| GRAMMY NOMINEE | COMMENTS | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  fun. |
New York City’s finest band have sewn up nominations in the top four categories this year, with a total of six nods — now the world is watching to see how many they’ll walk away with. |
| 2 |  Black Keys |
After simmering on the indie circuit for years, this high-powered Ohio blues duo broke out in a big way with the help of producer Danger Mouse on 2010 single “Tighten Up,” leading up to the blockbuster success of El Camino, and a staggering six GRAMMY nominations this year, including Record of the Year (“Lonely Boy”) and Album of the Year for El Camino. |
| 3 |  Frank Ocean |
Frank Ocean’s already a GRAMMYs 2013 success story, with six nominations including Album and Record of the Year. The themes and beats of “Channel Orange” speak to Ocean’s hip-hop pedigree, but his voice is one of the most soulful to emerge in recent years. |
| 4 |  Mumford & Sons |
The band’s English folk-roots earned them a whopping six nominations for their second album, Babel. The GRAMMYs love the English (i.e. Adele) so picking these lads is a safe bet. |
| 5 |  Kanye West |
Since his entrée into music, the in-demand rap producer has become a bonafide MC. As head of the talented G.O.O.D. Music collective, Kanye Wests has emerged as player-coach. He wrangled rising rappers, including 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Pusha T, who helped elevate hit record “Mercy” to two GRAMMY nominations. With six nods altogether, he ties his Watch The Throne collaborator and “big brother” Jay-Z. Perhaps, his crowning moment. |
| 6 |  Jay-Z |
Jay-Z doesn’t just watch the throne, he owns it. Pulling tripple duty as a prolific rapper (eleven No.1 solo albums); entrepreneur (part owner of the NJ Nets franchise); and paparazzi-stalked husband (to Beyonce!); he’s logged six GRAMMY nods this year. He continued to write the blueprint with his Watch The Throne Kanye West collabo set. |
| 7 |  Kelly Clarkson |
Kelly Clarkson rose to popularity as the first winner of American Idol in 2002. The GRAMMY Award winning singer took home her first two GRAMMYS in 2006 for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album. |
| 8 |  Jack White |
His first solo outing has earned this rocker three nominations and a spot as one of the leading rock artists at this year’s awards. |
| 9 |  Hunter Hayes |
Though sometimes dubbed the Justin Bieber of country, 21-year-old Hunter Hayes is much more than a pretty face–he’s quickly becoming one of country music’s biggest new success stories. No wonder he has three GRAMMY noms, including Best New Artist. |
| 10 |  Bruce Springsteen |
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, perennial stadium headliner 40 years into the game, 20-time GRAMMY winner and this year’s Grammy MusiCares Person Of The Year. |
| 11 |  Gotye |
With over 355 million views on YouTube and holding the title of “Most Played Song of 2012,” not much else needs to be said about this global phenomenon. |
| 12 |  Carrie Underwood |
The American Idol blew fans away with her recent album and grabbed two nominations. But to beat the rest you have to have some fire in you, and Carrie… well we know what she did to that one guy’s car. |
| 13 |  Nas |
The Life Is Good rapper hit the ground running with his classic debut (Illmatic) in 1994. Throughout his 18-year career, Nas has remained among hip-hop’s elite class for longer than any other rapper. His recent Life Is Good album is a throwback to 90′s-era rap and a clinic for aspiring legends. He offered a look at life from the perspective of a father, a husband and a man coming into his own. Life is good for Nas but his music continue to live on a greater plane. |
| 14 |  Miguel |
Like fellow R&B breakout star Ocean, Miguel’s time writing songs for others (Usher, Asher Roth) was a mere warm-up for his own music. Between infectious elecro-soul single “Adorn” and impressive second album “Kaleidoscope Dreams,” Miguel’s up for five GRAMMYs, including Song of the Year. |
| 15 |  Eric Church |
Appearing a bit rough around the edges, the neo-Outlaw country star is more importantly a terrific songwriter and performer. His album “Chief” has spawned several hit songs, including GRAMMY-nominated “Springsteen,” one of the finest of 2012. |
| 16 |  Diplo |
The globe-trotting DJ and producer applied his dance floor-filling beats (often under the Major Lazer moniker) to a cavalcade of hits for A-list artists including Usher (“Climax”), Snoop Lion (“La La La”), No Doubt (“Push And Shove”) and even Justin Bieber (“Thought of You”), making him an early favorite for this year’s GRAMMY award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. |
| 17 |  Rihanna |
It’s been a controversial year for Rihanna, who insisted on talking that talk for all fo 2012. But the constant buzz didn’t stop her from earning two key GRAMMY nominations and keep her shinging brigth like a diamond. |
| 18 |  Maroon 5 |
The three-time GRAMMY Award winning Los Angeles-based band saw resurgence in their career when their hit single “Moves Like Jagger” was released last year. Since then, they’ve given new meaning to Overexposed with Adam Levine’s stint on The Voice. |
| 19 |  Carly Rae Jepsen |
We just met the Canadian pop star, who’s song was on the tip of our tongues all summer long. And it’s crazy that she earned herself two noms. But will her name get called on the big night? We say her chances are better than maybe. |
| 20 |  Usher |
Usher has managed to collect seven GRAMMYS throughout his 20+ years in the industry. One of the most consistent R&B singers, he has gone on to discover and support up-and-coming artists like Justin Bieber. |
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