Chicago gets big wins at Grammys

It may not have the same impact on his presidential bid than the three primary states he won this weekend, but Barack Obama now can say he is a two-time Grammy winner, having won a trophy Sunday for best spoken word for "The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream" (Random House Audio).

(Political junkies, take note: Obama beat Clinton -- Bill, that is -- who was up for his book on giving.)

Obama, who in the past won a Grammy for his first memoir, tops an impressive list of musicians and singers who represented Chicago at the 50th edition of the Grammys in a wide span of categories, from classical music to rock to rap.

Native Chicagoan and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock -- he was a prodigy who played Mozart with the CSO at age 11 -- won album of the year, the night's leading category, and best contemporary jazz album for his interpretations of classic Joni Mitchell songs.

Chicago's leading rappers -- Kanye West, Common and Lupe Fiasco -- all dominated their respective categories. West won four awards including best rap album and best rap song. He also shared an award with fellow South Side native Common for best rap performance by a duo or group for "Southside," a collaborative track on the latter's last album.

West protege Fiasco won an award for best urban/alternative performance for "Daydreamin'," a duet with R&B singer Jill Scott.

Contemporary classical group Eighth Blackbird, who are in residency at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, won two awards for "Strange Imaginary Animals" (Cedille): best chamber music performance and classical producer of the year.

Chicago blues elders shared an award for best traditional blues album. Henry James Townsend, Pinetop Perkins, Robert Lockwood Jr. and David "Honeyboy" Edwards -- going strong at age 92 -- split the award for a live album recorded in Dallas.