Winehouse Grabs Best New Artist Grammy

LOS ANGELES — Amy Winehouse may have been physically absent from the Grammy awards yesterday, but her presence was strong as the famously troubled singer won four awards, including song of the year for her autobiographical hit "Rehab."

Kanye West, who had a leading eight nominations, also won four awards: best rap album for "Graduation," best solo performance for "Stronger," best rap song for "Good Life," and best rap performance by a duo or group for his collaboration with Common on "Southside."

Mr. West delivered an electric, glow-in-the-dark rendition of "Stronger," then segued into a stirring tribute to his mother, Donda West, who died unexpectedly last year at age 58.

"Last night I saw you in my dreams, and now I can't wait to go to sleep," Mr. West sang, dressed in all black and with MAMA etched into his haircut, as he launched into "Hey Mama," a celebratory tune from his second album that has now turned into a somber ode.

The Grammys, celebrating its 50th year, emphasized its history with its very first performance. Alicia Keys, glammed-up with a '50s style, sat at the piano and sang "Learnin' the Blues" along with a black-and-white video performance from the late legend Frank Sinatra.

"Frank Sinatra looked good for 150, didn't he," Prince joked moments later before introducing Alicia Keys as the winner for best female R&B vocal for her smash "No One."

The 24-year-old singer-somgwriter's personal life has fallen apart over the past year as her career blossomed. As the ceremony approached, suspense built over whether she would appear. She was rejected Thursday for a U.S. work visa, and Grammy producers arranged for her to perform via telecast.

Soon afterward, the U.S. government reversed itself and approved Winehouse, but it was too late for her to make the cross-continental trek.

The retro-soul singer's top-selling American debut was also up for song and record of the year for "Rehab."

Besides West and Winehouse, the other album of the year contenders were the Foo Fighters' "Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace," Vince Gill's "These Days," and Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters."