Lil Wayne Grabs 8 Grammy Nominations

Telecast short on awards, long on performances

(NEWSER) - Alison Krauss and Robert Plant boasted the highest number of Grammys last night, grabbing five awards, including honors for Album of the Year for Raising Sand, E! reports. Other big winners included Lil Wayne, who scooped up four Grammys, and Coldplay, which snagged three awards, including one for Best Rock Album, after band member Will Champion apologized to Paul McCartney for ripping off the Sgt. Pepper look on the group's last album. More»

Rapper could serve a year over 2007 incident

(AP) - Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to attempted weapons possession today and expects to receive a one-year jail sentence. He previously had pleaded not guilty to illegal gun possession charges that carried at least 3 1/2 years in prison upon conviction. Police said a gun was found on his tour bus in Manhattan in 2007. His trial had been due to start Jan. 20. Lil Wayne remains free on bail while awaiting his February sentencing. He did not speak as he left court. More»

Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne among those referencing sour economy

(NEWSER) - The ugly economy is making more than a cameo in today’s hottest rap music, with Young Jeezy taking the cake by naming his latest album The Recession. Rap’s often been a barometer of such huge swings, Sara Libby writes, noting the impact last year of Barack Obama’s rise. Now, Jeezy, Jay-Z and others have their mind on their money, and their money on their mind. More»

Infernal visions, playful funk, unflinching examinations top Rolling Stone list

(NEWSER) - Dear Science tops Rolling Stone's year-end best list with an album “that sounded the most like America in 2008." The top 10:

1. TV on the Radio, Dear Science: "Infernal visions of war and economic desperation," but "amid the fear and loathing" is "defiance."
2. Bob Dylan, Tell Tale Signs—The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: "One of Dylan's most consistently gripping albums."

Beyoncé heads Rolling Stone list of the year's best tunes

(NEWSER) - When it comes to belting out the single of the year, Beyoncé ran (wedding) rings around the competition, says Rolling Stone, which lists its top 10:

1. Beyoncé, Single Ladies: "Irresistible and exuberant."
2. Santogold, LES Artistes: "New Wave guitar hook of the year."
3. MGMT, Time to Pretend: "A magnificent piece of snark about acting like rock stars."