Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Carter
Photo: Courtesy of the Carter family

And now we've seen her.

On Friday (February 10), Jay-Z posted the first photos of his and Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, on his Life + Times website.

The rapper and his superstar wife are seen in the photos holding the newborn in a series of five photos. In the first large photo, we see the baby swathed in a polka-dot wrap sleeping. In the remaining images, she has her eyes wide open and is being held by her beaming mother, and in another, her back is to us while she's being held by her smiling father.

Photos: Blue Ivy Carter revealed.

There's a note that reads: "We welcome you to share in our joy. Thank you for respecting our privacy during this beautiful time in our lives. The Carter family."

The baby-picture reveal is just the latest Blue Ivy news. On Thursday, it was confirmed that the high-profile couple filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark Blue Ivy's name. The patent is intended to prevent the use of their daughter's name by non-related parties. The application was filed by Beyoncé's company, BGK Trademark Holdings, and is currently pending. The Washington Post reported that it will likely get approved, considering that parents are legally authorized to trademark the names of minor children.

Earlier this week, Beyoncé revealed her post-pregnancy body, and she's back in fighting shape only a month after the birth of her baby girl. B was photographed twice this week, including at the first night of Jay-Z's two-night charity stint at Carnegie Hall.

What do you think of the first Blue Ivy photos? Let us know in the comments!

• All About Beyonce And Jay-Z's New Arrival

• Blue Ivy Carter Revealed

• Beyoncé
• Jay-Z

Fans watch a clip from "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" at Target in Brooklyn, New York, on Friday
Photo: Erin Strecker/ MTV News

Vampires may come out after dark, but there weren't any bloodsuckers at the Brooklyn, New York, Target store Friday night — just roughly a hundred women (and a few guys) who wanted to meet one. The crowd was anxiously waiting to pick up the DVD of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1," which was released at midnight.

But it wasn't just the thrill of re-watching Bella and Edward's honeymoon that had these NYC Twi-hards — some of whom had been in line since 8 p.m. — bubbling with the kind of excitement normally reserved for a newborn vamp chasing his first kill. At 11 p.m., as promised, exclusive footage from "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" was shown for the first time at 500 Target stores nationwide.

"Part 1" may have featured a wedding, but the fandom wars over who should have Bella's heart were still raging on as the countdown to new footage began, with passionate discussions about Team Edward and Team Jacob popping up throughout the crowd. Friends Patrice Waite, 21, and Cynthia Rodriguez, 22, may not be able to agree on matters of vampire vs. werewolves, but the duo, who lovingly refer to themselves as "Team Switzerland," can agree that they are psyched to see "Part 2," even as they reminisced over "Part 1" scenes such as the romantic wedding and the intense birth of Renesmee.

"In a perfect world," Waite said, "the scene [I want to see tonight] would be when they are at the cottage, and they go all out [having sex], breaking walls and stuff."

"I want to see more of Renesmee [in Part 2]" Lauren Perciballi, 25, said. "I'm anxious to see how that works out because it's a vampire/human, so she's growing at a rapid pace. I'm interested to see the special effects behind that."

The actual clip may have been sex-and-Renesmee-free, but the five-minute-long tease certainly worked to entice fans gearing up for the premiere of "Part 2" next November. Aside from some behind-the-scenes shots of Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner preparing for battle in the woods, the full, exclusive-to-Target scene is from early on in the movie, when Bella discovers a note in a book with instructions from Alice, explaining what to do to get new passports. The clip showcases a heart-to-heart between Edward and Bella and features a swoon-worthy kiss that made the audience scream. The best part? Judging from fan reaction, it was the first shot of vampire Bella, whose red eyes and special-effect-aided speed definitely enticed Twi-hards to be even more excited for the next chapter in the saga.

"[The clip] was good," Waite said. "Of course, it was just a little clip, making us want more. I wasn't expecting that, but it was pretty good. I loved seeing [vampire Bella] zoom across the room."

Rodriguez agreed. "I loved Bella's piercing red eyes. I thought they did a good job [with the vampire stuff]. I'm even more excited for 'Part 2' now."

Not everyone at the event was a vampire lover though. Special sneak peek or not, the fandom wars continue on. While Kimberlee Imperato was excited about the special footage and loved newly vamped Bella, her daughter, 14-year-old BaileeAnn Darbasie, wasn't impressed. "[My mom] dragged me here," she explained. "I'm a Harry Potter fan."

Check out everything we've got on "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: 'Breaking Dawn - Part 1'

• Twilight: Breaking Dawn

Katy Perry
Photo: Theo Wargo/ Getty Images

is currently rocking turquoise blue hair (after initially shocking the world with a deeper blue hue back in January). Considering she's not only up for two awards at the Grammy Awards on Sunday but is also hitting the stage for what's sure to be a colorful, candy-coated performance, Perry could be showing off a completely different hair color this weekend.

To get the scoop on what color hair Perry might be donning when she hits the red carpet at the Grammy Awards, we asked her longtime hair colorist, Rita Hazan.

"I'm kind of feeling the blue right now, so I'm hoping we're gonna be on that same page because I really think it's really hot and it's working for her," she told MTV News. "So I'm assuming that we're going to be staying with the blue for the Grammys, but you never know.

"The night before it could be a whole different story," she continued, laughing. "It depends, maybe she gets a dress she wants to match her hair to, but I feel like she's going to rock the blue and find a dress to match the hair, which I absolutely love about her."

Hazan and Perry are quite the hair-color scientists. The blue hair was only the latest "vision" the twosome has dreamed up for the always up-for-anything Perry.

"The thing with Katy, she has a feeling, she follows her gut, her instinct and she's very fashion, she's trendy, but that's really naturally who she is," Hazan said. "She doesn't try to do anything, she just does it and it works for her and I think because she's such an iconic girl, people just want to copy and do whatever she does.

"With Katy, you never know. Between her and myself we get these crazy middle-of-the-night visions," she continued. "You never know what happens. I just think watch out, something's going to happen next and I don't even know what it is."

