VOA News

The music world is preparing for its biggest night of the year as the 55th annual Grammy Awards are set to take place in Los Angeles.

Veteran musicians will grace the stage with some of music's rising stars for a series of performances in what is billed as the industry's largest awards show.

Topping the lists are R&B (rhythm and blues) singer Frank Ocean, British folk band Mumford & Sons, and the indie-pop group Fun, each of whom are nominated for six awards.

Fun, featuring singer Janelle Monae, scored one of the biggest hits of 2012 with "We Are Young," one of six songs nominated for Record of the Year. That category includes The Black Keys for "Lonely Boy," Kelly Clarkson for "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," Gotye featuring Kimbra with "Somebody That I Used To Know," Frank Ocean for "Thinkin Bout You," and Taylor Swift for "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

For Album of the Year, the nominees are Frank Ocean, Fun, Mumford & Sons, The Black Keys and Jack White.

The three-hour live show also will pay tribute to some of music's recently deceased stars, including Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar, who is set to receive a posthumous lifetime achievement Grammy. Among others being honored are Levon Helm, the late drummer and singer with The Band, and singer-songwriter Carole King, who has been performing for more than 60 years.

VOA News. "Grammy Awards Highlight Music's Biggest Acts"

2013 Grammy Awards Highlight Music's Biggest Acts