Rihanna, Nicki Minaj nominated for four American Music Awards

Rihanna and Nicki Minaj have received the most nominations for the 2012 American Music Awards (AMAs).

The artists are each in the running for four awards, with Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher following just behind with three.



Bieber, Rihanna, Maroon 5, Drake and Katy Perry will compete for the 'Artist of the Year' gong, while J Cole, fun., Gotye, Carly Rae Jepsen and One Direction are all up for 'New Artist of the Year'.

Minaj's four nominations are for 'Favourite Female Artist - Pop/Rock', 'Favourite Artist - Rap/ Hip Hop', 'Favourite Album - Pop/Rock' and 'Favourite Album - Rap/ Hip Hop' for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded.

As well as 'Artist of the Year', Rihanna is up for 'Favourite Female Artist - Pop/Rock', 'Favourite Female Artist - Soul/R&B' and 'Favourite Album - Soul/R&B' for Talk That Talk.

Meanwhile, David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex will battle it out in new category 'Favourite Artist - Electronic Dance Music (EDM)'.

Christina Aguilera - who announced the nominations today (October 9) - is the first performer to be confirmed for the ceremony at Los Angeles's Nokia theater on November 18.

Voting is now open online for the awards.

The 2012 American Music Awards nominations are as follows:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Maroon 5
Katy Perry
Rihanna

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
J. Cole
fun.
Gotye
Carly Rae Jepsen
One Direction

FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST - POP/ROCK:
Justin Bieber
Flo Rida
Pitbull
Usher

FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST - POP/ROCK:
Kelly Clarkson
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna

FAVOURITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP - POP/ROCK:
fun.
Maroon 5
One Direction
The Wanted

FAVOURITE ALBUM - POP/ROCK:
Justin Bieber, Believe
Maroon 5, Overexposed
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
One Direction, Up All Night

FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST - COUNTRY:
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church

FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST - COUNTRY:
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

FAVOURITE BAND, DUO or GROUP - COUNTRY:
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts

FAVOURITE ALBUM - COUNTRY:
Luke Bryan, Tailgates & Tanlines
Lionel Richie, Tuskegee
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away

FAVOURITE ARTIST - RAP/HIP-HOP:
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Tyga

FAVOURITE ALBUM - RAP/HIP-HOP:
J Cole, Cole World: The Sideline Story
Drake, Take Care
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST - SOUL/R&B:
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher

FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST - SOUL/R&B:
Beyoncé
Mary J Blige
Rihanna

FAVOURITE ALBUM - SOUL/R&B:
Chris Brown, Fortune
Rihanna, Talk That Talk
Usher, Looking 4 Myself

FAVOURITE ARTIST - ALTERNATIVE ROCK:
The Black Keys
Gotye
Linkin Park

FAVOURITE ARTIST - ADULT CONTEMPORARY:
Adele
Kelly Clarkson
Train

FAVOURITE ARTIST - LATIN:
Don Omar
Pitbull
Shakira

FAVOURITE ARTIST - CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL:
Jeremy Camp
Newsboys
tobyMac

FAVOURITE ARTIST - ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM):
David Guetta
Calvin Harris
Skrillex