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"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. But, you know, I'm gonna come back [next year] and we'll take a few home."

-Canadian singing sensation and newly-minted film star Justin Bieber, commenting on his loss in the Best New Artist category at Sunday night's (February 13) 53rd Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The 16-year-old singer faced stiff competition for Best New Artist from the likes of Drake, Mumford & Sons and Florence and the Machine, but many expected that Bieber would be walking away with the hardware. In the end, he lost out to winner Esperanza Spalding, a bassist who has been making an impact in the jazz world for years and who was a relative unknown among pop fans.

Still, just because he failed to walk out with an award doesn't mean that the night was a bust. Bieber's performance (with an assist from Usher and Jayden Smith) was one of the most talked-about of the evening, and the singer himself felt extremely good about the work he put forth on stage. "I got a standing O, which was amazing," he told MTV News' Sway backstage after the show had wrapped. "Usher and Jayden did incredible, and I'm really excited. Tonight was an amazing night."

And because he's already a pro, Bieber went out of his way to pay his respects to Spalding after the show, and let his fans know that it wasn't the end of the world. "Bieber fans, don't get too upset," he laughed. "Be happy."

Tags Grammy Awards, Grammys, Justin Bieber, Quote, video

Considering that indie icons Arcade Fire walked away with the Album of the Year prize at Sunday night's (February 13) 53rd Grammy Awards, perhaps the biggest news in the indie rock universe came from the United Kingdom. In the wee hours of Monday morning (February 14), Radiohead announced that not only was their new album completely done and would be called The King of Limbs, but it would also be available for a download this Saturday, February 19. The sudden announcement echoes the way Radiohead's In Rainbows first got introduced to the universe back in 2007, when the band made the announcement that they were done with the album and then released it on the very same day (though this time around you'll actually have to pay full price for the album, rather than pay what you want).

Radiohead's latest album represents a continuing trend in the music world. In an age when early leaks can cost artists and labels a hefty sum, getting the music out there (and establishing the cost of it) as early as possible has been a boon to a number of bands over the past few years. Here are a few of the greatest (and most successful) experiments from the past few years.

Radiohead, In Rainbows
Back in the fall of 2007, rumors had circulated that Radiohead were in the studio and working on an album, though nobody knew when it would be finished or released. The Internet got its answer one morning when the band not only announced that In Rainbows was done but that it was also available immediately. Fans could pay whatever they felt like for a digital download of the album, with the option to order a deluxe edition for significantly more.

Nine Inch Nails, Ghosts I-IV
Once Trent Reznor liberated himself from his record label, he went on a crazy jag of creative output. First up was Ghosts I-IV, a series of instrumentals that he described as "soundtracks to daydreams." A mysterious post went up on the Nine Inch Nails website that said "2 weeks!" and two weeks later Ghosts I-IV appeared as a free download (in an interesting twist, Reznor even made a free torrent available). Like Radiohead, more deluxe editions of the album were made available at greater price points, including a "Ultra-Deluxe Limited Edition" that sold for $300 and moved all 2,500 copies made.

The Raconteurs, Consolers of the Lonely
Jack White had always protected his music while with the White Stripes (journalists used to have to jump through hoops to hear new albums, especially when Icky Thump came out), and he transferred that same philosophy over to his band the Raconteurs. When the time came to put out their second album, rumors swirled around the Internet for a day or two before the band officially announced that Consolers of the Lonely existed and that it would be ready to buy at iTunes in a week (though iTunes did end up selling it early).

Nine Inch Nails, The Slip
Following the success of Ghosts I-IV, Reznor dropped a proper Nine Inch Nails album a few months later. Called The Slip, it appeared on the Nine Inch Nails website with the simple message, "This one's on me." Once again, a physical edition was made available some time later.

What's your favorite last-minute album? Let us know in the comments!

Tags Jack-White, Nine-Inch-Nails, Radiohead, The-Raconteurs

Sunday night's (February 13) 53rd Grammy Awards featured no shortage of stars, from the nominees to the performers to the parents of the nominees and performers (we're looking at you, Drake's mom and the Smith family). Even stars who weren't directly involved in the show were there to help celebrate, including Cyndi Lauper (who got an awful lot of screen time thanks to her always-reliable reaction shots) and Nicole Kidman (who accompanied husband Keith Urban and sang and danced along to most everything on stage).

