Is Gonna Come (Warner Bros.)
• Mark Knopfler - One Take Radio Sessions (EP, Warner Bros.)
• Patti LaBelle - Classic Moments (Def Jam)
• Left Alone - Lonely Starts & Broken Hearts (Epitaph)
• Little Brother - The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 (Koch)
• Lost Boyz - Forever (Contango)
• Luca - You Win Again (Funzalo)
• Master P - Ghetto Bill: The Best Hustler in the Game (Koch)
• Mayday - Bushido Karaoke (Saddle Creek)
• Me'Shell Ndegeocello Presents the Spirit Music Jamia - Dance of the Infidel (Shanachie)
• Method Man Presents Street Life - Street Education (X-Ray)
• Stina Nordenstam - The World Is Saved (V2)
• The Offspring - Greatest Hits (Sony)
• Ol' Dirty Bastard - The Definitive Ol' Dirty Bastard Story (Rhino)
• On Broken Wings - It's All a Long Goodbye (Eulogy)
• David Poe - Love Is Red (The LAB)
• Prodigal Sunn - Return of the Prodigal Sunn (Free Agency/Godz Inc.)
• Ra - Duality (Universal)
• Ratchets - Heart of Town EP (Hell Bent)
• Redwalls - De Nova (Capitol)
  Read: "Redwalls Bring The Sound Of Liverpool To Lake Michigan"
• Sasha - Fundacion NYC (Global Underground)
• Special Generation - Take It to the Floor (reissue, Bungalo)
• Al Stewart - A Beach Full of Shells (Appleseed)
• Stutterfly - And We Are Bled of Color (Maverick)
• Télépopmusik - Angel Milk (Capitol)
• Kevin Toney - 110 Degrees and Rising (Shanachie)
• Trini - Like No Other (reissue, Empire)
• The Vanity Project - The Vanity Project (Flagship)
• Gene Watson - Then and Now (Koch)
• Matthew West - History (Universal South)
• Wiggles - Sailing Around the World (Koch)
• Without Gravity - Tenderfoot (One Little Indian)
• Wooden Wand and the Vanishing Voice - XIAO (Troubleman Unlimited)
• Various artists - Bam Margera Presents: Viva la Bands (456 Enterprises)
  Read: "Skater Bam Margera's Latest Trick: Making Bands Blow Up"
• Various artists - Instrumental Icons: Music of Lil Jon (Fastlife)
• Various artists - Look at All the Love We Found: A Tribute to Sublime (Cornerstone)
• Various artists - Ultimate Trance Remixed (Water Music)
• Various artists - "Herbie Fully Loaded" soundtrack (Hollywood)
• Various artists - "My Summer of Love" soundtrack (Milan)
• Various artists - "Rize" soundtrack (Social Capital)
• DVD: "Foo Fighters: Guardian Angels" (Chrome Dreams)
• DVD: "Placebo: Androgyny" (Chrome Dreams)
• DVD: Blindside - "Ten Years Running Blind" (DRT Entertainment)
• DVD: Cruxshadows - "Shadowbox" (Dancing Ferret)
• DVD: Kool Keith - "Global Enlightenment Part 1" (Music Video Distributors)
• DVD: Lamb of God - "Killadelphia" (Epic)
• DVD: Sarah Jane Morris - "In Concert" (Music Video Distributors)
• DVD: Ian Parker - "Whilst the Wind: Live" (Music Video Distributors)
• DVD: Various artists - "Metalmania 2004" (Music Video Distributors)

June 28:

• DMX - Here We Go Again (Ruff Ryders)
  Read: "Mase Advises DMX To Rap Again, Wait For The Lord's Call"
• Fountains of Wayne - Out-of-State Plates (Virgin)
  Read: "Fountains Of Wayne To Spout 26-Song Rarities Collection, Tour In June"
• Longwave - There's a Fire (Red Ink)

July 5:

• R. Kelly - TP3 Reloaded (Sony)
• Sufjan Stevens - Illinois (Asthmatic Kitty)
• Various artists - "Fantastic Four" soundtrack (Wind-Up)

July 12:

• All-American Rejects - Move Along (Interscope)
• Black Dahlia Murder - Miasma (Metal Blade)
• Bow Wow - Wanted (Sony)

• Corey Clark
• Keyshia Cole
• The Offspring
• Ol' Dirty Bastard
• Clutch

In honor of Wave of Mutilation, let's sprinkle a little Pixie dust on this week's new releases. The newly reunited Pixies drop their second version of a complete best-of album (Death to the Pixies being the first), highlighting their work from Doolittle, Surfer Rosa, Bossanova and Trompe le Monde, and including special features like rarities, B-sides and cover songs.

