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Beyonce dominated the early honors at the 52nd Grammy Awards Sunday, scooping up five awards as the music industry's equivalent to the Oscars got under way.
The 28-year-old superstar, who had topped the nominations with 10 nods, won the prestigious Song of the Year award for her hit "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)", which also earned her the best female R&B vocal award.
The former Destiny's Child singer also snagged the Grammys for best R&B song for "Single Ladies" and best contemporary R&B album for her chart-topping "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" as well as best traditional R&B vocal performance for "At Last."
However Beyonce, who dazzled the audience with an electrifying performance at the Staples Center, suffered an upset defeat in the Record of the Year category, where Kings of Leon won for "Use Somebody."
Other early winners on Sunday included country star Swift, who picked up the first three Grammys of her stellar career including for the best country album "Fearless."
"I just keep thinking back to when you're in second grade and you sing at your talent show and people say 'Maybe we'll see you at the Grammys one day' and it feels like an impossible dream," the 20-year-old said.
"I just feel like I'm standing here accepting an impossible dream right now."
Swift, who had received eight nominations also won for best female country vocal performance for her single "White Horse" and followed it up with victory in the best country song category for the same track.
Elsewhere Sunday, oddball New York singer Lady Gaga picked up two Grammys with her smash hit single "Poker Face" taking best dance recording of the year and "The Fame" winning best dance album.
The 23-year-old singer, famous for her outlandish outfits, had brought the curtain up on the show in a wacky duet with legendary songwriter Elton John where the couple performed a medley of "Speechless" and "Young Song."
Pop powerhouse the Black Eyed Peas also enjoyed early success, picking up three Grammys for best short form music video, best pop performance by a duo or group and best pop vocal album.
Indian composer A.R. Rahman was also another early winner, scooping two Grammys for his music from the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire."
Rahman won in the best compilation soundtrack for a motion picture category before his "Jai Ho" won in the best motion picture song category moments later.
"This is insane, god is great again," Rahman said as he accepted his second award before a VIP audience.
The Grammy success comes after Rahman earned two Oscars for his music in "Slumdog Millionaire" at last year's Academy Awards.
Sunday's show are the first Grammy Awards since Michael Jackson's death last year and will feature an extended tribute to the late "King of Pop."
The tribute will include a 3-D film clip made before his death as well as performances from Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson and Usher.
