As expected, Kanye West -- with the word "Mama" shaved in the back of his head -- took the stage at the 2008 Grammy Awards and paid tribute to his late mother, Donda West, with a rendition of his hit 'Stronger' and an emotional performance of 'Hey Mama' off 2006's 'Late Registration.'

West's third album 'Graduation' went on to win the Grammy for Best Rap Album, beating out Common's 'Finding Forever,' T.I.'s 'T.I. vs T.I.P.,' Nas' 'Hip Hop Is Dead' and Jay-Z's 'Kingdom Come.'

West, who was nominated for eight Grammy awards, started his celebration early with 'Good Life' grabbing an award for Best Rap Song and 'Stronger' for Best Rap Solo Performance during pre-telecast.

Donda West died on November 10 in Los Angeles, after undergoing an abdominoplasty -- commonly known as a tummy tuck -- and breast reduction. She was 58.

In, possibly, the worst "Stand By Your Man" moment, Kelis donned a jacket with the N-word bedazzled on her back at the 2008 Grammy Awards show. We can assume the singer's bad taste was an attempt to support her husband, rap star Nas, who caught flack in November when he announced that his 10th studio album would be entitled [insert the N-word here].

Nas is no stranger to controversy. The rapper released 'Hip-hop Is Dead' in 2006 and ruffled feathers as he criticized the entire genre. Critics and hip-hop elite alike assumed the rap star was directing his angst toward Southern hip-hop, which has been accused of lowering the standards of rap with its lack of solid lyrical content. The album was slated for a February release, but a single has yet to be dropped.

Alicia Keys' 'No One' was honored with the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song before the show even got under way. The category honors the songwriter, not the performer, so Keys' writing/producing partners Dirty Harry and Kerry Brothers shared the honor with the singer/songwriter.

Kanye West, who was nominated for eight Grammy awards, started his celebration early with 'Good Life' grabbing an award for Best Rap Song and 'Stronger' for Best Rap Solo Performance.

Other early winners include Chaka Khan's 'Funk This' for Best R&B album, Ne-Yo's 'Because of You' for Best Contemporary R&B album, and Lupe Fiasco, featuring Jill Scott, snagged Best Urban/Alternative Performance for 'DayDreamin'.'

While photogs snapped shots on the 2008 Grammy Awards red carpet, R&B sensation Ne-Yo confirmed rumors that he'll be working with Lindsay Lohan on her upcoming project.

Lohan had a turbulent 2007 with a stint in rehab and multiple arrests, including a July 24, 2007 arrests for possession of cocaine and transportation of a narcotic, but the actress/singer is prepping the follow-up to her 2005 sophomore effort 'A Little More Personal (Raw).' There's also been rumors that 50 Cent will make an appearance on Lohan's forthcoming album.

R&B/pop diva Beyonce will share the stage with six-time Grammy winner Tina Turner at the Grammy Awards on Sunday. The 26-year-old has admitted to being a fan of the leggy legend.

"Every now and then when I think of inspiration, I think of the two Tinas in my life -- that's my mother, Tina, and, of course, the amazing Tina Turner," Beyonce said before launching into a rousing performance of Turner's 'Proud Mary' at the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors. "I'll never forget the first time I saw you perform. I'd never in my life saw a woman so powerful, so fearless, so fabulous ... and those legs!"

Beyonce and Turner will join a slew of previously announced performers including Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Fergie, John Legend, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, Feist, Foo Fighters, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.

Three months after the stunning death of his mother, Donda West, producer/rapper Kanye West is planning a tribute performance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday.

The rap superstar has not been officially announced as a performer, but West -- who snagged eight Grammy nods, including Album of the Year for 'Graduation' -- was seen rehearsing 'Stronger' and 'Hey Mama' at the Staples Center on Thursday, according to PEOPLE.

Donda West died on November 10 in Los Angeles, after undergoing an abdominoplasty -- commonly known as a tummy tuck -- and breast reduction. She was 58.

Thursday's Grammy nominations were good to Akon, who, in addition to announcing nominees racked up four nods for himself. "I wasn't surprised by the nomination," he told PopEater. "I was surprised by four nominations. I was like, 'Yo, if I get one I'm good.' To have four is crazy."

As if the impressive number of nominations weren't enough of a thrill. Akon also got the one he most wanted. "Best R&B Album -- that's the one I prayed for," he said. "And I was just happy to be nominated. That just shows how far you've really come. Everything that you've done -- anything that you've accomplished -- has now been manifested with people recognizing your true talent. I always thought I was talented, but no one ever feels the way you feel. Everyone thinks they're the best, so this is huge."

Of his fellow nominees, Akon was particularly excited for Amy Winehouse. "I was surprised to see how big of a night it's going to be for Amy Winehouse," he said. "She's definitely one of them artists where I saw myself in [her]. We got brand-new music, brand-new sound, [and] it's taken a minute for people to understand it."