Next up, last season's "American Idol" finalist Kimberley Locke releases her album of adult contemporary songs, One Love, featuring the single "8th World Wonder."

Lola Ray say I Don't Know You, but you will know them and their power pop after the release of their debut album on Benji and Joel Madden's DC Flag label. Meanwhile, the Magnetic Fields' I is an album full of songs beginning with the letter "i," and the French Kicks begin The Trial of the Century this week with their pretty, synthy album.

Mission of Burma's Onoffon presents the band's first new music in 22 years, Porno for Pyros guitarist Peter DiStefano releases his solo album Gratitude, and Icarus Line attend a Penance Soiree.

The Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix features unreleased material from Prince, Eric Clapton, and other tracks by Sting, Santana, Lenny Kravitz, Musiq and Cee-Lo.

Finally, considering this will be the third time this album title has been used (first released as individual EPs and now the two combined into a full album), Ryan Adams really, really thinks Love Is Hell. Meanwhile, the equally negative Beta Band go from Heroes to Zeros with the help of Nigel Godrich, and comedian David Cross isn't too confident about his own work either, because his album is called It's Not Funny.

Out Tuesday, May 4:

• Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell (Lost Highway)
  Buy Now: Love Is Hell (Lost Highway)
  
• Atomship - Crash of 47 (Wind-Up)
• The Beta Band - Heroes to Zeros (Astralwerks)
• Big & Rich - Horse of a Different Color (Warner Bros.)
• Black Cat Music - October, November (Lookout!)
• Blueprint Car Crash - Rhetoric of a Marionette (Militia Group)
• Bo-Keys - The Royal Sessions (Yellow Dog)
• Broken Spindles - Fulfilled: Complete (Saddle Creek)
• Buddahead - Crossing the Invisible Line (Sanctuary)
• David Cross - It's Not Funny (Sub Pop)
• Peter DiStefano - Gratitude (Sanctuary)
• The Divine Comedy - Absent Friends (Nettwerk)
• Eliane Elias - Dreamer (Bluebird)
• Amy Farris - Anyway (Yep Roc)
• Flaw - Endangered Species (Republic/Universal)
• Rosie Flores - Single Rose (Durango Rose)
• French Kicks - The Trial of the Century (Star Time International)
• Happiness Factor - Avoid Danger (Paisley Pop)
• Patterson Hood (of Drive-by Truckers) - Killers & Stars (New West)
• The Icarus Line - Penance Soiree (V2)
• Informatik - Re:vision (Metropolis)
• Jackpot - F+ (Surfdog)
• Carolyn Dawn Johnson - Dress Rehearsal (Arista)
• Eyvind Kang - Virginal Co Ordinates (w/Mike Patton) (Ipecac)
• Angélique Kidjo - Oyaya! (Columbia)
• Patti Labelle - Timeless Journey (Def Jam)
• Oliver Lake - Dat Love (Passin' Thru)
• Mark Lane - Golden State of Mind (Orange Deuce)
• James - Last Spring Fling (Eagle Rock)
• Kimberley Locke - One Love (Curb)
  Read: "American Idol' Finalist Kimberley Locke Is Radio's '8th Wonder' "
  Buy Now: One Love (Curb)
  
• Lola Ray - I Don't Know You (D.C. Flag/Epic)
  Read: "Good Charlotte Hope To Make Lola Ray Rich And Famous"
  