Perry aside, Hazan thinks that everyone who attends the show is going to step up their game and go all-out when it comes to their hair. "I think that people are going to be a little bit over-the-top and extravagant," she said. "I don't think it's going to be very calm or pretty hair. I think people are going to go for it."

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Performers

• Katy Perry

Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Nate Mendel
Photo: Peter Wafzig/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — One of the oddest moments during Sunday's 54th Grammy Awards might have nothing to do with Adele not winning everything. It could very well end up being the recently announced tribute to electronic music, a performance that will bring together David Guetta, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Deadmau5 and, uh ... Foo Fighters.

And though one of those things is most certainly not like the other, the combination just doesn't seem all that bizarre to Foos frontman Dave Grohl. He's learned firsthand that the gap between rock and electronica isn't all that wide, as he told MTV News on the red carpet at Friday night's pre-Grammy MusicCares concert.

"Well, Deadmau5 is maybe the only EDM artist I know because we did a bunch of festivals over the summer, and for whatever reason, he would be headlining over there while we were headlining over here," he said. "I guess people thought that our audiences would split, but our audiences are compatible in a way, because what he does ... rocks.

"The remix that he did for [Foos' single] 'Rope' is really good, and it's clever; it's not just some bullsh-- dance sh--," he continued. "He actually did a rearrangement ... so when we were asked to perform with him, we said OK."

And though Grohl wouldn't divulge any details of what may happen during the Foos' brief excursion into electro ("I think you have to call it 'EDM'," he pointed out), he did let us know what won't: namely, dancing of any sort.

"What do you think, I'm going to f---ing dance?" he laughed. "When we got asked to do it, I said, 'I can't do it. I can't dance.' I think we go on right after Chris Brown or something, and I don't want to dance after Chris Brown has been dancing. Nobody can dance like that guy."

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Rehearsals
• 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties
• 2012 Grammy Performers

• Foo Fighters

Lady Gaga arrives at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

The 54th annual Grammy Awards are just a day away and everyone in the MTV Newsroom is starting to get excited. Will Beyoncé" show up? How will Adele sound in her first major live performance since undergoing surgery to repair a vocal cord hemorrhage? What color will Katy Perry"'s hair be? What will Lady Gaga" wear? We can't wait to find out. But if last year's show is any indication, it's safe to say that just about anything could happen at Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday night.

The quirk factor was high at last year's Grammys, and it got started long before a single award was handed out. Lady Gaga's red carpet arrival inside of a pearlescent egg carried by four scantily clad dudes wearing prosthetics on their faces and shoulders should have been reminder enough that the unusual is the norm at the Grammys. But in case it wasn't, the show itself delivered Muppets and Katy Perry on a swing. We've rounded up five big moments from last year's show to remind you why the Grammys are the craziest awards show of the year.

» Lady Gaga arrives in that freakin' egg, er, "vessel."
Never one to just casually stroll the red carpet in a pretty dress, Lady Gaga went to great lengths to make every element of her Grammy appearance part of a larger art piece that culminated in the performance of her then-new single "Born this Way." It all started on the red carpet, when she arrived already inside her "vessel," later claiming to Jay Leno that she'd been in a state of artistic incubation inside it for 72 hours. (Did you just roll your eyes? We think you just rolled your eyes!) The pop star emerged to deliver a full-voiced — if otherwise joyless — performance of the song, which at the time was drawing heavy criticism for sounding maybe a little too much like Madonna's 1989 classic "Express Yourself," and went on to score three Grammys, including Best Pop Vocal Album for The Fame Monster.

» Did Christina Aguilera fall down after that showstopping Aretha Franklin tribute?
Last year's ceremony kicked off with an Aretha Franklin tribute featuring Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams. The ladies delivered a rousing group performance of "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman" before launching into solos of "Ain't No Way," "Until You Come Back to Me," "Think," "Respect" and "Spirit in the Dark" and closing with "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" — tearing the roof off the Staples Center. Except all anyone wanted to talk about afterward was how Christina maybe slipped a little in her towering heels.

The performance came just one week after Xtina botched "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XLV (luckily, Kelly Clarkson's rendition this year went smoothly), and it seemed like the "Beautiful" singer and "Voice" judge had fully redeemed herself after the debacle, delivering a fantastic vocal performance ... until she stumbled onstage, sending gossips into a tizzy that the singer may have been, we'll say, out of sorts during the performance despite much evidence to the contrary. Or maybe people just like a good near-fall? People get very excited when an entertainer loses her footing — don't they, Madonna?

Anyway, while everyone tried to make Xtina's mini-tumble a bigger story than it was, the ladies earned a richly deserved standing ovation for their tribute to Franklin, who was rather ill at the time but has since recovered, lost a bunch of weight, gotten engaged and ended that engagement. (A year in Hollywood time is like five years in normal person time ... maybe that's why everyone is so afraid of getting older!)

» Bieber performs big, loses Best New Artist to unknown jazz bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding.
Justin Bieber's medley performance began with an acoustic strum through "Baby" but quickly segued into a raucous take on "Never Say Never," complete with breakdancing ninja acrobats, fire breathers and a cameo rap by "Karate Kid" star Jaden Smith. Biebs' mentor Usher even joined in on the fun for a pop-and-lock-heavy dance-off to his hit "OMG."

But the real story with Bieber at last year's Grammys was that he lost. To Esperanza Spalding. A critically acclaimed but otherwise unknown jazz performer. Bieber didn't take the loss so well but his fans went even crazier, expressing the profound sadness they felt and bearing witness to their idol's defeat by hacking Spalding's Wikipedia page and changing her middle name to both "Justin" and "Quesadilla." One fan wrote, "Justin Bieber deserved it go die in a hole. Who the heck are you anyway?" while another scribbled, "So the Esperanza Spalding has only 8 thousand followers on twitter and how many does Justin Bieber has?"

