Eminem Preps for Grammys with the Brits

By Stephen M. Silverman

Friday February 21, 2003 11:00 AM EST

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The Grammy Awards are coming Sunday night, but Eminem got a jumpstart on the trophy-gathering Thursday in London, where he scored two Brit Awards -- the British music industry's top prize.

There were two other double winners, as well: garage star Ms. Dynamite and the British rock band Coldplay, featuring frontman Chris Martin -- also known these days as the on-again, off-again (and, according to a picture in the latest PEOPLE, back on-again) squeeze of Gwyneth Paltrow.

Eminem, 30, took the international album prize for his top-selling CD "The Eminem Show" and the award for best international male solo artist. The rapper is up for five awards at Sunday's 45th annual Grammys, including album of the year and record of the year for "Without Me."

Also on Thursday night, Ms. Dynamite won as best British female solo artist and British urban act, while Coldplay was handed honors for best group and British album of the year ("A Rush of Blood to the Head"). The band won in those same two categories last year.

Besides Eminem, the other American winners included Pink (international female solo artist prize); the Red Hot Chili Peppers (best international group); and Norah Jones (international breakthrough artist), who herself is up for five Grammys Sunday night.

Among the winners who attended the Brit Awards ceremony (which was broadcast on UK TV) was Martin, who attempted a joke when he picked up Coldplay's award from action star Jackie Chan.

"We'd like to challenge anybody here to a fight -- except Jackie Chan," Martin said.

As for Sunday night's Grammys, Eminem and Jones will join the Dixie Chicks, rapper Nelly and Bruce Springsteen in the race for album of the year. Other major contenders include newcomers Avril Lavigne and Ashanti. (Check out a list of the nominees.)

Meanwhile, there are stories circulating that Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel may perform a rare duet during the ceremony -- which would mark their first collaboration before an audience in 10 years, a spokesman for the both of them told Reuters.

Yet the rep would neither confirm nor deny the possibility of a Grammy performance.

Those who are confirmed to perform Sunday, however, include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, No Doubt, James Taylor, Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne and Eminem.

PEOPLE.com will be reporting live during the show (8 p.m., CBS) at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Check out PEOPLE.com's complete 2003 Grammy coverage.