• Los Lobos - The Ride (Mammoth)
• Joe Lovano - I'm All for You: Ballad Songbook (Metro Blue/Blue Note)
• Magnetic Fields - I (Nonesuch/Atlantic)
• Jennifer Marks - Jennifer Marks (Bardic)
• John Arthur Martinez - Lone Starry Night (DualTone)
• David Mead - Indiana (Nettwerk)
• Mirah - C'mon Miracle (K)
• Mission of Burma - Onoffon (Matador)
• Múm - Summer Make Good (Fatcat)
• Willie Nelson - Live at Billy Bob's Texas (Smith Music Group)
• Not Long After - Tomorrow Come Save Us (New School)
• Open Road - In the Life (Rounder)
• Outlie - Companions to Devils and Saints (Porterhouse)
• Pip Pyles Bash - Belle Illusion (Cuneiform)
• The Pixies - Wave of Mutilation: Best of the Pixies (4AD)
• Vernon Reid & Masque - Known Unknown(Favored Nations)
• Lionel Richie - Just for You (Island)
• Seabound - Poisonous Friend (Metropolis)
• Frank Sinatra - Three of a Kind (Capitol)
• Steven Sondheim - "Bounce" soundtrack (Nonesuch)
• Michael Tolcher - I Am (Octone)
• Torchbearer - Yersinia Pestis (Metal Blade)
• Univers Zero - Implosion (Cuneiform)
• University of Errors - Jet Propelled Photographs (Cuneiform)
• Armand Van Helden - New York: A Mix Odyssey(Tommy Boy)
• Vision Divine - Stream of Consciousness (Metal Blade)
• The Wildhearts - Must Be Destroyed (Sanctuary)
• Various artists - The Buzz (Razor & Tie)
• Various artists - "The L Word" soundtrack (Tommy Boy)
• Various artists - Power of Soul - A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix (Experience Hendrix)
  Read: "Prince, Santana, Others On Board For Jimi Hendrix Tribute Album"
  
• Various artists - Totally Hits 2004 (BMG Heritage/Warner)
• Various artists - "Van Helsing" soundtrack (Decca)
• DVD: Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: Godfathers & Sons, Red, White & Blues and the Road to Memphis (Hip-O/UME)
• DVD: Celine Dion - CBS Special (Epic)
• DVD: John Oates - Live at the Historic Wheeler Opera House (Phunk Shui/dke)
• DVD: Ween Live in Chicago (Sanctuary)

May 11:

• Judas Priest - Metalogy (Sony)
• Teena Marie - Dona (Cash Money)

May 18:

• Lenny Kravitz - Baptism (Virgin)
  Read: "Lenny Kravitz Ditches Funk, Feels Reborn On Baptism"
  
• Method Man - Tical 0: The Prequel (Def Jam)
  Read: "Missy, P. Diddy, Snoop, Busta Join Method Man On New LP"
  
• Alanis Morissette - So-Called Chaos (Maverick)
• Morrissey - You Are the Quarry (Sanctuary)
• New Found Glory - Catalyst (Drive-Thru)

May 25:

• Everlast - White Trash Beautiful (Island)
• Avril Lavigne - Under My Skin (Arista)
  Read: "Avril Lavigne: No Looking Back"
  
• Monster Magnet - Monolithic Baby (Hunter)
• Slipknot-Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses (Roadrunner)
  Read: "Slipknot Album Preview: More Structured, But Still Programmed To Kill"

June 1:

• Auf Der Maur - Auf Der Maur (Capitol)
• Truth Hurts - Ready Now (Pookie)

June 8:

• The Calling - Two (RCA)
  Read: "The Calling Returning With New LP, New Hired Hands"
  
• The Corrs - Borrowed Heaven (Atlantic)
• Gene Simmons - A--hole (Sanctuary)
• Velvet Revolver - Contraband (RCA)
  Read: "Velvet Revolver Album Preview: GN'R + STP = Uphill Battle"
  
• Stevie Wonder - A Time 2 Love (Motown)

June 22

• Mobb Deep - Amerikaz Nightmare (Jive)

• Kimberley Locke
• The Pixies
• Patti Labelle
• Lola Ray
• The Beta Band

Patti LaBelle
Photo: MCA

"I'm like Patti LaBelle, homie, I'm on my own." You didn't think Patti LaBelle's ties to the hip-hop community stopped with 50 Cent's line from "What Up Gangsta," did you?

Or maybe you thought Ms. Patti's connection with rap just stretched back to Nelly's video for "Dilemma" or the "Lady Marmalade" remake a few years back?

Well, the fact is that many of your favorite MCs have been listening to LaBelle since they were kids and their parents used to play her records around the house. These days, such now-grown performers as DMX, Wyclef and Snoop Dogg are calling up the legend to work with her. And she loves it.

"My favorite song is 'In Da Club,' " LaBelle said recently from Philadelphia. "You put that on and I get buck wild. Before that it was 'Hot in Herre.' I'm just one of those girls, I love rap. I don't love all the time what [some rappers say]. A lot of it is downright nasty and wrong. I just don't like the fact that kids pick up everything. You know, like [Khia's] 'My neck, my back my crack.' I saw some little girl singing that one day and that really bothered me. I sing that song, but I'm 59.

