Get Ready for the Grammys at the Library

Music’s biggest night will soon be here! (Feb. 12 at 8 p.m., to be exact). Everything from classical music to electronica will be represented and honored. Check out some of the nominees and hear what they are all about. The Library has a great selection of CDs which include the works of the nominees.

Best New Artist

Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday (Also received nomination for Best Rap Album)

Nicki Minaj began appearing as a guest artist on tracks from Usher, Kanye West, and Mariah Carey. Her kooky wardrobe and ever changing hair color (she owns over 100 wigs) make her instantly recognizable. Her musical style is more conventional. She mixes pop with smartly constructed raps delivered in Minaj’s signature rapid fire assertive delivery. Two of her biggest songs from the album are: “Super Bass” (watch the video here) and "Moment for Life."

Skrillex, Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Skrillex is part of a musical genre known as “dub-step”. Dub step’s origins are in England. The music is strongly electronic with an assertive bass line and is primarily instrumental. Skrillex’s sound is a hard driving electronic sound that has been speeded up. Certain passages even sound like the sound effects in video games. Vocals tend to be sparse and repetitive. Listen to “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites” here.

Other nominees for “Best New Artist” include The Band Perry (a country trio with crossover appeal), Bon Iver (a folk band that has seem its songs featured on various television shows), and J. Cole (a raper who was singed by Jay Z.)

Record of the Year

Not be confused with album of the year,“Record of the Year” is awarded for a single track (song) from an album or a track release as a single. The following are the nominees:

Adele, “Rolling in the Deep” from 21.

Bon Iver, “Holocene” from Bon Iver.

Bruno Mars, “Grenade” from Doo-Wops and Hooligans.

Mumford and Sons, “The Cave” from Sigh No More.

Katy Perry, “Firework” from Teenage Dream.

Album of the Year

This award is given to a complete album.

Adele, 21

Adele, a British singer with a unique and soulful powerhouse of a voice sounds like a singer from another era. The only comparable talent would be the late Amy Winehouse. 21 was written after the singer’s break-up with her boyfriend.  Adele’s reaction to her lost romance yielded some amazing results that can be heard on Tracks like "Turning Tables," "Rumor Has It" and "Someone Like You." Listen to "Rolling in the Deep" here.

Lady Gaga, Born this Way

Lady Gaga’s newest album represents a broadening of her dance/pop/electronic style. The songs are bigger and more anthemic like “Born this Way” and “The Edge of Glory." The oddly dressed pop star is an accomplished musician. Listen to "Born this Way" here.

Rihanna, Loud

Rihanna’s fifth album moves away from the harder and gritter sounds of "Rated R." The album, while not a return to her earlier sound utilizes a more pop, up-tempo sensibility. Listen to “Only Girl in the World” here.

Other nominees include: Bruno Mars for Doo-Wops & Hooligans and Foo Fighters for Wasting Light.

Check out all these albums from the .

Look for Part 2 on the Grammys this weekend which will be focusing on some of the more specialized awards and their nominees.