English singer-songwriter Sam Smith, powerhouse Beyonce and the multi-talented Pharrell Williams each received six nominations for the 57th annual Grammy Awards today, including album of the year.
Joining Smith’s “In The Lonely Hour,” Beyonce’s “Beyonce,” and Williams’ “Girl” as album of the year nominees are Beck’s “Morning Phase” and Ed Sheeran’s “X.”
Australian rap/hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea was among 10 artists and recording engineer Tom Coyne to receive four nominations. Azalea will compete with Smith for the best new artist Grammy, along with the English rock band Bastille, country music singer-songwriter Brandy Clark and and the California indie sister act Haim.
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.”
The other artists receiving four nominations were Beck, Eric Church, Drake, Gordon Goodwin, Jay Z, Miranda Lambert, Sia, Usher and Jack White.
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 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. The 57th annual Grammy Awards cover work released between Oct. 1, 2013 and Sept. 30.
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 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’ “Girl.”
Nominees for best country album were “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.
Former President Jimmy Carter, the late comedian Joan Rivers and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, were among the nominees in the best spoken word album. Actor James Franco, singer Gloria Gaynor and movie director John Waters were the other nominees in the category.
Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K., “Weird Al” Yankovic, Jim Gaffigan and Patton Oswalt were the best comedy album nominees.
The 57th annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be held Feb. 8 at Staples Center.