"When I went in the hospital last week, the doctor said, 'Ms. LaBelle, what hurts you?' " she continued. "I said, 'My neck, my back, my crack and my knee.' I love that song. It's nasty, but I like it."

The love the hip-hop community has for Patti was recently matched with dollars when she signed on with new Def Jam imprint Def Jam Classics.

"Barry White and Patti LaBelle were supposed to be the first acts to be signed," she explained. "It was going to be people like Ray Charles, Ron Isley, Anita Baker. People who could always work with or without a hit record, legends. People who paid dues for themselves, people who could put on a show without a hit record and could go out there and not lip-sync."

LaBelle hasn't wasted any time with her LP and has knocked out 30 demos. She's been in the lab for the last three months, and among the collaborators she's already worked with or received songs from are Missy Elliott and Wyclef Jean. "After I finish the whole album, I'm going to go back to him and we're going to finish up and do something else," she said.

Snoop Dogg and Nelly reached out to her and said that they were down to make cameos, and LaBelle is trying to secure Bono, Dr. Dre, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland for the LP as well.

"We're just feeling it and finding out who Patti LaBelle is," she said of the songs that are done. "I'm going to do 60 demos, and my problem is going to be picking out 12 songs to go on the album at the end of this venture. I don't know what I'm going to end up with, but I'm in a good place."

LaBelle was in a crowded place last month when she went to New York and recorded "Thank You" for the upcoming DMX album Grand Champ (see "DMX, Patti LaBelle Team Up For Spiritual 'Thank You' ").

"It was a circus," she laughed. "He had a hundred n---as in there. It was awesome! He had ministers in there, his boys, his wife, his kids. I was having him sing my part for me and all the people stayed in the studio. It was like a big old party. At first I was like, 'Lord, I ain't never seen this many people in the studio. If I make a mistake the whole world is going to see it.' But I'm that girl that doesn't mind making a mistake in front of people and then getting it right. I fumbled and got it right."

Only time will tell if LaBelle will make just as big a splash with some of the younger music fans as Ron Isley has the past few years with the help of R. Kelly. However, LaBelle and Mr. Biggs will be teaming up soon.

"I'm Mrs. Biggs," she said. "I saw him at the Essence Music Festival and I said, 'You know, Ronnie, I have this song that I'm writing and I want us to be Mr. and Mrs. Biggs.' I love his success."

• Patti Labelle

DMX
Photo: Def Jam

DMX finally got his lady. After going back and forth with Patti LaBelle for a couple of weeks about when and where the studio session for their collaboration would take place, X and the legendary singer finally hooked up in New York on Monday at Sony Studios. The two recorded "Thank You" for X's Grand Champ LP, set for a September 16 release.

The track was produced by Ron and Nemo for Looney Productions and samples Alicia Myers' 1982 spiritual dance hit, "I Want to Thank You." LaBelle sings the same chorus that helped Myers' song become a New York club staple, "I want to thank you heavenly father/ For shining your light on me," while DMX gives praise to God. Fortunately, the session with La Belle went better for X than another time he was in studio honoring the Lord for his album.

Suffering the effects of a hernia a few weeks ago, DMX recorded "Prayer V," hunched over in pain and barely able to breathe, let alone speak.

Fully recovered, X has a few U.S. performances lined up in support of Grand Champ in September before heading out for a European tour at the end of the month. The Dog is currently trying to finalize a U.S. tour to kick off at the end of October.

According to his manager, DMX will appear on NBC's "Third Watch" this fall, playing a rapper who very vocally expresses his hate for bootleggers at one of his concerts. In the episode, a fan of DMX's character actually kills a bootlegger in the street and X is arrested for inciting the murder. DMX films that episode August 25 and 26 in New York.

• DMX
• Patti Labelle

Mary J. Blige
Photo: CBS

Performances at the 44th annual Grammy Awards ended like they started, with words of praise for the man up above. But in between the rejoicing from acts like Outkast, dancing diva Alicia Keys and the stripteasing girls of "Lady Marmalade," there were many somber sets, highlighted by Mary J. Blige's emotional plea to end exactly what she brought — drama.

(Click for photos from the show.)

One of 2001's big winners and 2002's odds-on favorites, U2, capitalized on their momentum right from the gate Wednesday night (February 27). In between winning two awards, they opened the ceremony with their Record of the Year-winning "Walk On."