Both international R&B sensation Jay Sean and "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi were in attendance as well. Snooki was busy hosting the MTV News live stream "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," which Jay Sean was there to build buzz for his upcoming album Freeze Time.

When the two came together on the red carpet, they bonded over slang. Snooki has done plenty to introduce new words into the lexicon, and Jay Sean was more than happy to explain a British word to her.

"I just wanted to say that I really, really love your accent," Snooki told Sean in the midst of his red carpet interview. "Can you say, 'Yo Snooki, let's smush'?"

Sean was game, though he wanted to take it a step further. "Instead of smush, I'll tell you what we say," he told the television star. "Let's snog."

Snooki had a bit of trouble with the vowel, but in the end, it made for a great step forward in international relations (especially following Snooki's British accent). "I want to bring the British lingo over here, man," Jay Sean told Sway. "We've got so many words you guys don't use."

Tags Grammy Awards, Grammys, Jay Sean, Snooki, video

If you're anything like the MTV Newsroom staff, then the 53rd Grammy Awards kept you up until all hours on Sunday night (February 13). So now that you're already used to staying up past your bedtime, why not spend the rest of your week staying up late and watching talk shows? It's a good week for it, as there are some truly top-shelf guests hitting the studios this week — many of them fresh from their Grammy victories. For example, Lady Gaga will sit down and chat with Jay Leno on "The Tonight Show" on Monday night (February 14), where she will no doubt discuss her much-talked-about egg-assisted entrance on the red carpet. Other guests on "The Tonight Show" this week include John Legend (Monday), Charles Barkley (Wednesday, February 16) and 30 Seconds to Mars (Friday, February 18).

Meanwhile, David Letterman has cast his lot in another direction this week, as both his Monday and Tuesday (February 15) shows will prominently feature models from the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. They'll read a Top 10 list on Monday (where Letterman will also reveal the cover), and the cover model will sit on the couch on Tuesday. Letterman will also chat with Paris Hilton on Thursday (February 17), which means it should be an epic week on "The Late Show." Jimmy Kimmel has a big week on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" as well, as he'll have Jewel (Monday), Jeremy Renner (Tuesday), Javier Bardem (Wednesday) and Keri Hilson (Thursday). Jimmy Fallon will have a big music week, as the performers on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" include Greyson Chance (Monday), Drive-By Truckers (Tuesday) and the supremely strange hip-hop collective Odd Future (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, Conan O'Brien might have everybody beat this week, as his Monday show features both Justin Bieber and Grammy winners the Black Keys. This week will also see visits from Dr. Phil (Tuesday), Fred Armisen (Wednesday) and Miami Heat star Chris Bosh (Thursday).

Tags Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Late Night, Talk Shows

The 53rd Grammy Awards were full of stellar performances, big upsets and more than a few delightful surprises. But Sunday night's (February 13) excitement got started even before the curtain raised at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as the Grammy Awards red carpet was a hive of superstar activity. MTV News was live on the scene with a two-hour live streaming show called "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," which brought together MTV News' veteran voice Sway and "Jersey Shore" breakout star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi (with a handful of cameos by MTV News' James Montgomery). The trio talked to all the big stars, including Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, B.o.b and Jennifer Hudson.

(Click here for photos of Snooki and Sway on the red carpet with all the top Grammy stars, including Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, Drake and Jennifer Lopez!)

But what were Snooki's favorite moments from her co-hosting job as an MTV News correspondent? After the show, she talked to Sway and Montgomery about her top moments.

"Top three favorite moments? Talking to Nicki Minaj," Snooki said. "She recognized me, so that was crazy." That meet-up was particularly interesting, as not only was Minaj's hair taller than Snooki, but the chart-topping rapper also grabbed a handful of Snooki's cleavage during the interview.

