Eminem hoping to avoid another Grammys shocker

* Eminem leads Grammy field with 10 nominations * Rapper seeking first album of year statuette * Bieber vs. Drake nail-biter for young girls LOS ANGELES, Feb 13 (Reuters) – A decade after Eminem found himself on the losing side of one of the biggest upsets in Grammy history, the rapper will again vie for the top prize at the music industry awards show on Sunday. As was the case then he is the favorite to take the trophy for album of the year, this time for a set detailing his near-fatal addiction to prescription medications. The 12,000 music industry insiders who vote for the Grammys love to honor artists facing adversity, such as Amy Winehouse who picked up five Grammys in 2008 while battling drugs. But she was pipped for best album by an obscure release from jazz icon Herbie Hancock, echoing Eminem’s shock loss to an equally under-the-radar set by rock duo Steely Dan. (He also lost two years later to favored newcomer Norah Jones.) If he does lose again, at least it won’t be a grizzled veteran. At 38, Eminem is the old-timer in a field that also includes country group Lady Antebellum, pop singers Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, and Canadian rock band Arcade Fire — all of whom are in the hunt with chart-topping releases. SURVIVAL STORY Eminem leads the field with 10 nominations, mostly generated by “Recovery,” the biggest selling album in the United States last year. With his trademark brutal honesty, Eminem detailed his descent into madness, loss of self-esteem, and struggles with writers’ block. “He represents a bravery … all of us, we should hope to be that brave,” urban pop singer Cee Lo told Reuters. “To be a success as a personality you first have to be a success as as person. People get a kick out of seeing you crash and burn, that happens an awful lot too. So his is a survival story because he crashed but didn’t burn.” Eminem and Cee Lo will compete against each other in the key record and song of the year races, with their respective hits “Love the Way You Lie” and “F*** You.” (The record prize goes to the artist, and the song award to the songwriter.) But Cee Lo did not see it as a rivalry. “I see it more as camaraderie than competition because we’re all on the frontline forging freedom of speech, of expression, freedom of individuality,” he said. Probably the most important category, as far as millions of young girls are concerned, is best new artist. Pop idol Justin Bieber and hip-hop star Drake, both Canadians, are front-runners for the prize. “I think Drake probably would have been the favorite and I think that Bieber is coming on,” said R&B producer Jimmy Jam, a veteran Grammys official. “Or they could split the votes and someone else could sneak in.” That could be one of two British bands, Florence & The Machine and Mumford & Sons, or American jazz singer Esperanza Spalding. In all, awards will be handed out in 108 categories, most of them during a fast-paced ceremony that precedes the main event at 5 p.m. PST (0100 GMT Monday). The three-hour telecast will be heavy on performances, beginning with a tribute to ailing R&B icon Aretha Franklin. Most of the major nominees will perform, as well as veterans like Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger. (Reporting by Dean Goodman; Editing by Doina Chiacu) To watch the pre-show or for more info:http://www.grammy.com/]]]]> ]]>

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