Unlike years in the past where Hip Hop has dominated the awards, it was the Dixie Chicks who cleaned up this year. The country group took home 5 awards including the two biggest for Album of the Year and Record of the Year.
On the Hip Hop front it was Atlanta natives and former enemies Ludacris and T.I. who were the big winners. Luda landed the hardware for his critically acclaimed LP Release Therapy as well as Best Rap Song for the single Money Maker with Pharrell.
T.I. won for Best Rap Solo for What You Know and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for his guest spot on Justin Timberlake‘s My Love. Continuing the southern domination was Chamillionaire who won Best Rap Performance by Duo/Group for Ridin’ Dirty with Krayzie Bone.
Gnarls Barkley won for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for Crazy as well as Best Alternative Album for St. Elsewhere. John Legend won Best R&B Vocal Performance for Heaven. Rick Rubin, it should be noted, won Producer of the Year (non-classical).