Bono, standing at the mic with his trademark Brown Hornet-like shades (the singer's were purple), started the cut with a subtle roar before beginning his gentle crooning.

"If your glass heart should crack," he sang, "be strong."

The group stayed relatively laid-back for most of the song, until it neared the end and Bono and the Edge moved to the tip of the stage, where backup singers stood on the floor beneath them. "Halle, halle, hallelujah," they sang.

Next up were the ladies of "Lady Marmalade" — Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink and Lil' Kim — who'd performed their "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack hit only a handful of times before. Aguilera, whose Shirley Temple curls caused a slight Marilyn Monroe resemblance, promised a big surprise when she spoke to the press during the Grammy pre-show.

Guess she wasn't aware it had already been announced that Patti LaBelle would be performing with the collective — the soul diva's first time singing at a Grammy ceremony.

Each of the women seemed to be trying to look more outrageous than the others in their lady-of-the-evening attire, strutting and singing on a set similar to the one in their music video. One of the track's producers, Missy Elliott, made an eye-blink cameo onstage, exiting as soon as LaBelle appeared.

La Belle made her time to shine count, ending with some of her classic wailing, which consumed the auditorium and garnered a standing ovation from her peers.

The tide shifted from crass to class with the next act, Train, performing "Drops of Jupiter." The crew wore basic black as lead singer Patrick Monahan sang with an orchestra backing him.

The collaborations picked up again with the pairing of Alejandro Sanz and Destiny's Child for "Quisiera Ser." Although most of the song was sung in Spanish, it wasn't about the lyrics — the performance was all about the vibe.

Sanz started off playing guitar and singing to the made-for-grinding beat. His stage set opened to reveal the sexy trio in sultry, revealing black threads. The trio harmonized as they walked over to the crooning Casanova, bringing a smile to his face. Caught up, he took the guitar off to dance with the girls.

Destiny's Child's popularity carried over to another performance. Nelly, who took the stage with 'NYSNC to debut the remix of their "Girlfriend," rhymed about needing a "Fiancee as cute as Beyoncé" on his second verse.

The song started off with the pop princes all wearing headset microphones, sitting on stools and singing a piece of "Gone." As their dancers came on and the beat changed to "Girlfriend," the guys disappeared, only to rise up on car-shaped platforms. The onstage block party wasn't unlike the goings on in the cut's video, except for the fact that Nelly was there making an argument for a lady's affections as he and his St. Lunatics bounced around ("OK, baby, what does it take for you to be a lady?" he rhymed).

Keys didn't need any assistance on the mic, commencing her set with the Song of the Year, "Fallin'." With the rising star sitting at a piano featuring a clear top, you could see the chords anxiously raise as her fingers pounced on the keys.

A recorded voice alerting everyone that this was the remix boomed out of the speakers as 10 dancers stormed the stage and Keys rose from her bench for "A Woman's Worth." This year's Grammy winner for Best New Artist showed she has more than a heart-stopping voice in her repertoire — she can shake a leg too. Dancer Joaquín Cortés tangled with Keys for a foot-stomping tango.

The Dave Matthews Band was more somber with "The Space Between." The audience lights were dimmed while Matthews and company played under spotlights.

Bob Dylan, no stranger to the spotlight himself, made a return to the Grammy stage with "Cry a While." The legendary vocalist last displayed his raspy baritone at the ceremony in 1997. Looking like Wild West outlaws, he and his posse performed in an opened cube made of screens that showed their silhouettes. But when you're Bob Dylan, you can perform in a cardboard box and still get a standing ovation. Needless to say, people rose when he finished.

If it wasn't for the announcement of presenters for the Song of the Year Grammy, the crowd in the Staples Center would still be on its feet saluting Blige, who started with subtle passion before erupting with overwhelming fervor on "No More Drama."

Television screens behind her showed the song's video and displayed messages of hope like "Have Faith," but they went virtually unnoticed. M.J.B. was not only the performance's focal point, but she was the show's highlight up to that moment.

"It's up to us whether we win or lose," she spouted with fire, "and I choose to win." As the song reached the home stretch, Mary continued with ad-libs as if she'd been holding in years of frustration, singing, "I need a peace of mind."

As the track ended, she looked exhausted, like she was about to cry, but she summoned her strength and kept it together.

