Lil Wayne bags 8 Grammy nominations

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-05 07:48

Lil Wayne performs at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles in this September 7, 2008 file photo. Lil Wayne, whose new album was the biggest seller of the year, led the field of Grammy contenders with eight nominations, organizers of the music industry's top honors said on December 3, 2008. [Agencies]

Lil Wayne didn't get A Milli Grammy nominations, but his total haul was still pretty amazing.

The prolific and ubiquitous rap MVP, who became pop's biggest success in 2008 with his top-selling album Tha Carter III, was duly rewarded Wednesday with a leading eight nominations, includi ng a coveted album of the year bid.

Although the New Orleans rapper - who has been nominated for Grammys before but has never taken home a trophy - was the leading nominee, he wasn't the only big act to have a big night.

Following close behind during the Grammys' first-ever nominations concert was Coldplay, with seven nods. The Chris Martin-led British group's Viva La Vida, one of the year's best-selling CDs, is in album of the year contention along with Radiohead's groundbreaking In Rainbows; singer-songwriter Ne-Yo's Year of the Gentleman; and Robert Plant's collaboration with Alison Krauss, Raising Sand.

Coldplay and Plant & Krauss were also nominated in the coveted record of the year category for the respective songs Viva La Vida and Please Read the Letter. Other record of the year nominees were British songstress Leona Lewis for Bleeding Love; another British newcomer, Adele, for Chasing Pavements; and M.I.A. for her breakthrough hit, Paper Planes.

Metallica got three nominations, but their huge comeback record Death Magnetic didn't get a nod for album of the year despite being a top seller in 2008.

Nominations were announced in a new format this year, with an hour-long CBS concert special that featured several performers including Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera.

While Tha Carter III was not regarded by critics as his greatest CD, it was the album that made the highly regarded rapper - who has been on the scene for more than a decade - a certified superstar, thanks to massive hits like Lollipop and A Milli.

Tha Carter III was the only record this year to sell 1 million copies in its first week and is the year's top seller with 2.7 million copies sold.

Singer Christina Aguilera performs at The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! Countdown to Music's Biggest Night in Los Angeles on Wednesday. [Agencies]

Coldplay's Viva La Vida was also a huge hit; it has sold 1.9 million copies to date. Radiohead's In Rainbows didn't break sales records, but it was as revolutionary as it was critically acclaimed. First released last fall in a pay-as-you wish format on the band's website, In Rainbows was an instant viral sensation that shook up an industry struggling with its traditional business model (although Radiohead later released the album traditionally via a record label).

Other multiple nominees included Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, who had six each; Krauss, who has numerous Grammy wins, got five nominations.

Another Grammy favorite, John Mayer, netted five as well, while Jennifer Hudson got four.

Recognition for Sullivan

Jazmine Sullivan's first song was a No. 1 hit on the R&B and hip-hop charts, and her raspy voice has drawn her comparisons to Lauryn Hill. Still, the singer-songwriter was struggling for recognition in a crowded field of music newcomers.

The Recording Academy just made it easier for her. On Wednesday, it nominated the 21-year-old for five Grammys, including best new artist.

"It's surreal," she said. "I can't believe they actually liked the project and liked me as an artist."

Besides the best new artist nod, Sullivan's CD, Fearless, was nominated for best contemporary R&B album. She was also nominated for best female R&B vocal for Need U Bad, best traditional R&B vocal for In Love With Another Man, and best R&B song for Bust Your Windows.