The 45th Annual Grammys returned to the Big Apple Sunday night, highlighting the best and worst of contemporary mainstream music.

Singer/songwriters were the superstars of the evening, with India.Arie finally picking up two (non-televised) Grammys after missing out on seven awards last year. The ethereal soul singer shaved her trademark dreadlocks for the occasion and spoke of her accomplishment simply.

“It’s so funny, I have [a Grammy] and now it doesn’t mean so much,” she said.

Wins by other intelligent and inspiring young artists, including a five-Grammy sweep by Norah Jones and a win for best male pop vocal performance by John Mayer, may be predictors of a brighter future for pop music.

Mayer bumbled adorably through his acceptance speech, saying, “I pride myself on always being bigger than the moment … I’m just a 16-year-old kid in this moment, and this moment is kicking my ass.”

The night’s most disappointing moment came in Eminem’s performance of his hit “Lose Yourself.”

The hugely popular rapper was backed by the legendary Roots band, but still managed to deliver a lackluster and uninspiring performance.

In an era where hip-hop is the new pop, the Grammys represented all that is wrong with the state of the genre’s representation in mainstream music. Notably missing was a Grammy tribute to Jam Master Jay, who undoubtedly contributed more to hip-hop music through his life and tragic death than Nelly or Eminem ever will.