Everything You Need to Know About the 2012 Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are upon us once again, but it's been a busy week here in New York. Between the Giants Super Bowl win last Sunday and the start of Fashion Week, few of us have even had time to give thought to the biggest music event of the year. There's just over 48 hours until the Grammys, but there's still time to get filled in on the most important details of what's sure to be a memorable show!

Where and When:

This Sunday, February 12, 8pm E.S.T. at the Staples Center in LA. Or, for those of us who won’t be able to make the ceremony (or who weren’t invited…) tune into CBS at 8pm. But don't forget to watch the red carpet coverage, which begins at 6pm. Sometimes the best moments happen before the show even begins (Ex. Lady Gaga arriving to the 2011 Grammys in an egg.)

Host:

LL Cool J will be hosting the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, and this will be the first time in seven years that the event has a host. A Grammy winner himself, LL Cool J is no stranger to the stage. In fact, he’s hosted the live Grammy Nominations concert since it started in 2008. [Photo via]

Can't Miss Performances:

Adele is set to take the stage and belt out some of her Grammy-nominated songs in what will be her first performance since undergoing vocal chord surgery last fall.

The Beach Boys will be reuniting for their first appearance in two decades, and in an unlikely collaboration, they’ll be performing with Foster the People and Maroon 5. Let’s hope the guys of Maroon 5 have their Hawaiian shirts ready!

Other paired up performers include Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay and Rihanna, and Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt.

Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Paul McCartney, and Taylor Swift are among this years solo performers, so hopefully loose-cannon Kanye won’t pull a 2009 VMA stunt this year. [Photo via]

Nominees:

Kanye West is nominated for 7 awards including Song of the Year for “All of the Lights,” and he’s even nominated against himself with "Watch the Throne" and "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" both up for Best Rap Album of the Year.

Adele, Foo Fighters, and Bruno Mars are all up for Album of the Year (21, Wasting Light, and Doo-Wops & Hooligans, respectively,) and all three have been nominated for a total of six awards. Adele’s "Rolling in the Deep" is also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

A new category—Best Dance Recording—has been added for the first time this year, and the nominees are:

deadmau5 and Greta Svabo Bech—“Raise your Weapon”

Duck Sauce—“Barbara Streisand”

David Guetta and Avicii—“Sunshine”

Robyn—“Call your Girlfriend”

Skrillex—“Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites”, Swedish House Mafia—“Save the World”

[Photo via]

BFFs and former band-mates Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland are up against each other for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Beyoncé and Andre 3000 are nominated for their hit “Party,” while Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne are nominated for “Motivation.” Other nominees in the category are Rihanna and Drake for “What’s my Name?”; Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey for “I Need a Doctor”; DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne for “I’m on One”; and Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie for “All of the Lights.”

For a complete list of nominees click HERE.

Presenters:

The Grammy’s always have a pretty eclectic lineup of presenters, but with LL Cool J hosting this year, the pressure is more on him than the presenters to make sure the show runs smoothly.

After performing at last year’s award show, Glee’s favorite substitute teacher is taking a backseat this year and limiting her stage-time to just presenting an award.

2011's big winner Lady Antebellum will also be presenting this year, as well as Fergie, Drake, Marc Anthony, and Jack Black.

While Ringo Starr won’t be joining his fellow Beetle Paul McCartney on stage during his performance, he will be at the Grammys to present an award.

Where to Party:

The show isn't until Sunday, but the parties have already started. Click HERE to check out the hottest parties to attend before, during, and after the show.

[Photo via]