Snooki also noted that she very much enjoyed talking to Drake's mom (who was the Best New Artist-nominated rapper's date at the show. But Snooki's most favorite moment of the red carpet celebration was the highlight for a lot of people present. "Seeing Lady Gaga in the egg and having her wave hello to us," Snooki added. "That was insane."

(Click here for photos of Snooki and Sway on the red carpet with all the top Grammy stars, including Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, Drake and Jennifer Lopez!)

What was your favorite moment from "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys"? Let us know in the comments!

Tags drake, Grammy Awards, Grammys, Lady Gaga, nicki minaj, Snooki, video

Lady Gaga was nominated for half a dozen prizes at Sunday night's (February 13) 53rd Grammy Awards, and the envelope-pushing pop star walked away with three victories. Her incredible single "Bad Romance" scored two wins (for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Short Form Music Video) while her album The Fame Monster picked up the gold for Best Pop Vocal Album.

(Click here for pictures from Lady Gaga's night at the 53rd Grammy Awards, including her eye-popping entrance and her photo ops with Usher and Willow Smith!)

But in between receiving awards, Gaga kept busy. After making the evening's biggest red carpet entrance (which saw her carried into the Staples Center in an egg-shaped vessel that was carried by a series of scantily-clad servants), Gaga took the stage during the show's first hour to deliver an electric version of her just-released new single "Born This Way." Surrounded by dancers, Gaga found the song's heavy groove and even added a pipe organ solo for good measure.

While she was in the audience, there always seemed to be a flurry of activity surrounding her. In between meeting Usher and Justin Bieber (who gave her a hug following her victory for Best Pop Vocal Album), she managed to squeeze in a costume change and even found time to bond with Willow Smith.

(Click here for pictures from Lady Gaga's night at the 53rd Grammy Awards, including her eye-popping entrance and her photo ops with Usher and Willow Smith!)

Though she came up short on three awards (most notably losing Album of the Year to Arcade Fire), Lady Gaga certainly walked away from the Grammy Awards a winner. And with Born This Way on the horizon, those victories will keep on coming.

What was your favorite Lady Gaga moment of the 53rd Grammy Awards? Let us know in the comments!

Tags Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, photo, Usher, Willow Smith

Sunday night's (February 13) 53rd Grammy Awards were full of surprises, from Esperanza Spalding's Best New Artist victory to Mick Jagger's alarmingly sharp performance during his tribute to the late Solomon Burke. But the show saved the biggest shocker for last, as Arcade Fire's The Suburbs took home the hardware for Album of the Year. The Canadian band, who had the smallest profile of any artist nominated in the category, scored the victory in between their two electric performances — including one that ended the show.

It's been something of a long time coming for Arcade Fire, who have been nominated for several Grammys in the past but have never won. Their 2004 debut Funeral was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album in 2006 (it lost to the White Stripes' Get Behind Me Satan) and their sophomore release Neon Bible got a nod for the same award in 2008 (they were bested a second time by the White Stripes, who won for Icky Thump). In a strange twist, Arcade Fire's The Suburbs were also nominated for Best Alternative Music Album this year, though it lost to the Black Keys' Brothers. (How an album could be the best overall but not in the Alternative category is a mystery, but so are many of the decisions made by Grammy voters.)

The win for Album of the Year wraps up an incredible run for Arcade Fire, who saw their album debut at the top of the Billboard chart (an amazing feat for a band on an independent label) and who headlined Lollapalooza and sold out Madison Square Garden. In honor of their big win (and the huge chart bump they are likely to pick up this week), check out the video for the title track to The Suburbs, which proves that they're not only musical geniuses but visual innovators as well.

Tags Arcade-Fire, Grammy Awards, Grammys, video

On Sunday night (February 13), the 53rd Grammy Awards unleashed a series of extra-memorable moments, including multiple wins by Lady Gaga and Eminem, Arcade Fire's upset victory in the Album of the Year category and some amazing presenter pairings (including the tag team of Selena Gomez and Donnie Wahlberg). But the biggest headlines came out of the cavalcade of performances over the course of the show's three-and-a-half hours, including stunning presentations from artists both young (Arcade Fire, Muse, Justin Bieber) and less young (Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Barbra Streisand).

