blog post Grammys 2012: Kanye West wins major rap awards

Of the 78 listed 2012 Grammy Awards, the majority were handed out in a non-televised ceremony prior to the big broadcast spectacle on Sunday night, including key rap prizes. Here's a list of winners from categories that featured rap/hip-hop nominees and, as you'll see, superstar Kanye West figured prominently (even if he didn't show up to collect his Grammys in-person):

Song of the year:

“All Of The Lights” by Kanye West
“The Cave” by Mumford & Sons
“Grenade” by Bruno Mars
“Holocene” by Bon Iver
“Rolling In the Deep” by Adele - WINNER

Best new artist:

The Band Perry
Bon Iver - WINNER
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Skrillex

Best rap performance:

“Look At Me Now” by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes
“Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West - WINNER
“The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco
“Moment 4 Life” by Nicki Minaj and Drake
“Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa

Best rap/sung collaboration

“Party” by Beyoncé and André 3000
“I'm On One” DJ Khaled, Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne
“I Need A Doctor” Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey
“What's My Name?” by Rihanna and Drake
“Motivation” by Kelly Rowland and Lil Wayne
“All Of The Lights” by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie - WINNER

Best rap song:

“All of the Lights” by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie - WINNER
“Black and Yellow” by Wiz Khalifa
“I Need A Doctor” Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey 
“Look At Me Now” by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes
“Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
“The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco

Best rap album:

Watch The Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Tha Carter IV by Lil Wayne
Lasers by Lupe Fiasco
Pink Friday by Nicki Minaj
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West - WINNER

Best recording package:

Chickenfoot III by Chickenfoot
Good Luck & True Love by Reckless Kelly
Rivers and Homes by J.Viewz
Scenes from The Suburbs by Arcade Fire - WINNER
Watch the Throne by Jay-Z and Kanye West

Best long form music video:

I Am...World Tour by Beyoncé
Foo Fighters: Back and Forth by Foo Fighters - WINNER
Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon by Kings of Leon
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest by A Tribe Called QuestNine Types Of Light by TV On The Radio