Jay-Z led all artists with nine Grammy nominations, but newcomers Lorde, Kendrick Lamar, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis edged out industry heavyweights for nods in the top categories of the annual music awards.
Although the Brooklyn-born rapper was recognized nine times, he failed to land solo nods in the top Grammy categories for Record, Song or Album of the Year— scoring only one as a producer on Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” record, nominated for in the Album of the Year.
Justin Timberlake, who made a return to the musical spotlight this year, picked up seven nominations, but also failed to make the top three categories.
Seattle rapper-producer duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis capped their stellar rise over the past year from the independent music scene into mainstream pop with seven nominations, including song of the year and the coveted best new artist category.
The Grammy Awards are the music industry's top honors and are voted on by members of the Recording Academy. The winners will be announced live on January 26 on the U.S. network CBS.
