Lil Wayne Wins Big At Grammy's

By By Gil Kaufman

Lil Wayne, joined by New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint on boogie-woogie piano and Robin Thicke lending his sugary vocals, paid tribute to his hometown with the somber "Tie My Hands," as images of Hurricane Katrina unspooled on the screens above the stage. The raucous performance ended with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and trumpet player Terence Blanchard playing a horn-blasted musical tribute to the Crescent City's jazz heritage, as Wayne scatted "feet don't fail me now, feet don't fail me now."

Waiting in the wings following his performance, Wayne, his jeans sagging, ran up on the stage to accept the Best Rap Album Grammy and kicked his heels together as he was joined by his daughter, members of his family and crew. "Thank God, thank New Orleans, thank these people you see right here, and thank you!" the clearly excited MC said, collecting his fourth Grammy of the night.