The stage has been set for music’s biggest night and the competition is stiff. Unfortunately, we had to sit through a schizophrenic telecast of obscure performances (Nick Jonas and the Administration? Really?) and technical gaffs to receive the nominations.
Beyonce leads the pack with 10 nominations while Taylor Swift trails her with 8. The Black Eyed Peas and Kanye West receive 6 nods each, proving that Grammy voters don’t care about bad behavior.
With the Black Eyed Peas hyped performance, it’s no surprise that they are multiple nominees and early frontrunners on Grammy night. Lady Gaga may have been locked out of the Best New Artist category but she is making up for it in five categories. Joining her to no surprise are Beyonce and Taylor Swift. Maxwell made a triumphant return to the music scene after a long hiatus with a couple nominations. One comeback that went unnoticed was Whitney Houston’s, who was shut out of the race.
Here are what the nominations look like in the major categories. You can view the complete list on the Grammy Web site www.grammy.com. The 52nd Grammy Awards will be handed out January 31.
Song of the Year
Beyonce–Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)
Kings of Leon–Use Somebody
Lady Gaga–Poker Face
Maxwell–Pretty Wings
Taylor Swift–You Belong With Me
Pop Duo or Group with Vocals
Black Eyed Peas–I gotta Feeling
Bon Jovi–We Were Born to Follow
The Fray–Never Say Never
Daryl Hall and John Oates–Sara Smile
MGMT–Kids
Best Rock Album
AC/DC–Black Ice
Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood–Live from Madison Square Garden
Green Day–21st Century Breakdown
Dave Matthews Band–Big Whisky and the Groogrux King
U2–No Line on the Horizon
Best Rap Solo Performance
Drake-Best I Ever Had
Eminem-Beautiful
Jay-Z-D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune)
Kid Cudi-Day ‘N’ Night
Mos Def-Casa Bey
Best Country Duo or Group Performance
Brooks and Dunn–Cowgirls Don’t Cry
Zac Brown Band-Chicken Fried
Lady Antebellum–I Run to You
Rascal Flatts–Here Comes Goodbye
Sugarland–It Happens
Record of the Year
Halo-Beyonce
I gotta Feeling–Black Eyed Peas
Use Somebody–King of Leon
Poker Face–Lady Gaga
You Belong With Me–Taylor Swift
Album of the Year
I am Sasha Fierce–Beyonce
The E.N.D.–Black Eyed Peas
The Fame–Lady Gaga
Big Whisky and the Groogrux King–Dave Matthews Band
Fearless–Taylor Swift
Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings