Updated Friday, Dec. 5 – 12:35 pm
English singer-songwriter Sam Smith and powerhouse Beyonce were at the head of the pack of Grammy nominees today with five nods each, but Smith was selected for more of the most coveted awards, including song of the year and record of the year.
Australian rap/hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea was close behind, scoring four nominations and set to compete with Smith for the best new artist title.
Fans will have to wait until tonight for news of nominees in the biggest category, album of the year.
Smith’s other nominations were for best pop vocal album for his “In The Lonely Hour” and best pop solo performance.
Azalea’s “Fancy” was nominated for record of the year and, in addition to best new artist, the rapper also got nods for best pop duo/group performance for teaming up with Charli XCX on “Fancy” and best rap album for “The New Classic.”
Beyonce’s “Drunk In Love” featuring Jay Z was nominated for best R&B performance and best R&B song. Her her album “Beyonce” picked up a nod for best urban contemporary album and best surround sound album.
“Beyonce & Jay Z: On the Run Tour” scored a nomination for best music film.
In the song of the year category, awarded to songwriters, the lucky nominees are Smith’s “Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” “Chandelier” by Sia, “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor, “Take Me to Church” by Hozier and “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.
Four of five of those songs – by Smith, Sia, Trainor and Swift — also were nominated for record of the year, along with Azalea’s “Fancy” featuring Charli XCX.
Swift’s blockbuster album “1989” is ineligible this year, based on the date of its release, but the single came out before the awards deadline.
Nominees for best new artist alongside Smith and Azalea include country music singer-songwriter Brandy Clark, English rock band Bastille and California indie sister act Haim.
For best pop vocal album, Smith’s “In The Lonely Hour” will compete with British band Coldplay’s “Ghost Stories,” Miley Cyrus’ “Bangerz,” Ariana Grande’s “My Everything,” Katy Perry’s “Prism,” and Ed Sheeran’s “x.”
Best urban contemporary album nominees include Beyonce’s “Beyonce,” Chris Brown’s “X,” Jhene Aiko’s “Sail Out,” Mali Music’s “Mali Is…” and Pharrell Williams’ “G I R L.”
Nominees for best country album include “Riser” by Dierks Bentley, “The Outsiders” by Eric Church, “12 Stories” by Brandy Clark, “Platinum” by Miranda Lambert and “The Way I’m Livin’” by Lee Ann Womack.
Nominations for record of the year, best pop vocal album, best urban contemporary album and best country album were announced by pop/R&B star Williams and Sheeran live on “CBS This Morning” beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
Additional nominees were announced via video posts on Twitter by various artists and celebrities and a list of nominations for 82 of the 83 awards categories was posted at www.grammy.com late this morning.
Nominees for album of the year will be revealed during “A Very Grammy Christmas,” set to air live tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and to be broadcast locally on CBS at 9 p.m. Pacific Time.
Two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J will host the one-hour special, featuring performances by Smith, Williams, Grande, Tim McGraw, Big Sean, Mary J. Blige and Maroon5.
The 57th annual Grammy Awards will be handed out Feb. 8 at Staples Center.