With Destiny's Child and their devastating good looks, the "Lady Marmalade" collection of honeys and the perennially hot Eve all in attendance, leave it to Oukast's Dre to be the evening's biggest eye candy. He and his partner, Big Boi, created a spectacle during their performance of the Grammy-winning "Ms. Jackson."

The only thing that kept people's peepers from staying fixated on the white wig that flowed past his shoulders was his all-hot-pink outfit that included a satin shirt. On any other night, Big Boi's flossing in a pimp-daddy, money-green suit might have stood out as well, but with a DJ spinning records in a church robe, a playground for a set, more than a dozen kids running around (one came to the front to pop-lock), and about 15 women walking through the audience shaking tambourines, it was hard to know where to look.

Nelly Furtado and India.Arie kept the action to a minimum during their performances, focusing on showcasing their vocals via mellow deliveries of "I'm Like a Bird" and "Video," respectively. Furtado, whose chops may have been overshadowed by her song's spry feel, used Steve Vai's electric guitar for an almost balladlike rendition of her tune. Multiple-nominee Arie stood amid a mix of flowers and tapestries, simply letting her soulful sounds gush.

Al Green, Brian McKnight, Arie and Hezekiah Walker all made sure spirits would be high when everybody exited. They closed the show by collaborating on a gospel medley that included the solo offerings "Precious Lord" and "I Feel Good" as well as the group effort "Lord Lift Me Up."

For a list of Grammy winners, click here.

For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

• Mary J. Blige
• U2
• Patti Labelle
• Christina Aguilera
• Mya

It's one of music's biggest nights, and thanks to the miracle of modern communication, we're taking you inside. Artists on the red carpet, in the house, and watching from the road are weighing in, blowing up our two-way pagers, and we're sharing their thoughts with you. Check the bottom of the page for the latest update from the trenches.

From: Usher, on tour in Germany, 12:23 ET Well, I'm trying to make the best of it, being that I'm not there to accept my award. I'm going forward with the best attitude. I hate that I'm not able to be there. I got the home team that's gonna keep me abreast of what's going on. I'm probably gonna have someone call me when the winner [is announced] so I can hear. I hate that I can't see Thandie Newton on the red carpet. I had a nice little gangsta outfit I was gonna wear. The wildest thing about it is that I had a gun holster on my outfit, but there's no gun in it. It was sick. It's time for y'all cats to beware. Y'all better beware because it's going down.

From: Slipknot's Paul Grey, at home in Iowa, 1:07 ET I'm not actually going because I'm sick. I'm here in Iowa. We just got back from Europe and there are four or five of us that have this stomach thing. There must be something weird in something we ate. I've just been lying here in bed for the last couple days. I was gonna fly out of here this morning, but I just couldn't do it. I was gonna just wear what I would normally wear — jeans and a T-shirt. That's what I wear everywhere. That's what I wear to funerals and weddings and everything. I'm gonna be watching because we got nominated. I don't know what our chances are, but I'll watch. Last year we got nominated for "Wait and Bleed," and this year for "Left Behind." I personally think System of a Down is gonna win, but hopefully we've got a chance. To me personally, just being nominated is cool enough. It's not gonna make my day if we win or kill me if we lose.

From Bubba Sparxxx, in transit, 3:29 ET I'm at the airport in ATL about to head to L.A. ... I'll probably go to Missy (Elliott)'s party tonight. ... I got a show with Ludacris and Busta tomorrow. I'll be landin' just as they start. ... I'll probably just catch it in the hotel room.

From: Bloodhound Gang's Jimmy Pop, at home in Philadelphia, 5:22 ET I actually am a Grammy voter. I voted for Slayer, Linkin Park, 'NSYNC, Sigur Ros, Depeche Mode, Nelly and some others. The only way I'm getting in there on my own accord is if they need someone to pass out programs. I would love to hear Charlotte Church present the Best Metal Record, open the envelope and say, "Slayer, for God Hates Us All." Do you think Christina Aguilera is going to show up dressed like a dude at this awards show too?

From: Papa Roach's Dave Buckner, at home in Sacramento, 5:46 ET I'm actually glad we didn't win Best New Artist last year, because that's like the kiss of death award. Didn't Men at Work win that, and then they were never heard from again? Last year, we were so busy touring that it didn't really hit me until after and they sent us the little certificate and medal in the mail. Then it finally hit me like, 'Wow, we were nominated for a Grammy.' Now I'm really proud of it. ... I'm hoping that Linkin Park doesn't win Best New Artist, because I want them to be around for more than a year.

