Jelaskan "Orion" – Carolyn Malachi dari Penghargaan Grammy ke-53

"Tightrope" – Janelle Monáe & Big Boi

Best R&B Song"Shine"John Stephens, songwriter (John Legend & The Roots) "Bittersweet"

Charles Harmon & Claude Kelly, songwriters (Fantasia)

Ivan "Orthodox" Barias, Curt Chambers, Carvin "Ransum" Haggins, Jaheim Hoagland & Miquel Jontel, songwriters (Jaheim)

E. Debarge & Mischke, songwriters (El DeBarge)

Best R&B AlbumWake Up! – John Legend & The Roots Still Standing – Monica

Back to Me – Fantasia

The Love & War Masterpeace – Raheem DeVaughn

Best Contemporary R&B AlbumRaymond vs. Raymond – Usher Untitled – R. Kelly

The ArchAndroid – Janelle Monáe

Best Rap Solo Performance"Not Afraid" – Eminem "Over" – Drake

Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group"On to the Next One" – Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz "Shutterbugg" – Big Boi & Cutty

"Fancy" – Drake, T.I. & Swizz Beatz

"My Chick Bad" – Ludacris & Nicki Minaj

"Lose My Mind" – Young Jeezy & Plies

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration"Empire State of Mind" – Jay-Z & Alicia Keys "Nothin' on You" – B.o.B & Bruno Mars

"Deuces" – Chris Brown, Tyga & Kevin McCall

"Love the Way You Lie" – Eminem & Rihanna

"Wake Up Everybody" – John Legend, The Roots, Melanie Fiona & Common

Best Rap Song"Empire State of Mind"Shawn Carter, Angela Hunte, Burt Keyes, Alicia Keys, Jane't "Jnay" Sewell-Ulepic & Alexander Shuckburgh, songwriters (Jay-Z & Alicia Keys) "Love the Way You Lie"

Alex da Kid, Holly Hafferman & Marshall Mathers, songwriters (Eminem & Rihanna)