This year's 46th Annual Grammy Awards will have a very competitive arrangement of talent. Musicians of all genres will be represented, whether it is country, rap, alternative, pop or even classical. It is always difficult to decide who is the best from each category, and this year will be no different, especially for the rap nominees.

Sales and audience reception of Outkast's newest album, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," is at its peak just in time for the Grammy Awards. And oh, are they nominated. For a group that the Independent (London) called one of the most underrated hip-hop acts of the past 10 years, Outkast is now set to earn its stripes - six to be exact, including Album of the Year, Best Rap Album and Record of the Year for "Hey Ya!" Double albums are seen as daunting for pop music consumers and customarily appear as compilations.

"Fallen," the second CD by Evanescence, continues in the vein of spiritual Goth, leading with the disc's radio hit single "Bring Me to Life," as well as a host of equally enjoyable songs. The band's unique blend of dark moodiness and spirituality is suffused throughout the songs.

The time has come again for musicians to strut their stuff in all the red carpet's glory. But beyond the expected glitz and glam, The 46th Annual Grammy Awards, which will be held Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at Radio City Hall in New York City, will be an event honoring those who have left their mark on the music industry in the past year.

Beyonce's solo debut, "Dangerously in Love," is dangerously bootylicious. This album exudes a confidence and sexiness never before seen from the Destiny's Child front woman. Lyrics such as "Do you want to get nasty, I dare you to undress me," make it apparent Beyonce has grown up.

The opening heavy bass beats in the solemn first track, "Politik" and the last seconds of the piano solo of the melancholy finale "Amsterdam" merge a compilation well-deserving of its "Best Alternative Album" Grammy in 2003. Each song ear-catching and different from the other, Coldplay's "A Rush of Blood to the Head" weaves a beautiful tapestry that is partly sad and tender, partly blissfully upbeat.