Robin Thicke, T.I., Miguel, Lorde, & Macklemore Perform at Grammy Nominations Concert

The race for Grammy gold kicked off on Friday night at “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night” at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. Nominations in major categories were announced live on air during the one-hour CBS special, which featured performances from multiple nominees including Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Robin Thicke.

Seven-time nominees Macklemore & Ryan Lewis opened the show with “Thrift Shop,” which was nominated for Best Rap Song.

“Hopefully what we have been able to do this past year, it’s a model for other people to follow, that you do not need a record label, that you do not need a big company behind you,” said Macklemore, whose album The Heist was released independently.

Lorde delivered her Record of the Year-nominated hit “Royals,” and two-time nominee Miguel teamed with Keith Urban on a cover of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine.”

With some help from T.I. and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Verdine White, Thicke had the crowd in its feet with his Grammy-nominated hit “Blurred Lines.” His wife Paula Patton and father Alan Thicke congratulated him backstage on his three nominations.

Kelly Rowland, who was nominated for Best R&B Song for Fantasia’s “Without You,” presented Best Country Album and caught up with Lorde and LL Cool J.

Check out some backstage pics and watch the performances below.