Though most everybody put forth an astounding effort during the show, which performance stood tallest as the evening's best? Here's a reminder of what you might have missed.

Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams
The evening kicked off with a tribute to Aretha Franklin, care of some of the biggest voices in pop music. Welch was especially electric, proving that she belonged alongside the rest of the divas.

Lady Gaga
Her royal weirdness did not disappoint, as her performance of "Born This Way" featured some killer dance movies and an even deadlier pipe organ solo.

Muse
The winners of the Best Rock Album award tore through yet another smoking version of "Uprising."

B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae
In what might have been the night's most eclectic performance, Mars proved himself to be one of the hardest-working guys in the business, as he moved from piano to vocals to drums.

Lady Antebellum
The night's biggest winners not only delivered their smash "Need You Now" (for the second straight year) but also paid tribute to Teddy Pendergrass.

Miranda Lambert
Country's next big crossover sensation proved why she was about to pop with a smooth take on her "The House That Built Me."

Justin Bieber, Usher and Jaden Smith
Bieber certainly had a big weekend, as not only did his movie rake in $30 million but he also performed a jumpy version of "Never Say Never" with Smith. Usher's "OMG" was just icing on the cake.

Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons and Avett Brothers
Roots rock lived as two of the indie world's grittiest acts laid out some sweet musicianship before everybody jammed on Dylan's "Maggie's Farm" (complete with always-excellent harmonica solo).

Cee Lo Green, Gwyneth Paltrow and the Muppets
Two words: Peacock suit. Also: Muppets!

Mick Jagger
In the evening's most surprisingly thrilling performance, the Rolling Stones frontman made his Grammy debut in a tribute to late soul legend Solomon Burke.

John Mayer, Keith Urban and Norah Jones
In an impromptu performance, Mayer, Urban and Jones laid out a quick, spry version of "Jolene" as a tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dolly Parton.

Barbra Streisand
The legendary diva brought back "Evergreen," which won a Grammy way back in 1978.

Katy Perry
In a performance dedicated to "all the Valentine lovers," Perry proved she could hold her own both as a balladeer and as a sugar-coated pop princess.

Eminem, Rihanna and Dr. Dre
Dre's return to the Grammy stage was epic, as "Love the Way You Lie" gave way to "I Need a Doctor."

Rihanna and Drake
Rihanna pulled double duty on Sunday night, as her second performance (this time with Drake on "What's My Name") was just as passionate as her turn on "Love the Way You Lie."

Arcade Fire
Just before they won Album of the Year, Arcade Fire delivered a sweaty, ballsy performance accompanied by a bunch of guys on BMX bikes.

So which one was the best? Vote in the poll below and leave your arguments in the comments!

Tags Eminem, Grammy Awards, Grammys, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Poll

Justin Bieber may not have come away with one of the evening's most coveted awards (he lost the Best New Artist prize to Esperanza Spalding), but that doesn't mean his experience at the 53rd Grammy Awards was anything less than stellar. The 16-year-old Canadian singing sensation certainly seemed to be having fun while in attendance at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. His performance, which included an acoustic rendition of "Baby," a smoking run through "Never Say Never" (with rap assistance courtesy of fellow underage star and friend Jaden Smith) and yet another high-profile performance of Usher's "OMG" (which also included a guest spot from Bieber right at the end). Bieber's minutes on stage were some of the most electric of the night.

(Click here for photos from Justin Bieber's night at the 53rd Grammy Awards, from the red carpet to backstage and beyond!)

But he didn't stop there, as the singer made his way around the venue with the grace and style of a veteran. Dressed in a white tuxedo and armed with a seat in the front row, Bieber was clearly visible for most of the show, and he could often be seen conversing with Usher (who was seated just to his right). During the breaks, Bieber made a habit of circulating, hanging out with his parents, chatting with Usher and Smith and even making his way over to pay his respects to Lady Gaga (who got a Bieber-sized hug for her efforts). He also spent some quality time with fashion plate and fellow Atlanta native Cee Lo Green, whose on-stage costume proved to be one of the most popular of the evening.

