Madonna, Gorillaz team for Grammy performance
Viewers are in for an animated performance--literally--during this year's Grammy Awards ceremony when pop icon Madonna hits the stage for a number with cartoon act Gorillaz .
According to a press release, Gorillaz "will appear in 3-D animated color for the first time on network television" during the performance, though specific details about how that feat will be accomplished were not provided. The song selection for the collaboration also remains a mystery.
Five-time Grammy-winner Madonna is not vying for any trophies this year, but Gorillaz are in contention for Record of the Year, Best pop Collaboration with Vocals and Best Short Form Music Video (all for "Feel Good Inc.," featuring De La Soul) and Best Urban/Alternative Performance ("Dirty Harry," featuring Bootie Brown).
The Madonna/Gorillaz combo is the latest in a number of high-profile pairings that are lined up for this month's 48th annual Grammy Awards ceremony. As previously reported, other collaborations include U2 with Mary J. Blige , Kanye West with Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey with Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir, and Christina Aguilera with Herbie Hancock.
Individual performances from Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay and Sugarland have also been announced, as have plans for a tribute to R&B legends Sly & the Family Stone that will feature Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Will.I.Am from The Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, John Legend, Joss Stone, Robert Randolph and Devin Lima.
Meanwhile, Michael Buble, Common, Matt Dillon, Queen Latifah and Ludacris have added their names to a list of presenters that already included Tom Hanks, Big & Rich and Terrence Howard.
Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon, according to organizers.
The Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 8 at Los Angeles' Staples Center, and will air live on CBS-TV. In addition to televised coverage, the show will also be supported on radio via the Westwood One radio network, and covered online at Yahoo!'s Grammy Awards website.
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