11:24 p.m. EST

So glad to see LL Cool J close out the night, not as host, but LL, the rapper. "By day, I do a little hosting and acting. At night, I do a little rapping," he said, bringing Chuck D on stage with him to honor the Beastie Boys, who lost Adam Yauch last year. A great way to end the night.

11:16 p.m. EST

Mumford & Sons wins for album of the year. Accepting the award from fellow Brit Adele, Marcus Mumford gets bleeped when he says they didn't win last year because of her. The band thanked the Grammys for having "opened their arms" to British musicians.

Mumford's beautiful wife, actress Carey Mulligan wipes away tears as she watches from the audience.

Chris Brown, Rihanna Get Cozy at Grammys

11:11 p.m. EST

Wow, love the way Frank Ocean makes an entrance. Who else could make a song called "Forrest Gump" sound like a meditation? That was a performance that left me wanting more.

10:49 p.m. EST

The Grammys returns from commercial break with Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke giving a tribute to the late Dave Brubeck.

JT is back too, announcing the new music educator award, followed by a tribute to all the people lost in music last year.

Just before launching into a Levon Helm tribute, Elton John mentioned the children of Newtown, CT, whose voices, he said, were silenced forever.

The mashup of "Take A Load Off Annie" with John, Mavis Staples, Zac Brown, Mumford & Sons and the lead singer from Alabama Shakes is sure to be one of those Grammy moments. I think Mavis Staples just got the spirit.

10:40 p.m. EST

Prince only has to walk (with a cane) on the stage to get a standing ovation. He's announcing the award for record of the year. "I love this song," he says before revealing the winner, "Somebody That I Used to Know," by Belgian-Australian singer Gotye featuring New Zealand singer Kimbra.

"The man standing behind us with a cane is a big reason I was inspired to make music," Gotye said, referring to Prince.

PHOTOS: Best and Worst Dressed Grammys

10:34 p.m. EST

Hunter Hayes plays a little bit of his hit "Wanted" as an introduction for Carrie Underwood, who's already won six Grammys. Underwood is another former "Idol" who has far surpassed the title.

Not sure I'm digging the light show playing out on her ballgown, though.

10:26 p.m. EST

I think Katy Perry is showing a little more "breast" than CBS would like as she announces the nominees for best new artist. All in all, the fashion tonight is pretty tame.

Jennifer Lopez, Other Stars Flaunt the Memo

Perry did point out that she was never nominated in that category, though she now has her own "eyelash line." "Take that Bon Iver," she added.

Fun is the surprise winner over Frank Ocean for best new artist. Guitarist Jack Antonoff gets a kiss from girlfriend Lena Dunham, creator of "Girls."

10:18 p.m. EST

Watching Taylor Swift sing along to The Lumineers' catchy tune "Ho Hey," you can't help but think she probably wishes she had written that song.

From The Lumineers to Jack White, who rocked it out and got the people on their feet. Did White just drop the F-bomb while singing "Love Interruption" with Ruby Amanfu?

10:05 p.m. EST

The Bob Marley tribute we've all been waiting for starting with Bruno Mars singing a reggae inflected "Locked Out of Heaven."

Sting effortlessly joins in before segueing to "Walking on the Moon." Wow, these two were meant to perform together. I think the whole audience is dancing.

Rihanna and Ziggy Marley take it to the islands now. Did she have a wee wardrobe malfunction? When it sounds this good, do we care?

9:56 p.m. EST

Sometimes I forget Kelly Clarkson was the original "American Idol." She's showing serious chops singing "A Natural Woman." She got the people on their feet, including Adele.

Backstage, Clarkson got a chance to meet Miguel and posted a picture on Twitter.

9:49 p.m. EST

Black Keys jamming with New Orleans jazz musicians and demonstrating why they are up for album of the year. Love it!

9:36 p.m. EST

Rihanna is getting a standing ovation for her stirring performance of "Stay" as the camera pans to her date tonight, Chris Brown.

She loses the award for best rap/sung collaboration, though, to Jay-Z, Kanye and Frank Ocean.

9:30 p.m. EST

You gotta love Kelly Clarkson for keeping it real while accepting an award for "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)." She got stuck on Miranda Lambert's dress before running up on stage, told Miguel she had no idea who he was but would love to sing with him and that her future husband was looking sexy tonight.

9:22 p.m. EST

Is that Alicia Keys on drums? The woman can do anything. It's so nice to hear her and Adam Levine together again. A perfect mashup that Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich knew would sound great because Maroon 5's new song and Key's latest sound so much alike. The audience agrees.

9:21 p.m. EST

Black Keys snagged the award for best rock performance for "Lonely Boy."

9:13 p.m. EST

Frank Ocean claims his first award of the night for best urban contemporary album. Was Ocean referring to the CBS dress code when he said he wasn't going to imagine the audience naked or was he just trying to cool his nerves?

Did anyone else notice that everyone was standing for Ocean's win, except Chris Brown?

9:04 p.m. EST

The moment everyone has been waiting for: Justin Timberlake takes the stage in suit and tie - and black and white? It took no less than Beyonce and Ellen DeGeneres to introduce him. He's still got the moves.

Jay-Z joins him on stage. Nice!

As speculated, Timberlake debuts a new song - and he's in color now. He's still got the pipes. JT's new song has a little Maxwell goes to church vibe. Looks like the church says, "Amen."

Justin Timberlake and Other Expected Grammy Highlights

8:54 p.m. EST

Mumford & Sons are having their Grammy moment after being introduced by Johnny Depp, who appeared to be wearing too much bronzer and taking fashion tips from Steven Tyler.