It seems someone forgot to tell the Belieber army that the Grammys are not a popularity contest (well, they're not supposed to be, anyway) and that one's amount of Twitter followers is not taken into account when deciding the winners. Duly noted!

» Katy Perry performed the ballad "Not Like the Movies" while on a swing, playing video from her wedding to Russell Brand.
If you needed further proof that a lot can change in just a single year, look no further than Katy Perry's performance at last year's ceremony. Much like she did on her California Dreams Tour, Perry performed her ballad "Not Like the Movies" while sitting on a swing as video from her elaborate October 2010 wedding to Russell Brand was projected behind her.

Though one would think a sweet performance like Katy's would shut the gossip mill down for at least a little while, the couple was already back to defending their strange union less than two months later when Brand co-hosted "Live!" with Kelly Ripa. By year's end, Perry and Brand's marriage was officially no more, and it made re-watching her performance from last year for the purposes of this article, um, kind of awkward.

» Cee Lo performed "Forget You" with a bunch of Muppets (and Gwyneth Paltrow).
No, no one at your Grammy party spiked your drink. Cee Lo Green, wearing a crazy red bear suit and a rainbow fan of feathers (think peacock), really did perform his Grammy-nominated smash "Forget You" backed by a bunch of singing and dancing Muppets while Oscar-winning home health guru Gwyneth Paltrow writhed atop his piano. Oddly, the whole thing worked like gangbusters and was a big old ball of fun. (And when was the last time anyone associated the word "fun" with Gwyneth Paltrow? Such is the funky power of Cee Lo.)

This year's show has the potential to outdo last year's in the water-cooler department with Rihanna and Chris Brown both set to perform under the same roof for the first time since, well, you know ... in addition to plenty of interesting collabos, including a special electronic dance music performance set to feature the Foo Fighters (right?), and whatever Lady Gaga decides to get into.

What are you most looking forward to at this year's Grammys? Let us know in the comments below.

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• Snooki And Sway Take Over The Grammy Red Carpet

• Lady Gaga Arrives At The 2011 Grammy Awards
• The 2011 Grammy Awards Show
• 2011 Grammy Awards Red Carpet

• Lady Gaga
• Katy Perry

Kanye West
Photo: Flanigan/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — First and foremost, Jimmy Jam is best known as one-half of the most successful production duos on the planet, working with cohort Terry Lewis to amass a string of 16 #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 for the likes of Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson and Usher.

But over the years, Jam has also become known for his work with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, where he currently serves as chair emeritus. Of course, NARAS is the organization that hands out the Grammy Awards, so when MTV News spoke with Jam on Friday night's MusiCares red carpet, we figured there was no one better to weigh in on this year's biggest Grammy controversy: the odd (and some would say inexcusable) absence of Kanye West's universally acclaimed My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy in the Album of the Year category.

And Jam wasn't afraid to address the issue. He'll be the first to admit that sometimes the Grammy voters make, uh, interesting choices when it comes to nominations. He thinks he knows what happened in Kanye's case: He actually put out two really great albums during the eligibility period.

"I was a little surprised that it did not get nominated," Jam said. "But it happens a lot of times when you have two really great records, and by the way, Watch the Throne is a great album on it's own. Sometimes the votes split, and that may have been what happened."

Of course, there are some who believe that the My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy AOTY snub had less to do with vote splitting and more to do with the Grammys' dislike for West and his antics. But Jam wants to let everyone know that's simply not the case. In fact, he's one of the rapper's biggest supporters. To him, this was simply a matter of bad timing. Nothing more, nothing less.

"It's interesting, because we don't really tabulate the votes ... it goes to a separate place [the auditing firm of Deloitte]. We don't touch that stuff," Jam said. "So a lot of times, [we're] very surprised by what the nominations actually end up being. I think Kanye's record is one of the best records of the year, but sometimes it's just timing."

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Performers
• 2012 Grammy Nominees
• 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties

• Kanye West
• Jimmy Jam

Justin Bieber performs at the 2011 Grammy Awards
Photo: Lester Cohen/ WireImage

Last year, Esperanza Spalding beat out sure bets like Justin Bieber, Florence and the Machine and Drake when she won the Best New Artist prize at the 2011 Grammy Awards. The loss was particularly hard on Bieber, who spoke to MTV News shortly after the loss.

"I had no clue what was going to happen; I worked really hard these past few years, and you know, I'm not going to lie — I was disappointed," Bieber told MTV News at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. "But, you know, I'm gonna come back [next year] and we'll take a few home. ... I'm inspired to work harder than I did last year. It's going to be hard, but I'm going to try."

Spalding was nearly as floored by the win as Bieber. "I really didn't think it was going to be me," she told MTV News backstage. "I was one of those [surprised] people. ... It was so unexpected, that's the truth. I'm grateful to all my people in my big musical family that have given me so much support and help over the years. I don't really think this is for me; it's for all of us. And I wish they could all be here to put one finger on this with me."

In the 12 months since last year's Grammy show, Bieber has been everywhere and has certainly lived up to his promise to work hard. He's released new music as well as lots of splashy music videos, gone on an arena-filling world tour, dropped a box-office-busting 3-D concert film, hit the studio for his upcoming album Believe and kept teen girls screaming with an onslaught of various new hairstyles and photo ops.

Spalding, on the other hand, has managed to fly under the radar in the time since she took home Grammy gold. However, this March she plans to get back on the scene and release her new album, Radio Music Society, her follow-up to Chamber Music Society, the 2010 album that helped bring national attention to her at the Grammys last year.

"Originally I thought it would be fun to release a double album," she said in a statement about the soon-to-be released album. "One disc with an intimate, subtle exploration of chamber works and a second one in which jazz musicians explore song forms and melodies that are formatted more along the lines of what we would categorize as pop songs. Those are the two things that really interest me, and it intrigues me to think about different presentation approaches while writing each kind of song."

As she sets out to celebrate the anniversary of her win, Spalding dropped a new track, "Black Gold," to radio, and earlier this month she premiered the video for it. She'll also hit the road for a tour that kicks off in April and wraps up in June.

