LimeWire Music Blog

Taylor Swift. Michael Jackson. Beyonce. Eminem. Lady Gaga. No, this isn’t a list of all the people Kanye West has interrupted this year; that document would be far longer. They’re actually five of the most celebrated nominees for this year’s American Music Awards, each garnering at least three nominations apiece. Swift, Jackson, Gaga, Eminem, and Kings of Leon will battle it out for the coveted Artist of the Year award.

But hey, Jacko didn’t actually release an album this year. What gives? It appears the AMA nominees are determined by record sales and radio airplay, and choices aren’t restricted to artists who have put out new material. So MJ’s post-death sales spike and radio ubiquity seem to have landed him a spot on the list.

Another question: With piles of inane music-awards shows to watch, what sets the AMAs apart? Well, although they used to be determined by industry types, they’re now entirely decided by the public. Interested parties can go to amavote.com to cast their ballot. Results will be revealed November 22 at a ceremony at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater, to be televised on ABC. The initial performer line-up includes Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas, and Adam Lambert.

A full list of nominees is under the cut.

POP or ROCK MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Michael Jackson
T.I.

Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon
Nickelback

Favorite Album
Lady Gaga / Fame
Michael Jackson / Number Ones
Taylor Swift / Fearless

COUNTRY MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker
Keith Urban

Favorite Female Artist
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band

Favorite Album
Rascal Flatts/ Unstoppable
Taylor Swift / Fearless
Zac Brown Band / Foundation

RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Eminem
Jay-Z
T. I.

Favorite Album
Eminem / Relapse
Jay-Z / Blueprint 3
T.I. / Paper Trail

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC

Favorite Male Artist
Jamie Foxx
Michael Jackson
Maxwell

Favorite Female Artist
Beyonce
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Black Eyed Peas
Day26
Mary Mary

Favorite Album
Beyonce / I Am. . .Sasha Fierce
Black Eyed Peas / The E.N.D.
Michael Jackson / Number Ones

SOUNDTRACKS

Favorite Album
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Hannah Montana 3
Twilight Soundtrack

ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC

Favorite Artist
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Shinedown

ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Favorite Artist
Daughtry
Jason Mraz
Taylor Swift

LATIN MUSIC

Favorite Artist
Aventura
Luis Fonsi
Wisin Y Yandel

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

Favorite Artist
Jeremy Camp
Brandon Heath
Mary Mary

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Alternative – KINGS OF LEON
Country – TAYLOR SWIFT
Pop/Rock – LADY GAGA
Rap/Hip-Hop – EMINEM
Soul/R&B – MICHAEL JACKSON

T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTISTNOMINATIONS

X Pop/Rock Breakthrough Artist – Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga
X Country Breakthrough Artist – Gloriana, Zac Brown Band
X Soul/R&B Breakthrough Artist – Keri Hilson, Jermiah
X Rap/Hip-Hop Breakthrough Artist – Drake, Kid Cudi