December 2, 2010 (AFP) – Eminem earned 10 nominations Wednesday for the annual Grammy music awards, capping a comeback year for the once-troubled rap star, while Lady Gaga and Jay-Z also scored big.
Eminem got a Best Album nod for his album “Recovery,” as well Best Song nomination with Rihanna for “Love the Way You Lie,” at the 53rd Grammys show, set to take place in Los Angeles on February 13.
Hawaiian-born singer Bruno Mars, who performed twice during an hour-long concert to announce the Grammy prize shortlists, came second to Eminem with seven nominations including Best Male Pop Vocal.
US rap megastar Jay-Z, Nashville-born country trio Lady Antebellum and Lady Gaga each earned six nods at the show.
Katy Perry, who opened the show with her catchy “California Gurls,” is also in the running for Best Album along with Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire and Lady Antebellum.
Best New Artist nominees were Canadian teen idol Justin Bieber, quirky British singer Florence Welch’s Florence and the Machine, country-tinged Brits Mumford and Son, as well as Drake and Esperanza Spalding.
Eminem — real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III — dropped out of music-making in the middle of the past decade as he battled with drug problems.
He returned with the album “Relapse” in 2009, before “Recovery” this year.
As well best album and record nods, he is also tipped for best song, best pop collaboration with vocals, best rap solo, best rap song (twice), best rap/sung collaboration, best rap album and best short form video.
While all the attention focuses on pop, rap and rock music for the young, Grammy organizers also select nomination lists for more than 100 categories, including classical, jazz, folk, heavy metal and others.
Some of the less-noticed nominees who could be called to the stage in February include Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis in the best traditional pop vocal album, and talent show sensation Susan Boyle for best pop vocal album.
British actress Emma Thompson should pencil February 13 in her diary as she is nominated for best children’s spoken word album for “Nanny McPhee Returns,” while Woody Allen is in the running for best spoken word album.
Comic Robin Williams is among the five nominated for best comedy album, along with “Daily Show” host and Tea Party scourge Jon Stewart.
Here are the nominations in the main categories:
– Record of the Year: “Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B with Bruno Mars; “Love the Way you Lie” by Eminem featuring Rihanna; “Fxxx you” by Cee Lo Green; “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys; and “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum.
– Best Album: “The Fame Monster” by Lady Gaga; “Recovery” by Eminem; “The Suburbs” by Arcade Fire; “Need You Now” by Lady Antebellum; and “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry.
– Best Rock Album: “Emotion & Commotion” by Jeff Beck; “The Resistance” by Muse; “Backspacer” by Pearl Jam; “Mojo” by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, and “Le Noise” by aging folk rocker Neil Young.
– Best Female Pop Vocal: “King of Anything” by Sara Bareilles; “Halo” by Beyonce; “Chasing Pirates” by Norah Jones; “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga; and “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry.
– Best Male Pop Vocal: “Haven’t Met you Yet” by Michael Buble; “This is It” by Michael Jackson; “Whataya Want from Me?” by Adam Lambert; “Just the way You Are” by Bruno Mars, and “Half of My Heart” by John Mayer.
A full list of nominees can be found at http://www.grammy.com.