US trade magazine Billboard has announced the nominees for its annual awards which take place in Las Vegas next week. Nelly leads the way with ten nominations, Ashanti close behind with seven. As previously reported, Cher will receive the Artist Achievement Award, while Annie Lennox will be presented with the Billboard Century Award. The awards show, to be broadcast by Fox, will be fronted by US comedian Cedric ‘The Entertainer’ and will feature performances from Justin Timberlake, Faith Hill, Avril Lavigne, Creed, Nelly, and Puddle Of Mudd, and a tribute to Run DMC’s Jam Master Jay.
Those nominations in full:
Female Artist of the Year: Ashanti, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez, Pink
Male Artist of the Year: Eminem, Ja Rule, Nelly, Usher
New Artist of the Year: Ashanti, Vanessa Carlton, Avril Lavigne, The Calling
Duo/Group of The Year: Creed, Linkin Park, Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd
Album of the Year: Creed - Weathered, Eminem - The Eminem Show, Nelly - Nellyville, Pink - M!ssundaztood
Hot 100 Single of the Year: Ashanti - Foolish, Nelly - Hot In Herre, Nelly Featuring Kelly Rowland – Dilemma, Nickelback - How You Remind Me
R&B/Hip-Hop Male Artist of the Year: Eminem, Ludacris, Nelly, Usher
R&B/Hip-Hop Female Artist of the Year: Aaliyah, Ashanti, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans
R&B/Hip-Hop New Artist of the Year: Ashanti, B2K, Clipse, Tweet
R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year: Ashanti - Foolish, Musiq - Half Crazy, Nelly - Hot In Herre, Usher - U Don't Have to Call
R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year: Ashanti – Ashanti, Eminem - The Eminem Show, Ludacris - Word of Mouf, Nelly – Nellyville
Country Singles Artist of the Year: Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw
Country Female Artist of the Year: Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Jo Dee Messina
Country Male Artist of the Year: Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith
Country Duo/Group of the Year: Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Lonestar, Rascal Flatts
Country Single of the Year: Kenny Chesney - The Good Stuff, Steve Holy - Good Morning Beautiful, Alan Jackson – Drive, George Strait - Living and Living Well
Country Album of the Year: Garth Brooks – Scarecrow, Dixie Chicks – Home, Alan Jackson - Drive, Soundtrack - O' Brother Where Art Thou
Rock Artist of the Year: Creed, Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, Staind
Rock Track of the Year: Default - Wasting My Time, Godsmack - I Stand Alone, Puddle Of Mudd – Blurry, Staind - For You
Modern Rock Artist of the Year: Hoobastank, Incubus, Puddle of Mudd, System of A Down
Modern Rock Track of the Year: Jimmy Eat World - The Middle, Linkin Park - In The End, Puddle of Mudd – Blurry, Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way
Adult Contemporary Artist of the Year: Celine Dion, Enya, Enrique Iglesias, Five for Fighting
Adult Contemporary Single of the Year: Celine Dion - A New Day Has Come, Five for Fighting – Superman, Enrique Iglesias – Hero, Matchbox Twenty - If You're Gone
Rap Artist of the Year: Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Ludacris, Nelly
Rap Track of the Year: Fat Joe Featuring Ashanti - What's Luv?, Ja Rule Featuring Ashanti - Always on Time, Nelly - Hot In Herre, Nelly Featuring Kelly Rowland - Dilemma