Common, LL COOL J, Lupe Fiasco, and Rick Ross to Join Forces with Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, and Scorpio for a Special Performance of "The Message" on "The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®"

Common, LL COOL J, Lupe Fiasco, and Rick Ross to Join Forces with Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, and Scorpio for a Special Performance of "The Message" on "The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®"

Taraji P. Henson and Taylor Lautner Set to Present on CBS Entertainment Special Announcing Nominations for the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® Live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Nov. 30

Immediately Following the Live Broadcast, Log On to www.grammy.com/live or www.livestream.com/thegrammys at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT for Exciting Live Backstage Coverage and Reactions to the 54th GRAMMY Nominations

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-time GRAMMY® winner Common, two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J,GRAMMY winner Lupe Fiasco, and rap star Rick Ross will join hip-hop innovator Grandmaster Flash, GRAMMY-winning hip-hop artist Melle Mel, and rapper Scorpio for a special performance of"The Message" -- the seminal rap recording by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five Featuring Melle Mel and Duke Bootee newly inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame -- on "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®" (www.grammy.com). Actors Taraji P. Henson and Taylor Lautner are the latest presenters added to the one-hour special, which takes place live on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the Nokia TheatreL.A. LIVE. The show, which will also announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees, will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network (www.cbs.com) from 10 - 11 p.m. ET/PT. Other previously announced performers are Jason Aldean, Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Rihanna, Valerie Simpson, Mike Stoller, Sugarland, The Band Perry, and Usher. Previously announced presenters are Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry, and LL COOL J is once again set to host. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

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The concert special marks the fourth time nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards will be announced live on primetime television. In addition to unveiling nominations for the 54th GRAMMY Awards, "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!" will feature a special live announcement from a truly iconic group regarding their historic band reunion set to take place on the GRAMMY stage on Feb. 12, 2012.

This year, for the first time ever, music fans can check out backstage coverage and reactions to the nominations by logging on to www.grammy.com/live or www.livestream.com/thegrammys immediately following the live telecast (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT).

Following the one-hour live telecast, guests will enjoy an exclusive concert by the Band Perry. Tickets for "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" are on sale now at www.nokiatheatrelalive.com and via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at 800.745.3000. For discounts on groups of 10 or more, and for more information on VIP packages, visit www.aegtickets.com or call 877.234.8425. A portion of the proceeds from this very special evening will benefit the GRAMMY Museum®.

The road to Music's Biggest Night begins with "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!!" and culminates with the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards, live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, and broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

"The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer. LL COOL J is producer.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards -- the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music -- The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and aYouTube channel subscriber at www.youtube.com/thegrammys.

SOURCE The Recording Academy

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The Recording Academy

CONTACT: Barb Dehgan, barbd@grammy.com, or Lourdes Lopez, lourdesl@grammy.com, both of The Recording Academy, +1-310-392-3777; or Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i, +1-818-655-1587, tiffany.smith@cbs.com, or Kate Fisher, +1-212-975-3818, khfisher@cbs.com, both of CBS; or Maureen O'Connor, +1-310-854-8116, moconnor@rogersandcowan.com, or Heather Lewandoski, +1-310-854-8147, hlewandoski@rogersandcowan.com, both of Rogers & Cowan

Web Site: http://www.grammy.com

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