Interestingly enough, Bieber is also set to drop his new album later this year, for which he's enlisted Drake, will.i.am, Pharrell and Lil Wayne. Could it mean there will be another Bieber/Spalding showdown at the 2013 Grammy Awards? Only time will tell.

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• Backstage Interviews From The Grammys

• 2011 Grammy Awards Red Carpet
• 2012 Grammy Nominees
• 2012 Grammy Rehearsals

• Justin Bieber
• Esperanza Spalding

J. Cole
Photo: C Brandon/ Redferns

As confident as J. Cole sounds in his music, he's not so sure if he'll take home the Best New Artist trophy at Sunday's Grammys.

When the rapper and Jay-Z protégé sat down with MTV News on Friday (February 10), he said he's excited about the Grammy nod but won't really understand the weight of the honor until Sunday night.

"The way I work, I'm day-by-day. I'll really be excited ... the day of," he said. "Once I put on that suit, it changes everything."

The rapper said he was in Amsterdam on the European leg of his tour when he learned he was nominated for the award. He'll be going up against the Band Perry, Bon Iver, Nicki Minaj and Skrillex. Cole said he woke up to the news at 4 in the morning when a friend banged on his hotel door.

"I couldn't believe it. My whole tone changed. I went from mad angry to, like, a little kid. Like, 'Yo, are you serious?' It was a dope moment. We got a couple of my other friends up. Woke everybody up, just chilled in the room, talked about it and went through the whole journey," he said. "It was cool. It was good. A nice moment."

If he doesn't walk away with the win this year, Cole said he'll just work harder to get another nomination next year.

"The Grammy stamp is a validation on an artist. To win it would be even crazier. But the nomination is dope. Everybody wants a Grammy. Just to be nominated and have the chance to have one is incredible," he said. "This is not something I plan on doing one time. Even if I don't win, I plan on being back next year. I think it can go either way."

The one thing he won't do? Write a speech.

"As confident as I sound, I really don't think I'm going to win. It's cool. It's all good," he said. "Anybody can win it."

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties
• 2012 Grammy Performers

• J. Cole

Drake
Photo: MTV News

Picking the "Hottest MCs in the Game" is no easy task — just ask Drake.

Granted, the OVO boss was a bit unprepared for the question when he walked the carpet at the Bing Bar during his trip to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, but Drizzy came up with some favorites.

"Rick Ross, obviously, #1," Drake told MTV News last month before he continued to rattle off more names as they popped into his head. "J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar."

Want to Join the debate? Hit us on Twitter using the hashtag #HottestMC!

Drizzy places bars at a premium, and though it took a few seconds, he name-dropped one of his favorite MCs, calling out an early Wu-Tang Clan affiliate La the Darkman. "Crazy, though, amazing, amazing bars on that," Drake said without naming a specific La mixtape or body of work.

The Take Care MC acknowledged Jay-Z and Kanye's Watch the Throne, as well as Meek Mill and the entire Maybach Music Group. However, he did fail to name his Young Money boss Lil Wayne — though we're sure it was merely an oversight.

When asked to determine what his own positioning on the "Hottest MCs in the Game" list should be, Drake took a very humble road: "Whatever it is, I'm just here, I'm just trying to make good music."

Tune in to MTV2 on Sunday, February 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT to catch "MTV2 Presents: Yo! MTV Raps Classic Cuts," then watch "Hottest MCs in the Game VII" immediately after at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT before capping the night off with "Sucker Free Certified" at 11 p.m. ET/PT.

• Hottest MCs In The Game VII Is Coming

• Rick Ross
• Drake

Adele
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ FilmMagic

Not that there's a bandwagon, but Mary J. Blige says she can't get enough of Grammy-nominated singer Adele.

The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul says that something is wrong if the Brit singer doesn't walk away with all six of her nominations at Sunday's Grammy Awards. Adele is up for several big awards Sunday night, including Album, Record and Song of the Year for her work on the critically acclaimed chart-topper 21.

"I'm sure an Adele fan and I love what she's done this year," Blige said on the red carpet before she took the stage. "Her album was amazing. She's amazing and I'm just rooting for her. I'm rooting for everybody. But you really just want that one person to get what they deserve. Finally. And not give it to someone else [just] because. Just win all six of her awards, you know?"

Grammy winner Blige performed at a private pre-Grammy event on Thursday night at Avalon in Hollywood, where she sang 10 songs including "No More Drama" and "Family Affair." She sang live for a few hundred fans (though it also was streamlined on Facebook), including famous faces like Forrest Whitaker, Chelsea Handler, Sophia Bush, Malin Akerman, Kelis, Paris Hilton and Natasha Bedingfield.

Before performing, Blige explained why it is important to give back as a celebrity. She partnered with Belvedere vodka and RED to help raise funds for the Global Fund, the world's leading financier of programs to Fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!

• 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties
• 2012 Grammy Performers

Photo: Getty Images/ MTV News

Ever since the nominees for the 54th Grammy Awards were announced late last year, we've asked everyone from Vegas-tested professionals to cubicle-dwelling amateurs to predict just who will take home the golden gramophones during Sunday's big show. And basically, they keep telling us the same thing: Adele is just going to win everything.

And they're probably right. After all, her 21 album is an unstoppable juggernaut, selling more than 6 million copies in less than a year, spawning two massive singles and almost singlehandedly keeping the industry afloat during dour times. So, yeah, we feel pretty comfortable referring to her as "the favorite."

Still, it's not as if Adele's Grammy-night triumph is a sure thing (not entirely anyway): In three of the so-called "Big Four" categories — Album, Record and Song of the Year — she'll face stiff challenges from the likes of Mumford & Sons, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Kanye West, to name just a few. In the other "Big Four" category (Best New Artist), she's not nominated — mostly because she won it in 2009.

