Image: HiCelebs
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mary J. Blige, whose album "The Breakthrough" was perhaps the biggest in her career, was nominated for a leading eight Grammy Awards on Thursday, including album of the year. The Red Hot Chili Peppers were also multiple nominees, garnering six.
Other multiple nominees were the Dixie Chicks, British newcomer James Blunt, John Mayer, Prince, and the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am.
Blige was nominated for album of the year, record of the year for "Be Without You" and song of the year for the same track.
Other nominees for album of the year included the Dixie Chicks' "Taking the Long Way," Gnarls Barkley's "St. Elsewhere," Mayer's "Continuum," Justin Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds," and the Red Hot Chili Pepper's "Stadium Arcadium."
Corrine Bailey Rae, a silky pop-soul singer from Britain, was nominated for best new artist, but was a surprise nominee for record of the year for "Put Your Records On." Other nominees in that category were Blunt's ubiquitous ballad, "You're Beautiful," Gnarls Barkley's psychedelic groove "Crazy," and the Dixie Chicks angry "Not Ready to Make Nice."
Besides Rae, other nominees for best new artist included teen R&B singer Chris Brown, Imogen Heap, Blunt, and former "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood. Gnarls Barkley, a duo of producer Danger Mouse and rapper/singer Cee-Lo, were surprisingly shut out. However, they did receive a total of four nominations.
Canadians earning Grammy attention included Nelly Furtado, Neil Young and Diana Krall.
Furtado is up for a best pop collaboration with vocal for her song "Promiscuous", with Timbaland.
She faces stiff competition from Grammy veterans including Tony Bennett & Stevie Wonder for their collaboration, "For Once In My Life," Mary J. Blige & U2 for "One;" Sheryl Crow & Sting for "Always On Your Side" and Shakira & Wyclef Jean for "Hips Don't Lie."
Furtado won for best female pop vocal performance at the 2001 Grammy Awards for "I'm Like A Bird."
Young is up for two trophies, vying for best rock album with his politically charged "Living With War" against John Mayer Trio's "Try!;" Tom Petty's "Highway Companion;" the Raconteurs "Broken Boy Soldiers;" and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Stadium Arcadium."
Young is also up for best rock solo vocal performance for his song "Looking for a Leader." Competition comes from Beck ("Nausea"), Bob Dylan ("Someday Baby"), John Mayer ("Route 66") and Tom Petty ("Saving Grace").
Daniel Powter of Vernon, B.C., is up for best pop male vocal for his song "Bad Day."
Last year, Young lost out on two Grammy nominations for his autobiographical album, "Prairie Wind," which marked a return to the rocker's country roots.
Krall is up for best jazz vocal album for her disc, "From This Moment On." She faces off against "Footprints" by Karrin Allyson, "Easy To Love" by Roberta Gambarini, "Live At Jazz Standard With Fred Hersch" by Nancy King, and "Turned To Blue" by Nancy Wilson.
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