8:51 p.m. EST

Wow, did Fun and Janelle Monae just win song of the year for "We Are Young?" The lead singer joked that unlike the song title, they are not young. "We have been doing this for 12 years," he said.

8:35 p.m. EST

Probably the most talked about moment of the Grammys is happening off stage: Chris Brown and Rihanna getting cozy in the audience.

Chris Brown Crashes Car While Evading Paparazzi

Brown crashed his porsche into a wall while evading photographers on the eve of the Grammys. Last Wednesday, he appeared in court to face accusations that he violated his probation by submitting false community service records in connection with his sentence for assaulting Rihanna in 2009.

Rihanna showed up in court with him.

8:33 p.m. EST

More power to Miranda Lambert for showing off her curves during her great tribute to country music with Dierks Bentley.

But Lambert's husband Blake Shelton does not take home the award for best solo country performance; that goes to Carrie Underwood for "Blown Away."

8:18 p.m. EST

Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull give out the first award. "So as you can see I read the memo," Lopez says, showing only a little leg and her left arm. With a split of her famous Versace dress on the screen, Pitbull tells her, "You inspired the memo."

In a flashback to last year's Grammys, Adele wins the first award of the night for best solo performance. "I just came to be a part of tonight," she said wearing a red floral dress, "because I had so much fun last year - obviously."

8:10 p.m. EST

Ed Sheeran gets an assist from none other than Elton John for his hit "The A Team." Love the stripped down production: Ed on his guitar, Elton on the piano.

8:05 p.m. EST

Appropriately, host LL Cool J says, "Welcome to the greatest music show on Earth." LL calls out some of the night's biggest stars and their hometowns: Justin Timberlake from Tennessee, Adele from England, Rihanna from Barbados.

8:01 p.m. EST

Taylor Swift seems to be channeling "Alice in Wonderland" or a grand carnival with her over-the-top performance of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" to open the 2013 Grammys.

That poor fella who inspired this song. Swift just sang, "I'm sorry I'm busy opening the Grammys." Did she just speak with an English accent, Harry Styles?

7:47 p.m. EST

While Drake's talking fashion - he's wearing Yves St. Laurent - some of the biggest names in music whizzed by. Among them Katy Perry in green. Earlier Rihanna, John Mayer and Justin Timberlake made a quick stop on the carpet for photos before heading into the show.

7:28 p.m. EST

Kelly Rowland is definitely pushing the envelope with her black striped dress which is revealing quite a big of flesh.

"I had two other choices. You just sort of cross your fingers and hope you don't break any rules," said Rowland, fresh off her Destiny's Child reunion appearance at the Super Bowl.

PHOTOS: Grammys 2013 Red Carpet

7:16 p.m. EST

Jennifer Lopez has arrived and she looks almost conservative in a long black dress by Anthony Vaccarello that's cut high up her right thigh and sleeveless on her left arm.

J Lo dismissed any thought that carpet watchers were waiting to see what she is wearing. "Me?" she said, adding that it was the "crazy younguns" who would be bumping up against CBS's clothing advisory.

CBS Issues Clothing Advisory for the Grammys

One thing for sure, Lopez's nails were already trending on Twitter. "It's a lot of fun for us," she said about dressing for the Grammys. "It's like playing Barbie."

6:59 p.m. EST

Carrie Underwoord looks gorgeous in a classy strapless Roberto Cavalli black lace gown. Although she's a veteran of the red carpet, the former American Idol said, "It's still a lot of pressure. This is a big deal."

6:54 p.m. EST

The man of the night, Frank Ocean, has arrived. And he's wearing Dior. Ocean said he picked out his outfit the night before. "It's like the night before the first day of school," he said. "You put it on the mattress and dance around with it."

Ocean also revealed that he's already 12 or 13 songs deep into his next album. He promised a different direction from his al "It's a different direction from his first album. "If it isn't a risk, you shouldn't be taking it," Ocean said.

6:38 p.m. EST

Rick Ross, aka Ricky Rozay, is talking about being glad to be on the red carpet after being the target of a drive by shooting a couple weeks ago in Miami. "No suspects, not hear to speculate," Ross said, when asked about the shooting. "I'm just staying positive and moving forward. That's my focus. I'm here."

"I'm going to live my life and make music," Ross added.

6:33 p.m. EST

Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa are talking baby. He's in white tux and bow tie. She's in black Donna Karan and looks like she might give birth before the night is over. She promises baby is due in three weeks.

6:25 p.m. EST

The Grammys red carpet is open and everyone will be watching to see if the stars are adhering to CBS's " skin advisory" warning against flashing too much skin.

Ed Sheeran is very well covered, wearing a suit and tie and trainers - that's British for sneakers. But he did confess to wearing new orange underwear that he may flash later.

"This is my very first American award show ever. It's very intense," Sheeran told MTV on the carpet. "I thought American's were meant to be chilled and relaxed but everyone is on edge. I'm getting yelled out quite a bit."

Looking forward to seeing Sheeran perform with Elton John later during the show. His "The A Team" is up for song of the year.

There's also a heavier-than-usual police presence at the Grammy Awards this year because of the manhunt for a former Los Angeles police officer believed to have killed three people in a region-wide rampage this week.

Police Cmdr. Andy Smith told ABC News that the always heavily guarded Grammys will see even more officers at the Staples Center tonight as the hunt for 33-year-old fugitive Christopher Dorner continues.

Scores of officers are outside the Staples Center; others are stationed on a hotel roof across the street. Grammy participants' credentials are being checked constantly.