So with music's biggest night just around the corner, here's a refresher on just who our expert oddsmakers — and resident awards-show expert (uh, me) picked to win at the 54th Grammys:

Record of the Year
Not surprisingly, the U.K.-based oddsmakers at Ladbrokes like Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" here, installing it as the favorite at 2/1 odds. Mumford & Sons' "The Cave" was next, at 9/4 odds, followed by Bruno Mars' "Grenade" at 4/1. I decided to go out on a limb and predict Bon Iver's "Holocene" would build on Arcade Fire's unlikely Album of the Year win at last year's Grammys and shock everyone by winning ROTY. Who's right? Well, probably the pros, but we'll just have to wait until Sunday to know for sure.

Song of the Year
Ladbrokes once again goes for Adele, giving "Rolling in the Deep" 1/1 odds to win. Kanye West's "All of the Lights" is next at 2/1, followed by Mumford & Sons' "The Cave" at 5/1. Me? I'm taking "Deep" too — mostly because it was the year's biggest track, and one look back at previous SOTY winners ("Rehab," "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," etc.) shows you which way this category tends to go.

Album of the Year
Ladbrokes has Adele's 21 as the slight favorite here, giving the disc 11/8 odds. Close behind are Bruno Mars' Doo Wops & Hooligans and the Foo Fighters' Wasting Light, each of whom got 3/1 odds. I also picked 21 to win, but unlike the betting Brits, I didn't think this one would even be close.

Best New Artist
Absent of Adele, BNA may very well be the night's most-competitive category. Ladbrokes certainly seems to agree with that sentiment, as they've installed Nicki Minaj as the slight favorite (6/4 odds), but also kept the Band Perry (9/4), Bon Iver (4/1) and J. Cole (5/1) within striking distance. As for me, I took Minaj too, though I'm not sure how confident I feel about it now. I could certainly see the Band Perry winning instead, though my gut tells me that perhaps it'll be Bon Iver who takes this one home — we'll just have to wait until Sunday to see.

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties
• 2012 Grammy Performers
• 2012 Grammy Nominees

• Adele
• Katy Perry
• Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj
Photo: D. Dipasupil/FilmMagic

Ludacris knows how good it feels to win a Grammy.

The Atlanta-based rapper has three in his collection, and he's hoping his eighth studio album, Ludaversal, brings him a few more. No release date has been set, but it's expected sometime this year.

Luda won his first Grammy for his collaboration with Usher for 2004's contagious single "Yeah."

"Man, it was a great feeling. I'm happy to be working with Usher again on the Ludaversal album so we can come back and win yet another Grammy," Luda told MTV News on Thursday. "My best Grammy experience was winning Best Rap Album for Release Therapy (which was released in 2006). I worked hard on that album specifically to win a Grammy, and I accomplished my goal. So no words can explain how great that felt. But we're coming right back at 'em soon."

His pick for Sunday night is clear: He wants to see Nicki Minaj to win Best New Artist. He worked with the MC on 2010's "My Chick Bad," off his Battle of the Sexes album.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Nicki Minaj. I love her. I'm glad I got a chance to work with her. I'm extremely proud of her," he said. "She's just scratching the surface of what she's capable of. So Nicki: keep doing your thing, girl."

Should Nicki Minaj win Best New Artist? Leave your comment below!

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties
• 2012 Grammy Performers
• 2012 Grammy Rehearsals

• Nicki Minaj
• Ludacris

Andrew Garfield in "The Amazing Spider-Man"
Photo: Sony Pictures

The upcoming reboot "The Amazing Spider-Man" is a prime example of the pressure filmmakers and studios are under to deliver the best adaptation possible. Anyone who's familiar with comic book movies and the corresponding hoopla that surrounds them is more than accustomed to the demands of their fervent fan communities. If that movie is good, it wins support for life. If it's bad, fans have various ways of expressing their disappointment and are not afraid to do so.

Perhaps no one is feeling that pressure at the moment more than the movie's star himself, Andrew Garfield.

When MTV News caught up with Garfield recently before a screening event for the film, we asked him if his level of stress and anxiety is higher now that the release date is approaching or back when he was first cast in the role.

"It's always the same. It's always a [level] 10 inside. It's just a question of whether you acknowledge it or try to ignore it or try to suppress it, or try to pretend like it's not there or act like you don't care," he said. "I'm at a 10 constantly."

Garfield went on to emphasize how much being a true fan informed his performance, in both positive and negative ways.

"It's a huge responsibility for me to be in that suit and to take on the mantle from a fantastic actor previously and from fantastic artists and writers and ultimately Stan Lee. That's where it came from," he said. "I feel lucky and unlucky that I'm a fan first. That's what I am, I'm a Spider-Man fan at my core. I feel lucky in the sense that I feel like I know Peter Parker, because I grew up with him. I feel unlucky in the sense of how disappointed I am that I'm playing him.

"I don't' mean that in a self-deprecating [way]," he added. "No actor could ever live up to the character for me, and that's weird to say because I'm the actor playing this particular incarnation, I can't wait for another actor to take it on so I can judge."

Check out everything we've got on "The Amazing Spider-Man."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

• MTV Rough Cut: Andrew Garfield

Jennifer Lopez at the 2000 Grammys
Photo: Getty Images

What's the point of getting all dolled up for the Grammy Awards if no one notices your outfit? Since not everyone can earn a nomination or score a performance slot, sometimes you have to make your own news by crashing the red carpet with an eye-popping outfit that is sure to get tongues wagging.

It's anyone's guess what this year's attendees will be wearing on Sunday night at the 54th annual awards show, but MTV News will be camped out on the carpet for a full three hours before the festivities kick off and we'll be keeping our eyes peeled for all the outrageous looks and fashions.

Click for photos of our most-shocking Grammy red carpet moments!

In the meantime, we thought it was worth a look back at some of the legendary entrances from Grammys past:

Lady Gaga egg: Sure, Justin Bieber toted his pet snake to last year's show, but it was, of course, Lady Gaga who turned the most heads by getting carried down the carpet in a giant, see-through egg that she incubated in before emerging later in the night for her performance of "Born This Way."

