Rapper Jay-Z tops 2014 Grammy nominations

LOS ANGELES - Agence France-Presse

Singer Lorde performs ‘Royals’ at The Grammy Nominations Concert Live - Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night event at Nokia theater in LA. REUTERS photo

Veteran rapper Jay-Z topped nominees for the 2014 Grammys announced Dec. 6 with nine nods, while Taylor Swift and Daft Punk were also among those in the running in major categories. But Jay-Z other major stars including Justin Timberlake failed to score any nominations in the major categories, which saw a mixture of rap and pop in the running for the top honors at music’s equivalent of the Oscars next month.

In second place with seven nods apiece were California hip hop star Kendrick Lamar and rapper Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, as well as Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams, while rapper Drake scored five.

The nominees in key categories were announced during an hour-long concert at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles, including video-link performances by Swift from Australia and Katy Perry live from Canada.

“This year’s nominations reflect the talented community of music makers who represent some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry of the year in their respective fields,” said Neil Portnow head of Grammys organizers The Recording Academy.

Taylor Swift will compete with Daft Punk

In the coveted Record of the Year category songstress Swift’s “Red” will compete with French electro duo Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s “The Heist,” Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” and Sara Bareilles “The Blessed Unrest.” Record Of The Year candidates are Daft Punk & Williams’ ubiquitous “Get Lucky,” New Zealand teenager Lorde’s “Royals,” “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons, Hawaiian crooner Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out Of Heaven” and Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” made infamous by Miley Cyrus’ twerking at the MTV Video Music Awards show.

Shortlisted for Song of the Year for songwriters, as opposed to performers were “Just Give Me A Reason” sung by Pink Featuring Nate Ruess; “Locked Out Of Heaven” sung by Bruno Mars; “Roar” sung by Katy Perry; “Royals” sung by Lorde, and “Same Love” sung by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis was also nominated for Best New Artist, up against James Blake, Kendrick Lamar, Kacey Musgraves and Ed Sheeran. While big-hitters Jay-Z and Timberlake scored lots of nods, they were mostly in rap and pop/R &B categories respectively. 

The 56th annual Grammys show, music’s version of the Oscars, will be held on Jan. 26 at the Staples Center.