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Who will shine in Grammy spotlight?

U2
U2 is nominated for eight Grammy awards.  


LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Given that Bono and U2 dominated last year's Grammy Awards, you might figure someone else will grab the spotlight for the 44th annual awards show Wednesday.

Not necessarily.

The Irish rockers won song of the year, record of the year and best rock performance by duo or group last year for their hit single "Beautiful Day." But the album it came from, "All That You Can't Leave Behind," wasn't eligible, so the band is back for more. This time around, U2's up for eight awards, including album of the year.

"I think that U2 will be probably looking at three or four Grammys this year, and that's after winning three last year," Spin magazine editor-in-chief Alan Light told CNN. "Not a bad performance."

Still, Light suggests the awards will be spread around a bit more at this year's ceremony, which airs on CBS at 8 p.m. EST from Staples Center in Los Angeles.

"I don't think that anybody's going to win a whole armload full of awards this year," he said. "I don't think there's going to be, you know, Santana up at the podium holding both arms full of trophies."

Keys and Arie

VIDEO
CNN's Michael Okwu reports veteran rockers U2, music legend Bob Dylan and newcomer India.Arie head up the list of Grammy nominees (February 27)

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EXTRA INFORMATION
Gallery: All about the nominees 
 
EXTRA INFORMATION
In-Depth Special: 2002 Grammys 
 
RESOURCES
InStyle.com: Grammy transformations 
TeenPeople.com: Grammy preview 
EW.com: Grammys 2002 
 

One artist expected to be clutching at least a few figurines is R&B sensation Alicia Keys, who's up for six Grammys, including record of the year and song of the year for her chart-topper "Fallin' " -- and best new artist.

She's up against fellow R&B newcomer India.Arie, who topped her with seven nominations, including record of the year, song of the year, best new artist and album of the year for "Acoustic Soul."

"I think when it comes down to actually, who's actually going to win on Wednesday, I think Alicia Keys will win probably three or four awards or so," Light said.

Competing with India.Arie and U2 for album of the year are Bob Dylan's "Love and Theft," "Stankonia" by OutKast and the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack --which some observers suggest could be the sleeper.

"The easy pick is to say U2 is going to win, but I would say keep your eye on the 'O Brother' soundtrack, because I think they've got a shot at that award," Light said.

In the record of the year category, "Fallin' " and India.Arie's "Video" are up against "Ms. Jackson" by OutKast, "Drops of Jupiter" by Train and U2's "Walk On."

Totally live

Arie
Arie is nominated for seven Grammys, including record of the year.  

Viewers, of course, will get to witness some of the Grammy-nominated performances.

Billy Joel's scheduled duet with Tony Bennett on "New York State of Mind" is expected to be a sentimental favorite this year, Also, joining Christina Aguilera. Pink, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliott and Mya for a rendition of "Lady Marmalade" will be Patti LaBelle, who first recorded the song in 1976.

Other performers include Alan Jackson, Keys, Dylan, the Dave Matthews Band, violinist Joshua Bell, OutKast, Train and U2.

Jon Stewart of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" will serve as host of the show. The event features an all-star lineup of presenters that includes Britney Spears, Don Henley, Trisha Yearwood, Bonnie Raitt, the Dixie Chicks, Gloria Estefan, Gwen Stefani and Janet Jackson.



 
 
 
 


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