Britney gets bodied: Britney Spears has long prided herself on wearing what she wants, when she wants. But someone should have pulled her aside in 2010 before she exited the car in an oddball Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit overlaid with a lace dress that turned heads for all the wrong reasons.

M.I.A.'s pregnancy chic: With her middle finger firmly tucked into place, the rapper/singer made her way into the 2009 show while nine-months pregnant in a cartoony, ruffled blue maternity dress and matching sneakers.

Coldplay play dress up: It was kind of cool when Coldplay stuck with their bold Sgt. Pepper's-style suits for the whole Viva La Vida tour. But when they wore them to the 2009 show, it just felt ... silly.

OK Go ... back to the drawing board: Viral icons OK Go are experts at drawing attention to their music with trippy, how-did-they-do-that videos. They drew mostly sniggers, though, when they donned matching brocade curtain-looking red-and-gold suits to the 2007 show. Their smartest move may have been to cover their faces with red cloth.

R. Kelly, man of mystery: Kels has made a career out of being inscrutable , but his bold sartorial choice at the 2004 Grammys was, well, weird. From the neck down he wore an elegant three-button black suit and tie, but the matching Robin mask? Who knows?

Alicia Keys gets funky: Nobody really knows what Keys was thinking in 2002 when she walked the carpet wearing embroidered jeans, sandals, a white tank and a sheer green sari-like shift with a built in, bedazzled headdress.

Toni Braxton lets it all hang out: Sometimes it's what you don't wear that gets attention. In 2001, singer Braxton sported a barely-there white "dress" that hardly covered her assets with strips of material that dangled in the front and back.

Jennifer Lopez's plunging neckline: Way before she was an "American Idol" judge, Lopez sent hearts racing in 2000 with her instantly infamous plunging neckline Versace gown.

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Rehearsals
• 2012 Grammy Performers
• 2012 Grammy Nominees
• 2012 Grammy Awards Pre-Parties

• Lady Gaga
• Jennifer Lopez
• M.I.A.

Nicki Minaj
Photo: Getty Images

Fame is beginning to go to Nicki Minaj's head, but not in the way you might think.

The Grammy-nominated rapper revealed to Paper magazine that the more successful she becomes, the more pressure she feels to deliver — and that all that stress is taking a psychological toll.

"Ugh! I have been working so much," the 29-year-old tells interviewer Simon Doonan, Barneys New York's creative ambassador at large. "Success came, and now that so many eyes are on me, I feel I have to deliver. And it's a business. No joke. I guess I'm stressing more than I should be, and I think I am becoming more guarded."

To relax, Ms. Minaj admits to indulging in reality TV — and apparently, a lot of it. "I love ['Mob Wives' star] Big Ang ... And I love the way those girls talk to each other: 'Don't YOU be coming at ME!!!' I love every freakin' moment. And I watch 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' and '[The Real Housewives of] Beverly Hills.' "

Music, of course, is also an emotional outlet for the rap star. She says the process of recording her upcoming album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, made her feel "very free."

"The album is like a collage of all my emotions. I'm not sticking to any particular style. I am doing what I feel without restrictions. So it's very free and very me."

The issue hits stands on February 20.

Meanwhile, look for Minaj this Sunday at the Grammys, where she is expected to perform her new single "Roman Holiday." She is also up for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance for "Moment 4 Life" with Drake.

Are you excited to hear "Roman Holiday" at the Grammys? Leave your comment below!

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss Sway and James Montgomery live from the Grammys red carpet this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered until the Grammy hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Nominees

• Nicki Minaj

Kanye West
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

John Legend is bummed that his buddy and collaborator Kanye West isn't up for one of the biggest awards at the Grammys. The rapper and producer is the most nominated musician going into Sunday, but his work is missing from the coveted Album of the Year category.

"Well, I was rooting for Kanye and Jay-Z [Watch the Throne] to be nominated for album of the year or Kanye's album [My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy] to be nominated for album of the year. So I'm a little disappointed that it's not," Legend told MTV News. "I really thought [MBDTF] was the best work that was done in popular music this year, as far as a great album that you could listen to all the way through and really enjoy. It had some hit songs and just had ... quality tracks all the way through."

That said, he's tossing his support behind critical favorite Adele. The Brit has many celebrity fans, and many of her musical colleagues are rooting for her to take home the night's top prize.

"I'm really happy for Adele. I think she's an amazing artist and she seems to be the odds-on favorite to win a lot of awards and she deserves it. And we'll see what else happens," Legend said. "It's hard to call these awards. Sometimes you think you know who's going to win, but they surprise you."

And what about West? Is he upset that his work didn't get nominated for Album of the Year?

"I don't want to speak for him," Legend said, adding, "I was upset that he didn't. I really felt like I heard a lot of music this year and this was my favorite album. I just think he made two exceptional albums that were both eligible this year. ... Maybe they canceled each other out. I wish he was up for Album of the Year."

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Nominees
• 2012 Grammy Rehearsals

• Kanye West
• John Legend

David Guetta
Photo: Larry Marano/ Getty Images

Kudos to the Academy. They've pretty much nailed it when it comes to the Grammy nominees in what's arguably the most-important dance-related category Sunday night: Best Dance Recording. In 2011, the U.S. EDM market saw an explosion the likes of which hadn't seen since the punk rock revolution back in the '90s, and those given the nod are a testament to its abounding success.

A category once graced by Madonna, Britney and Gaga is now overrun by the Prince of Dubstep, a monstrous mouse, a turntable whiz and his NYC cohort, three rock stars of house, a Frenchman with a Swedish prodigy and a girl who originally showed us love in the '90s. Each one of the nominees was not only at the helm for producing a killer track, but was at the forefront of a movement that is changing the tastes of the American mainstream and truly defining cool culture.