(Click here for photos from Justin Bieber's night at the 53rd Grammy Awards, from the red carpet to backstage and beyond!)

What was your favorite Justin Bieber moment from the 53rd Grammy Awards? Let us know in the comments!

Tags Grammy Awards, Grammys, Justin Bieber, photo

Welcome to the 53rd Grammy Awards, which will be featuring appearances and performances from some of the biggest names in music. Those names include Eminem (who leads all nominees and who could make history this evening), Lady Gaga (fresh off the premiere of her new single "Born This Way"), Rihanna, Drake, Arcade Fire, Cee Lo Green, Justin Bieber (who is currently in a knock-down, drag-out box office battle with Adam Sandler's "Just Go With It" for the coveted first place spot), Muse, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson and Bob Dylan (just for good measure). It promises to be an eventful, historic night, and the MTV Newsroom Blog is going to be right on top of all the most outstanding performances, biggest awards upsets and most incredible Grammy moments. The show always features a number of surprises (both scheduled and not), so it should be a fantastically entertaining three-and-a-half hours.

(Click here for all the best photos from the 53rd Grammy Awards red carpet, featuring Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and others!)

So grab a snack, crack open a cold beverage and follow along with the official Grammy Awards live blog. Between the broadcast and the MTV News correspondents on the ground (including Sway and James Montgomery), it should be jam-packed full of reports, observations and behind-the-scenes tidbits that are sure to make your Grammy experience complete.

11:28: Well, that was an unusual evening, wasn't it? Stay tuned to this space and to MTV News for all the latest backstage gossip, interviews with the winners (and losers), tales from the after-parties and all the analysis from one of music's biggest nights. Thanks for hanging out!

11:26: It has been a crazy year for Arcade Fire, who went to number one on the Billboard chart, headlined Lollapalooza and sold out Madison Square Garden. With this victory, they are now not just a cult favorite — they're one of the biggest bands in the world.

11:24: In an astounding upset, Arcade Fire grab the Grammy for Album of the Year. They seems genuinely shocked at the development. They thank Canada and return to their instruments to play the show out. "We're gonna play another song, because we love music," Win Butler says.

11:22: Were people really clamoring for Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson to get back together? In any event, they're here to give out the prize for Album of the Year.

11:14: The crowd at the Staples Center has no idea what they are looking at, partially because of the weirdness of Arcade Fire and partially because of those strobe lights.

11:11: Jason Segel welcomes us to the Grammys over three hours into the show. He's here to pull back the curtain on Arcade Fire, who as we've been reminded all night are making their Grammy Awards debut.

11:06: The only thing left tonight is Arcade Fire's performance and the award for Album of the Year. Who is going to take home the top prize of the night? Will Lady Antebellum continue their streak?

11:04: Congratulations to Lady Antebellum and "Need You Now." They're totally going to win Album of the Year, aren't they?

11:02: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony come out to give out the hardware for Record of the Year. This should go to Cee Lo, Eminem or Jay-Z, right?

11:01: Drake's verse in "What's My Name" is pretty filthy, isn't it? Also, are they reenacting "The Wicker Man" behind Rihanna?

10:58: Diddy (who has won three Grammys himself) introduces Rihanna and Drake, who are staging "What's My Name" around a giant bonfire. There has been an awful lot of fire tonight, right?

10:53: Eminem picks up another award for Best Rap Album (it's the fifth of his career in this category). He gives props to Rihanna, Dr. Dre, his producers, the fans and Detroit.

10:50: Nicki Minaj and will.i.am are here to give out the prize for Best Rap Album. Nicki's hair is crazy sick. And so is B.o.B's red dinner jacket.

10:46: Kris Kristofferson comes out to introduce Barbra Streisand (who was MusiCares' Person of the Year). Streisand — who hasn't lost much in the vocal department — to sing "Evergreen," which won a Grammy way back in 1978.

10:42: During the break, Lady Gaga returned to her seat and received an embrace from none other than Justin Bieber. A great meeting between two of the biggest stars on the planet and a true Grammy moment.
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Tags Eminem, Grammy Awards, Grammys, Lady Gaga