For the past decade it seems that album sales have seriously dropped and the Grammys are struggling with a decline in audience. Last year's viewership was probably the lowest ever. The Grammys telecast from last year drew 17.5 million viewers, which means off 12 percent from the year before, and down 42 percent from the all-time high of 30 million in 1993.

 

Rapper Lil Wayne with eight nominations and British rock band Coldplay with seven are considered to be the top contenders. Lil Wayne is craving to be awarded for "Tha Carter III" while Ne-Yo expects the same thing for “Year of the Gentkeman.”

 

"Raising Sand," the acclaimed collaboration between former Led Zeppelin rocker Robert Plant and American bluegrass singer Alison Krauss is also one of the favorite releases. Rounder Records, a label that specializes in roots music, takes the credit for that.

 

Radiohead will be joined on stage by Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo and Smokey Robinson who are teaming for a Four Tops tribute with the last surviving original member, Duke Fakir. The The Jonas Brothers are stuck with Stevie Wonder while Paul McCartney, backed by Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl on drums, will sing “I Saw Her Standing There.” Among many other participants we include Kid Rock, Neil Diamond, M.I.A., Rihanna's with Chris Brown performing “Live Your Life” and “Disturbia” as a rock anthem and, last but not least, Katy Perry, of course.