New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne and British rockers Coldplay Wednesday notched eight and seven nominations respectively for the 51st Grammy awards at a first-ever concert special aired live.
The nominations were announced at a much-hyped concert with performances by past winners Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift and B.B. King.
The hip-hop-heavy nominations saw rappers Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West garner six nods apiece in various categories, while singer-guitarist John Mayer, duo Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, Radiohead and R&B artist Jazmine Sullivan each obtained five nominations.
Singer-songwriter Adele, bands Danger Mouse and the Eagles, country star George Strait and rappers Lupe Fiasco and T.I. earned four nominations apiece.
In the key category of album of the year, Coldplay's "Viva la vida" will square off against "Tha Carter III: The Rebirth" by Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo's "Year of the Gentleman," "Raising Sand" by Plant and Krauss, and Radiohead's "In Rainbows."
Fighting it out for best new artist on the Recording Academy's 51st Grammy awards show airing February 8 will be The Jonas Brothers, Brits Adele and Duffy, Sullivan and Lady Antebellum.
"The Grammy Awards process once again has yielded a comprehensive, diverse and eclectic group of excellent nominees across multiple genres," said Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy.
Source: AFP Global Edition
