LOS ANGELES — Whether he wins or loses on Grammy night, the chances of more Kanye West awards show drama were high after he received a leading eight nominations Thursday.
The British singer Amy Winehouse received six nominations after months of personal problems that took the focus off her gritty, soulful music. Other top nominees included the Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Paul McCartney, T-Pain and Timbaland.
Both West and Winehouse were nominated for album of the year for their CDs “Graduation” and “Back to Black,” respectively. Winehouse was also cited for best new artist, plus record and song of the year for the defiant hit “Rehab.”
Other record of the year candidates included Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable,” the Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender,” Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and “What Goes Around Comes Around” by Justin Timberlake.
Winehouse, an admitted marijuana smoker, has been dogged by reports of further drug use amid a flurry of canceled concert dates. Just this week she was spotted walking outside of her London home wearing a bra and jeans, with no shoes, looking distressed.
“She makes Lindsay Lohan look cool,” comedian George Lopez said on stage as he helped announce the nominations.
West, known for throwing tantrums at awards shows when he doesn’t win, has had a triumphant yet tragic year. He knocked 50 Cent off his throne when “Graduation” had the best-selling debut of the year with nearly 1 million copies sold, but his mother died suddenly in November at age 58 after plastic surgery.
In addition to West and Winehouse, the album of the year category also featured the Foo Fighters, for “Echoes, Silence, Patience &Grace,” Vince Gill’s four-disc set “These Days” and, surprisingly, Herbie Hancock’s tribute to Joni Mitchell, “River: The Joni Letters.”
Hancock, on hand to announce the nominees, said he was shocked.
“It’s not a category you normally find a jazz artist,” said Hancock, who said he had awakened that morning at 5:30 a.m. to chant Buddhist prayers for a half-hour. “I don’t chant to win awards … But it helps my life. And I’ve never been nominated for album of the year.”
Nominees announced Thursday in selected categories for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards:
Record of the Year: “Irreplaceable,” Beyonce; “The Pretender,” Foo Fighters; “Umbrella,” Rihanna featuring Jay-Z; “What Goes Around … Comes Around,” Justin Timberlake; “Rehab,” Amy Winehouse.
Album of the Year: “Echoes, Silence, Patience &Grace,” Foo Fighters; “These Days,” Vince Gill; “River: The Joni Letters,” Herbie Hancock; “Graduation,” Kanye West; “Back to Black,” Amy Winehouse.
Song of the Year: “Before He Cheats,” Josh Kear &Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood); “Hey There Delilah,” Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s); “Like a Star,” Corinne Bailey Rae (Corinne Bailey Rae); “Rehab,” Amy Winehouse (Amy Winehouse); “Umbrella,” Shawn Carter, Kuk Harrell, Terius “Dream” Nash &Christopher Stewart (Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z).
New Artist: Feist; Ledisi; Paramore; Taylor Swift; Amy Winehouse.
Pop Vocal Album: “Lost Highway,” Bon Jovi; “The Reminder,” Feist; “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long,” Maroon 5; “Memory Almost Full,” Paul McCartney; “Back to Black,” Amy Winehouse.
Rock Album: “Daughtry,” Daughtry; “Revival,” John Fogerty; “Echoes, Silence, Patience &Grace,” Foo Fighters; “Magic,” Bruce Springsteen; “Sky Blue Sky,” Wilco.
R&B Album: “Funk This,” Chaka Khan; “Lost &Found,” Ledisi; “Luvanmusiq,” Musiq Soulchild; “The Real Thing,” Jill Scott; “Sex, Love &Pain,” Tank.
Rap Album: “Finding Forever,” Common; “Kingdom Come,” Jay-Z, “Hip Hop Is Dead,” Nas; “T.I. vs T.I.P.,” T.I.; “Graduation,” Kanye West.
Country Album: “Long Trip Alone,” Dierks Bentley; “These Days,” Vince Gill; “Let It Go,” Tim McGraw; “5th Gear,” Brad Paisley; “It Just Comes Natural,” George Strait.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