From: comedian David Cross, on the road in Atlanta, 6:19 ET It's almost like they're having a race to see who can be more out of touch, the Grammys or the Oscars, and the Grammys always win. This year they've taken little baby steps toward not being as completely out of it as they have been in the past, ... and I also don't like awards shows. I think it's very fitting that the icon on top of the statuettes is an old Victrola. That's kind of perfect. I mean, where was Fugazi's The Argument? Where was that? Come on. I demand a recount ... or at least a count.

From: producer Rodney Jerkins, in an Atlanta studio with Toni Braxton, 6:23 ET Yes, indeed we are making hit after hit after hit! [We've] completed two songs already. The first song is called "Whatcha Need." It's up-tempo, real catchy and hot using my new sound called the Darkchild on-and-off knock, and we also did a sexy jazz mid-tempo [number] called "Do U Remember?" I'll be watching the awards.

From: Naughty by Nature's Treach, 7:14 ET Tonight I'll be meeting with the fashion stylist to figure out what we're wearing for the next part of our video shoot for "Feels Good" with 3LW, and then I'm going to the studio to hook up with Vinnie to do final edits for our album, iicons. We'll be watching the Grammys from the studio, and then I'm going home to sleep because I have to get up early tomorrow morning for Source "All-Access" taping.

From: Naughty by Nature's Vinnie, 7:17 ET I'll be in the studio doing the last clean mix to our album, iicons, so we can get the album mastered. We're looking forward to being a contender for next year's Grammys. Treach and I will be watching from the studio.

From: producer Mannie Fresh, in an Atlanta recording studio, 7:23 ET I'm in the studio working on my new album, Hood Rich. Hope y'all like it. Bless everybody in the world.

From: Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald, in Los Angeles, 7:27 ET I definitely plan on watching, though it will probably be the first Grammy broadcast that I've ever watched. I've heard that Sade is up for a couple categories, and I hope she wins as many as she can because I've done a lot of great making out to her record. That's the only person that I've really listened to that I think should win.

From: Bloodhound Gang's Jimmy Pop, at home in Philadelphia, 8:34 ET How hot did Joey Fatone look? Hot. Oh my, the "Moulin Rouge" girls are more annoying than Charlie's Angels when they get together. I've slept with whores. They NEVER look like Mya. OK, they're done, I can turn the sound back on.

From: Noreaga, 8:58 ET I ain't doing sh--. Writing rhymes don't you get invited to things like that, so I don't go.

From: Patti LaBelle, backstage at the Grammys, 9:17 ET I went to Grammy rehearsal, rested and came back to perform with the "Moulin Rouge" girls for the first time. I'll sleep tonight. It was AWESOMELY unbelievable! One of the highlights of my career, and I'm so happy they won!

From: Jermaine Dupri, backstage at the Grammys, 9:32 ET I'm just relaxed and chilled out to the show. I'm hitting every party and doing a lot of interviews. I haven't been in the audience yet, ... but backstage is fun. I love everybody, so I'm happy for all.

From: Mystic, at Grammy Awards, 10:39 ET The show has been great. Mary J. Blige was incredible. I'm a little off the floor, but with a good view. I'm having a ball. Great music and people watching. LOL! I've seen so many folks ... Musiq, Nate Dogg, Gwen, Blue Cantrell, Outkast ... everybody and their mama. LOL. Going to Erykah Badu's party, maybe the MCA mansion party. But I might go home and go to bed. Mom is my date, so it may be mellow.

Lindsay Pagano from her bedroom in Los Angeles, 10:57 PT I really like Nelly Furtado's outfit. And Britney's, she looks gorgeous tonight. I'm sooooo glad "Lady Marmalade" won... and it was a great performance... I'm a HUGE Christina fan! I was gonna' go to the after part tonight, but i have to go in the studio tomorrow to record a song called "United We Sing" with alot of the people who were at the Grammy's tonight... so I didnt wanna be tired.

Rodney Jerkins, in an Atlanta studio with Toni Braxton,11:08 ET I'm trying [to hang in there with the show]. I'm exhausted.

From: Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia of Grammy winners Deep Dish, leaving the Staples Center, 11:42 ET We won. We're hangin' with BT, and right now we're going to go party.

