Rihanna, Nicki Minaj Lead 2012 American Music Awards Nominations

Girl power reigns supreme at the 2012 American Music Awards. Rihanna and Nicki Minaj lead the pack with the most nominations at this year’s show.

The femme fatales score four nominations each, it was announced today. Drake, Usher, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, and One Direction follow with three nominations apiece, while Chris Brown, J. Cole, Carrie Underwood, fun., Gotye, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan, and Pitbull each earn two nods.
A grateful Nicki took to Twitter to celebrate the news. “4 nominations?!?!?! Whoa! Thank you so very much to the American Music Awards. Very, very grateful. Luvu Barbz!!! mmmmuuuaaaahhhh!!!!” she tweeted.
In the coveted Artist of the Year category, the nominees include Rihanna, Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, and Katy Perry, while J. Cole will vie against fun., Gotye, Carly Rae Jepsen, and One Direction for New Artist of the Year.
Drake will go up against his Young Money labelmates Nicki and Tyga in the Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist category, while Chris Brown, Rihanna, and Usher face off for Favorite Soul/R&B Album.
Christina Aguilera will perform at the 40th annual affair set to be broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles on November 18 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.
See the full list of nominees below.
2012 American Music Awards Nominations
Artist of the Year
Justin Bieber
Drake
Maroon 5
Katy Perry
Rihanna
New Artist of the Year
J. Cole
fun.
Gotye
Carly Rae Jepsen
One Direction
Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock
Justin Bieber
Flo Rida
Pitbull
Usher
Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock
Kelly Clarkson
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna
Favorite Band, Duo, or Group – Pop/Rock
fun.
Maroon 5
One Direction
The Wanted
Favorite Album – Pop/Rock
Justin Bieber – Believe
Maroon 5 – Overexposed
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
One Direction – Up All Night
Favorite Male Artist – Country
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Favorite Female Artist – Country
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo, or Group – Country
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album – Country
Luke Bryan – Tailgates & Tanlines
Lionel Richie – Tuskegee
Carrie Underwood – Blown Away
Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Tyga
Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story
Drake – Take Care
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher
Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna
Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
Chris Brown – Fortune
Rihanna – Talk That Talk
Usher – Looking 4 Myself
Favorite Album – Alternative Rock
The Black Keys
Gotye
Linkin Park
Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary
Adele
Kelly Clarkson
Train
Favorite Artist – Latin
Don Omar
Pitbull
Shakira
Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational
Jeremy Camp
Newsboys
tobyMac
Favorite Artist – Electronic Dance Music (EDM)
David Guetta
Calvin Harris
Skrillex