In further recognition of EDM's explosion, the Grammys have lined up an all-star crew for a dance-music performance Sunday night in a tent outside Staples Center. Chris Brown, the Foo Fighters and Lil Wayne will join EDM superstars deadmau5 and David Guetta for a genre-busting performance that will highlight dance/electronica music. This marks the first Grammy performance to shed light on the increasingly popular genre, which has recently seeped into every form of music.

For anyone still getting their feet wet in the scene, fear not: We've broken down the Best Dance Recording noms, put together a little prediction of who will probably win, based on how these things have gone in the past, and who should win — as in, what might best be accepted and respected by the EDM masses. It could very well be a pivotal year for the Grammys — if they get it right.

Best Dance Recording Nominees
deadmau5 and Greta Svabo Bech, "Raise Your Weapon": deadmau5 went dubstep with this little experiment, and it earned him high marks. The angelic vocals of Bech, juxtaposed with signature ruff and rugged dubstep riffs, this track catapulted itself into a monster. deamau5 again showcased his versatility while (for the most part) maintaining that signature deadmau5 sound, but was it original enough for what we usually expect from this seemingly unconquerable musical madman?

Duck Sauce, "Barbra Streisand": In 2009, iconic NYC house-music icon Armand Van Helden paired up with Canadian spin master A-Trak in a collaborative effort named after the most popular of all condiments in pan-Asian cuisine. Since then, they've become one of the most popular dance acts around, in large part due to this crossover smash that pays homage to one of America's most beloved entertainers. The tune is decked out with a spirited house groove and a vocal hook that everyone knows the words to. You'd have to have lived on the moon to not have heard this one, and have no soul to do anything but love it.

David Guetta and Avicii, "Sunshine": True EDM fans can't complain on this one. It's progressive house at its finest. EDM loyalists all the world over were ecstatic to see Guetta distancing himself from the Peas and picking up on Avicii, who is simply one of the most insanely talented producers out there. Try listening to this tune and not smiling ear to ear. It combines Avicii's signature piano riffs and progressive charm with Guetta's thunderous big room house and ability to produce bangers at a moment's notice. The production value of "Sunshine" is precise, clean and harmonious. If the Academy is properly tuned in, this thumper has a good chance of coming out the victor.

Robyn, "Call Your Girlfriend": Taking nothing away, this is a killer tune by one of the key players in the dance-music crossover. However, it was Kaskade's remix (un-nominated) that truly resonated with the EDM masses. Regardless, the original was a monster in the mainstream, and the killer cut off the third installment of Body Talk has absolutely taken Robyn to new heights and solidified her place as one of the all-time dance-music greats.

Skrillex, "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites": This track was Dubstep 101 to anyone who'd never heard the genre. Call it "brostep" if you will, but you can't deny that it expanded the sonic pallet of anyone who dared to listen to it. Some would say EDM noobs as a whole probably think the track defines the movement as a whole, which is less than accurate. Never the less, Skrillex and "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" is a very fitting example of what helped push dance music into the spotlight in 2011. Don't be surprised to see Skrillex walking away with the golden gramophone.

Swedish House Mafia, "Save the World": The year 2011 was perhaps an incubation period for the rock stars of house. Having released just a pair of tracks in the calendar year, the Swedes went a little more pop on this than they had in the past, but nevertheless, still gave their loyal following what they wanted with a killer hook and an impossible-not-to-sing-along vocal provided by fellow Swede John Martin. If videos were involved in the selection, this would certainly take the prize. Heroic puppies and house music? A match made in heaven.

Who Should Win
David Guetta and Avicii, "Sunshine"

Who Probably Will Win
Skrillex, "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites"

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Nominees
• 2012 Grammy Performers

• David Guetta
• deadmau5

Romeo Santos
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

For over 15 years, Romeo Santos was the lead singer of the popular bachata group, Aventura. They performed across the globe, won 21 Billboard Latin Music Awards and released six studio albums — but now, Santos is stepping out on his own.

The Bronx, New York, singer is returning to his hometown to play three sold-out shows at New York's famous Madison Square Garden, a venue he sold out numerous times with his former band.

"I love performing in New York," Santos recently told MTV News. "Just something about the energy that the crowd gives you, you give it back, a lot of interaction. I'm looking forward to it."

Yet, this time, it will be a different experience for Santos, since he will be performing on his own. This past November, Santos released his debut solo album, Formula, Vol. 1, which mixes his famous bachata style with R&B. On Friday (February 10), Santos will kick off his tour at MSG, performing for the first time in over a year. So, what can this sold-out crowd expect?

"A lot of energy," Santos said. "I don't like to plans things a lot. It's gonna be a show with a little bit of everything. You're gonna hear some of my Aventura classics, nearly every single song on my new album, Formula, Vol. 1, and what I do is I go onstage and I just ride it out. I don't like planning what am I gonna say to the crowd. Sometimes the show takes a whole different twist."

Santos, who said he's more anxious than nervous to take the stage without his Aventura bandmates, will be on the road until the end of March, and is humbled by the positive response he's received from his fans.

"I'm really, really grateful. I don't take anything for granted," Santos said. "I've been working very, very hard. I was very focused on this last production. I wanted it to represent a lot and not abandon my genre, my roots. "

Santos, who teamed up with Usher and Lil Wayne on his debut album, is not ruling out the possibility that these two might join him onstage during his tour.

"It's possible," he said. "What I normally do is keep it a surprise, but it's a possibility."

Are you excited to see Romeo Santos in concert? Tell us in the comments.

• Romeo Santos

Barack Obama
Photo: Shahar Azran/WireImage

We already know President Obama likes to listen to (and occasionally sing) Al Green songs. And he's told us that his iPod has a bit of Jay-Z and Lil Wayne on it. But with the toughest re-election campaign of his career on the horizon, what music will Obama 2012 be using to pump up crowds at rallies?

Judging by a playlist uploaded to Spotify this week, it looks like a cheerful, noncontroversial mix of classic rock, country, soul and R&B, but, alas, no hip-hop.

