Her version of 'How Do I Live' not only aced out a rival rendition by LeAnn Rimes, but did so immediately after Rimes - last year's Best New Artist - sang her version of the song.

But Trisha Yearwood was hot on her heels, winning two awards. In the country categories, Alison Krauss was the evening's biggest winner, taking home three trophies in all. Kelly's 'I Believe I Can Fly' won for R&B Male Vocal Performance, R&B song and Best Song Written for a Motion Picture. Erykah Badu did exceedingly well in the R&B categories, taking the Female Vocal award and elbowing past both Babyface and Whitney Houston to win for R&B Album.īut she didn't quite dominate the field, as R. It was also a good evening for female musicians, though hardly the Year of the Woman some pundits had predicted.

Still, Smith did at least dedicate the award 'to the memories of Tupac Shakur and Biggie.' But in Best Rap Solo Performance category, where hopes were high for Combs' friend, the late Notorious B.I.G., the award went to the more pop-friendly 'Men In Black' by Will Smith. Sean 'Puff Daddy' Combs won in the Rap Performance by a Duo or Group category for 'I'll Be Missing You,' while his 'No Way Out' was named Best Rap Album, beating out edgier acts like Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliot, Wyclef Jean and the Wu-Tang Clan.

Still, nowhere was the voters' conservatism more evident than in the rap categories. Even the new dance category favored old names, going to the disco-era duo Donna Summers and Giorgio Moroder for 'Carry On.' To the surprise of no one, Elton John's Princess Diana tribute, 'Candle in the Wind 1997,' won the Male Pop Grammy, while Vince Gill won in the Male Country award. But as much as some of the winners seemed to reflect the Recording Academy's attempts to make the Grammys seem more cutting-edge, others reinforced its reputation for playing it safe.

Who sang sunny came home