The 2012 Grammy Award nominations are out and it looks like the event will be star-studded as ever. Lady Gaga, Adele, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and Kanye West are all up for some hefty honors this year, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

Every year when the Grammy Awards roll around, eager viewers anticipate the incredible performances and root for their favorite artists. But one of the biggest reasons to salivate over such award shows is the red carpet.

The red carpet is without a doubt the best part of the Grammy Awards. It is not like the Oscars where everyone is dressed in black tie ensembles and speaks in whispers. Plus, the Grammy Awards are focused on musicians - who are oftentimes known for their wild sides.

Grammy attire seems to have no boundaries. And, sometimes, the more outrageous, the better.

Take Jennifer Lopez for example. In 2000, she was just entering the music scene as a popular artist with her album On the 6. She was dating P.Diddy and had some box office hits under her belt.

But when she arrived at the 200 Grammy Awards dressed in that sheer, plunging Versace jungle dress, the whole world took notice.

Every headline the following morning had the name Jennifer Lopez plastered somewhere in it. Images of Lopez in that very dress were downloaded from the Grammy website 642,917 times in a mere 24 hours following the event.

Lopez herself was surprised by all the hoopla. It was a nice dress. I had no idea it was going to become such a big deal, she said.

There have been many other artists who were not afraid to get a little crazy and show a little skin. Lady Gaga, Toni Braxton, Christina Aguilera and Rihanna have all sported some jaw-dropping Grammy outfits.

Why not? If you've got it, flaunt it.

In anticipation of the 2012 Grammy Awards, let us take a look back on some of the most outrageous Grammy red carpet outfits ever.

Which do you think was the most shocking? Leave your feedback in the comments section below.

Coldplay
The band Coldplay arrives at the 2009 Grammy Awards dressed in some rainbow-tastic ensembles. Chris Martin sticks out his tongue for the cameras. Reuters
Bridgewater
Jazz singer Bridgewater arrives at the 2008 Grammy Awards in this linear explosion. The elaborate sleeves and bold pattern make this dress err on the outrageous side. Reuters
Zuleyka Rivera
Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera sported this spotted and yellow-pleather ensemble to the 2007 Grammy Awards. Although this my not necessarily be "outrageous" (though it is quite plunging), it is certainly zany. Reuters
Madonna
Madonna performed at the 2006 Grammy Awards dressed in nothing but a bright purple leotard. She was 48-years-old at the time. Reuters
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera poses on the 2002 Grammy Awards post-show red carpet wearing what looks like a Vegas cocktail waitress' outfit. Reuters
Rihanna
Rihanna said that she loved this dress because it showed off her best assets. Most critics thought that she just wrapped herself in white garland. Either way, the R&B singer turned heads at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Reuters
Katy Perry
This pop diva is known for her outrageous fashion choices (and love of cosplay). Here is Katy Perry at the 2010 Grammy Awards dressed as an angel, complete with wings. Reuters
Bai Ling
Bai Ling looks like she is channeling "Christmas tree chic" in this tented dress at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Reuters
Lil Kim
Making quite an entrance, Lil Kim arrived at the 2002 Grammy Awards in this red leather get-up. The motorcycle helmet and glasses really add a nice touch. Reuters
Future Man
Future Man has won five Grammys as part of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. Here the "Drumitar" player wears a pirate get-up only suitable for Halloween (or the set of "Pirates of the Caribbean" to the 2009 Grammy Award ceremony. Reuters
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez wore this barely-there, and quite infamous, green Versace dress to the 2000 Grammy Awards. The Latina singer made every single news headline the next day. Reuters
M.I.A.
A very pregnant M.I.A. showed off her burgeoning bump at the 51st Grammy Award in this sheer, polka dot dress. Reuters
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera wore this to the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards. The dreadlocks are one thing, but that super-revealing dress is entirely another. Reuters
OK GO
Covered in head-to-toe tapestry, the members of the band OK GO! attended the 2007 Grammy Awards and had some fun with their attire. Here they posted as part of the red carpet. Reuters
Britney Spears
Oh, Britney! It might be best to blame this outfit on the fashion of the 90s. After all, Spears wore this to the 2000 Grammy Awards and still had visions of "Hit Me Baby One More Time" schoolgirl wear in her mind. Her thinking was not clear. Reuters
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is never one to fade into the backdrop. Here she is covered in leopard print and sporting a Bride of Frankenstein hairdo to the 2010 Grammy Awards. Reuters
Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton wore this split open ensemble in 2001. She left little to the imagination. Reuters
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has been crowned the highest earning woman in music in 2011 by Forbes Magazine. Reuters
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga wore this ensemble to the post-Grammy show in 2010. In another nod to space travel and extraterrestrial beings, Gaga wore a geometric trapezoid on her hair and some sky-high shoes. Reuters
M.I.A.
M.I.A. sported this outrageous muumuu with bright blue sneakers to the 2009 Grammy Award ceremony. Reuters
Grammy award Oscars Lady Gaga Jennifer lopez