Instead, in a clear bid to appeal to the broad middle, Obama chose songs by beloved soul acts like Booker T. & the MG's ("Green Onions"), Earth Wind & Fire ("Got to Get You Into My Life"), The Impressions ("Keep on Pushing") and, yes, Green (the pleading "Let's Stay Together").

From the rock pile, he went with Wilco ("I Got You"), Arcade Fire ("We Used to Wait"), U2 ("Even Better Than the Real Thing") and the new blue-collar recession anthem from Bruce Springsteen ("We Take Care of Our Own"). For those visits to the heartland, he loaded up on country goodness from Sugarland ("Stand Up" and "Everyday America"), Darius Rucker ("This"), Zac Brown Band ("Keep Me in Mind") and Dierks Bentley ("Home").

There are a few oddball picks in there as well, including a deep cut from No Doubt ("Different People"), a very literal AM radio staple from REO Speedwagon ("Roll with the Changes"), a cover of the Band's "The Weight" by Aretha Franklin, some indie rock from Noah and the Whale ("Tonight's the Kind of Night") and a Ricky Martin/ Joss Stone duet ("The Best Thing About Me Is You").

While likely GOP opponent Mitt Romney takes the stage to the rousing strains of Kid Rock's Americana anthem "Born Free," Obama plans to get crowds pumped with the likes of modern R&B master Raphael Saadiq ("Keep Marchin' "), Florence and the Machine ("You've Got the Love") and afro-era prog popsters Electric Light Orchestra ("Mr. Blue Sky").

Rounding out the list is obscure jam act AgesAndAges, whose "No Nostalgia" is a handclapping ditty that just begs for a group hug, Jennifer Hudson's "Love You I Do," Ledisi's self-explanatory "Raise Up," James Taylor's feel-good "Your Smiling Face," country duo Montgomery Gentry's small-town homage "My Town" and Ray LaMontagne's tear-in-your-beer lovefest "You Are the Best Thing."

It might sound tame, but don't forget that back in 2008 when he was still just Candidate Obama, the president's taste in music was pretty similar. At the time, the future boomer-in-chief said he listened to everything from Bob Dylan, Elton John, Earth Wind & Fire and the Rolling Stones to Sheryl Crow, Springsteen and a number of jazz and classic giants, including Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Yo-Yo Ma.

What songs would you add to the president's playlist? Let us know in comments below!

Check back for up-to-the-minute coverage of the primaries and stick with PowerOf12.org throughout the 2012 presidential election season.

• Bruce Springsteen
• Ricky Martin
• Al Green
• U2

Adam Levine rehearsing for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards
Photo: Rick Diamond/ WireImage

LOS ANGELES — Everywhere you turn inside Staples Center, there are people (and things) in motion: Set pieces are being noisily constructed (and just as noisily deconstructed), lights are raised to the ceiling, focused, then lowered again, cameras on cranes swoop in and nearly scrape the stage, walkie-talkies crackle, security guards shift their weight from one foot to the other, musicians scramble down hallways, techs assemble drum kits and tune guitars, directors shout instructions and stare intently at their clipboards. If there's a method to all this madness, it is not readily apparent. Mostly, you just try to stay out of the way.

It's all in preparation for Sunday's 54th Grammy Awards, of course, and if everything goes according to plan, you probably won't even notice the intricate details (camera movements, presenter cues, etc.) that were rehearsed time and time again or think twice about just how they get all those massive video screens to work in perfect synchronization. The goal is to make these things all appear to be seamless, effortless, nearly invisible. Which is why, in the days leading up to the big show, the Staples Center is one continuously buzzing hive of activity.

Onstage, Foster the People, Maroon 5 and the recently reunited Beach Boys are working out the kinks for their Sunday-night performance, which, at the moment, include monitor malfunctions, a de-tuned organ and a wayward timpani drum. Maroon frontman Adam Levine stands stage left, fiddling with his in-ear and humming his harmonies over and over again. At one point, a stagehand saves him from being smashed by a gigantic LED screen, which is being lowered directly above his head. Stage right, Mark Foster has his arms crossed, a gigantic smile creased across his face, marveling at the sheer spectacle of the thing. Eventually, after an army of producers and techs have crisscrossed the stage, the Beach Boys amble up, take their places and, without a moment of rehearsal, positively nail the wide-screen harmonies of "Good Vibrations." Levine can't help but laugh at the display, and as the song lilts along, he mimes the crashing timpani drums and mouths the chorus.

Of course, the action onstage is only part of the production (though it is a part that truly never ends; LL Cool J and Nicki Minaj are set to rehearse Friday (February 10), and there are rumors that both Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen will share the stage at some point too). While instruments are tuned and harmonies perfected, an army of production assistants are busy plotting the Grammy seating chart — a bit of well-planned politicking that's nearly as important to the attendees as actually winning a gilded gramophone. Seatmates are meticulously plotted by producers, and how close you sit to the stage itself (and who you're sitting with) is a pretty good representation of just how much clout you've got.

Which means that, on Sunday, the front row will be populated by Katy Perry, Rihanna and Fergie. Heavily-favored Adele will sit in row two, next to Bruce Springsteen. Taylor Swift shares a row with Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga is seated next to Miranda Lambert, Bon Iver is across the aisle from R. Kelly (imagine the possibilities!), and Chris Brown will rub elbows with the indomitable Diana Ross.

Of course, all of this could change — these are just the rehearsals after all. And as the countdown to the big show continues, there's still a whole lot of rehearsing to do. Even after the show goes live, that constant blur of motion inside Staples is likely to continue unabated. This is music's biggest night, after all.

Chaos! Profanity! Wardrobe malfunctions! Don't miss our Grammy red-carpet live stream this Sunday, February 12, for a full three hours of mayhem, starting at 5 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And the fun doesn't end Sunday: MTV News has you covered for all the Grammy red-carpet fashion, Grammy winners and Grammy news until the hangover wears off!

• A Guide To The Grammys 2012

• 2012 Grammy Rehearsals

• Rihanna
• Katy Perry