For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

• Papa Roach
• Usher
• Slipknot
• Bubba Sparxxx
• The Bloodhound Gang

India.Arie
Photo: Motown

Newcomers and old-timers alike, from India.Arie to Patti LaBelle, will gather for special performances at next week's Grammy Awards ceremony.

Arie, R&B singers Brian McKnight and Al Green, and gospel star Hezekiah Walker will perform what the Recording Academy called Thursday (February 21) an "inspirational segment" at the 44th annual awards show February 27 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

LaBelle, a two-time Grammy winner, will join Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil' Kim, Mya and Missy Elliott on "Lady Marmalade," a song she took to the top of the charts in 1975 and the pop stars remade with massive success for last year's "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack.

Also added to the premier music awards show is a duet between Billy Joel and Tony Bennett on "New York State of Mind," a classic song that took on new meaning after Joel performed it at the September 11 telethon "America: A Tribute to Heroes." Joel and Bennett, who have won 14 Grammys between them, are nominated this year for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for their version of the song on Bennett's album Playin' With My Friends: Bennett Sings the Blues.

Previously announced performers include U2, 'NSYNC with Nelly, Outkast, Alicia Keys, Alejandro Sanz with Destiny's Child, Dave Matthews Band, Train, Bob Dylan, Alan Jackson and a tribute to the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack (see ).

Don Henley and Trisha Yearwood, together nominated for the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals Grammy for "Inside Out," have been added to a list of presenters that includes Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Gwen Stefani, Ja Rule, Kid Rock and others, according to the Recording Academy.

Arie is second only to U2 for most nominations with seven. The neo-soul singer is the only artist competing in all four of the top categories: Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Record of the Year and Song of the Year (the latter two for "Video").

McKnight will compete in five categories, including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song for "Love of My Life" and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for "My Kind of Girl" with Justin Timberlake.

Green will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Walker is nominated for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album for Love Is Live!

Joel, a former Grammy Legend Award winner, will accept the 2002 MusiCares Person of the Year award from the Recording Academy at a Los Angeles dinner two nights before the Grammys. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas and Nelly Furtado will perform in honor of Joel's accomplishments as a musician and humanitarian.

Comedian Jon Stewart will host the Grammys, which will be broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m.

For more Grammy news, check out the MTV News Grammy Archive.

• India.Arie
• Patti Labelle
• Brian McKnight
• Al Green
• Tony Bennett

Whitney Houston
Photo: Arista

Whitney Houston is scheduled to join Christina Aguilera and Luther Vandross onstage in Las Vegas this month to honor the first artist ever to be given a BET Lifetime Achievement Award — and that artist just happens to be Houston herself.

Aguilera and Vandross will duet on a not-yet-chosen hit by Houston, who will ultimately come onstage to sing with them, a BET spokesperson said Friday. The trio will perform June 19 at the inaugural BET Awards, which will be broadcast live from Las Vegas. (MTVi's parent company, Viacom, also owns BET.) Houston said she was thrilled to accept her award. "I see this prestigious award as another major milestone in my career," she said in a statement released by BET.

Other performers at the BET Awards include Destiny's Child, Lil' Bow Wow, Eve with Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliott and Outkast, as well as Sisqo, Usher and Patti LaBelle.

Vandross is set to release his new self-titled album on June 19.

• Whitney Houston
• Christina Aguilera
• Luther Vandross
• Destiny's Child
• Eve

Erykah Badu
Photo: MTV News

Stars from two eras of R&B — relative newcomers Erykah Badu and Kelly Price, along with soul veterans Solomon Burke and Patti LaBelle — have joined the lineup of the 2001 Essence Music Festival.

Burke, whose songs include the classic "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," was inducted this month into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The artists will join previously announced headliners Destiny's Child, Joe, Carl Thomas and the Roots at the festival, scheduled for July 5-7 in New Orleans' Louisiana Superdome.

The event, sponsored by Essence magazine, also will include performances by Jill Scott, Yolanda Adams, Angie Stone and Eric Benét, among others.

LaBelle, whose 40-year career spans her early-'60s group, Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, to When a Woman Loves, her solo disc of last year, and Badu, who released the critically acclaimed Mama's Gun in November, are veterans of several previous Essence Festivals.

• Erykah Badu
• Patti Labelle
• Destiny's Child
• Joe
• The Roots

• *NSYNC
• OutKast
• Destiny's Child
• Patti Labelle
• Alicia Keys