The American Music Awards announced their nominees today, and in a rare display of statuette-dispensary restraint, neither of 2010′s Dominant Blondes—Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga—lead the pack.
They are, of course, not entirely forgotten; Swift has a nod for Favorite Female Artist in the Country category, and Gaga two, for Favorite Female Artist in Pop or Rock and overall Artist of the Year.
But this year the AMAs, founded 38 years ago by Dick Clark and defined by a by-and-for-the-people populism (awards are determined by public poll), have directed the spotlight primarily on other acts: Lady Antebellum and Eminem each have five noms, followed by Justin Bieber with four, and Katy Perry, Usher, B.o.B. and Ke$ha with three apiece.
The show is set to air live from L.A. on Sunday, November 21st, and has announced Usher, Pink, and Bon Jovi as preliminary performers. Voting, now in its fourth year as a strictly online enterprise, has already begun; you can participate by clicking here—apparently, a privilege limited only to how many online identities you have (email ID is required to register), and how mobilized your fan club is. In other words: clear your mantle, Biebs.
Find a full listing of nominees after the jump:
2010 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINATIONS
POP or ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Justin Bieber
Eminem
Usher
Favorite Female Artist
Ke$ha
Lady Gaga
Katy Perry
Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas
Lady Antebellum
Train
Favorite Album
Justin Bieber/ My World 2.0
Eminem/ Recovery
Katy Perry/ Teenage Dream
COUNTRY MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Brad Paisley
Favorite Female Artist
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album
Jason Aldean/ Wide Open
Lady Antebellum/ Need You Now
Carrie Underwood/ Play On
RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
B.o.B.
Drake
Eminem
Favorite Album
B.o.B./ B.o.B. Presents
Drake/ Thank Me Later
Eminem/ Recovery
SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher
Favorite Female Artist
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Sade
Favorite Album
Alicia Keys/ The Element of Freedom
Sade/ Soldier of Love
Usher/ Raymond v. Raymond
SOUNDTRACKS
Favorite Album
AC/DC / Iron Man 2
Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Muse
Phoenix
Vampire Weekend
ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Michael Buble
Lady Antebellum
Train
LATIN MUSIC
Favorite Artist
Daddy Yankee
Enrique Iglesias
Shakira
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Favorite Artist
Casting Crowns
MercyMe
TobyMac
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber
Eminem
Ke$ha
Lady Gaga
Katy Perry
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Nominations
B.o.B
Justin Bieber
Taio Cruz
Jason Derulo
Ke$ha
Lady Antebellum
Travie McCoy
Mike Posner
(Follow the Music Mix on Twitter: @EWMusicMix)
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nothing for 30 seconds to mars!?
oh well. ill be happy as longs as justin bieber or kesha doesnt win artist of the year
Yep, she writes all her own song, 4 straight top ten hits, 15 millions singles sold, 2 millions albums, nope, she sure doesnt deserve it, not like she has the work to back it up……
I wish Janelle Monae would start getting more recognition from these awards. Her album The ArchAndroid is one of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time.
GO CARRIE! hope she gets female country (esp. since taylor was MIA this year) and fav. country album.
this year in music has been really like mediocre and nothing special….BeST SONG HEY SOUL SISTER by Train and i LIKE IT by Enrique iglesias….BEST ALBUM RECOVERY BY EMINEM.
this award are a joke, GRAMMYs please please reconigze true music!!
I am totally confused? Ke$ha & Bieber are being honored for their singing talent? WOW
Please excuse me, but I thought the AMERICAN Music Awards were recognizing top popular American artists/groups. As I was surprised that 2 out of 3 bands in the Alternative artist category are not American were nominated (but I do like all 3 Alternative Bands). Just Sayin
oh & BTW, I don’t really care who wins anyways as the AMAs are as irrelevant as the People’s Choice Awards IMO.
Ho-hum…….hope there’s a good movie on another channel.
Are you guys serious? Why would Taylor lead the pack? SHE WON ARTIST OF THE YEAR LAST YEAR. Does that give you a clue? Her album was released two years ago. Do your homework!
Not surprised by the inclusion of so much mediocrity, as well as some downright horrendous “music.” Just listen to the radio. 90% of Top 40 music is pure garbage these days. I feel like Top 40 radio has a hit a low point, well, at least the lowest it has been in several years.
Rihanna, soul artist, I don`t think so! It was a travesty that she won last year in this category, but this is a popularity and sales awards. Trust me Rihanna will never win a Grammy in the R&B category, she`s pop! period.
Taylor was not eligible for any other awards. Fearless was released two years ago! Next year after speak now is released im sure she will have many others! Same goes for lady gaga.
AMA’s are a big joke. I don’t see any music artists on this list. Just crap on top of crap.
EW, the question here is why Carrie Underwood isn’t nominated for Artist of the Year? Look at the year she’s had: 3 number 1′s, great Play On Tour, Play On album selling almost 2 million copies….so on and on. Shame on you for not pointing that out…glad to know that you are a “Taylor Swift website”….
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