By Alex Gonzalez

Music’s biggest night just got a whole lot bigger.  The 51st Annual Grammy Awards has just added a slew of artists to the performance lineup, including pop star Rihanna, rock star Kid Rock and rock legends U2.  The news comes about a week and half away from the awards ceremony on February 8.

The Grammys, which take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, will also feature Coldplay, Carrie Underwood, Justin Timberlake, The Jonas Brothers, and Radiohead as well as several others.  Rap star T.I. will be pulling double duty that night, performing with Justin Timberlake as well as a star-studded performance with Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West, and Jay-Z on their smash hit, ‘Swagga Like Us.’

While acts Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and the aforementioned Coldplay, Lil’ Wayne, and Radiohead—all Album of the Year nominees—are slated to perform, one artist conspicuously absent for the time being from this lineup is R&B star Ne-Yo, who has not officially signed up to perform.  Ne-Yo is nominated for six Grammys including Album of the Year for his album ‘Year of the Gentleman.’  It is usually a custom to have the entire Album of the Year nominees perform that night as a showcase to the music industry.  Now this doesn’t mean that he won’t perform, but time is ticking on Ne-Yo.  We’d rather see Ne-Yo there than the buzz-killing “We accept this award on his behalf” speech.

One artist that most likely will not be there is M.I.A.  She is nominated for two Grammys including Record of the Year for her breakthrough hit ‘Paper Planes’ and a songwriting credit for Best Rap Song for  ‘Swagga Like Us.’  She is due almost any day now with her first child.  A newborn baby and a Record of the Year Grammy would be amazing.  Even though she probably won’t attend and the competition is stiff for that award, we wish M.I.A. the best of luck and a healthy delivery of her child.  Either way she’s guaranteed to be a winner!

Let us know what you guys think about M.I.A.’s chances.  Who do you want to see perform?  Do you want to see Ne-Yo there?  Who do you think will give the best performance?  The Grammys are right around the corner and with the addition of these new performers, the Grammys are shaping up to be a magnificent show.