NEW YORK, USA – The full list of nominees for the 2016 American Music Awards has been released, and rap chart-topper Drake on Monday earned a record 13 nominations, topping the mark set by late king of pop Michael Jackson.
The Toronto rapper, whose Views has been the top-selling album released this year in the United States, was in the running for Artist of the Year and raked in other nominations thanks to his slew of collaborations.
Winners of the American Music Awards are based on fan voting in contrast to the more prestigious Grammy Awards, for which the Recording Academy surveys industry professionals.
Boy band One Direction, who were never nominated for a Grammy, won Artist of the Year at the past two American Music Awards.
ABC television, which will broadcast the awards gala in Los Angeles on November 20, announced the nominations on its Good Morning America program.
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The other nominees for Artist of the Year include ballad singer Adele, whose 25 released last year is the strongest selling album in years and considered a Grammy front-runner, and pop diva Beyonce.
The other nominees in the top category are arena-packing singers Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Rihanna, R&B sensation The Weeknd, alternative pop duo Twenty One Pilots and country star Carrie Underwood.
Below is the full list of nominees.
Artist of the Year
- Adele
- Beyoncé
- Justin Bieber
- Drake
- Selena Gomez
- Ariana Grande
- Rihanna
- Twenty One Pilots
- Carrie Underwood
- The Weeknd
New Artist of the Year Un-Leashed By T-Mobile
- Alessia Cara
- The Chainsmokers
- Dnce
- Shawn Mendes
- Zayn
Collaboration of the Year
- The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya “Don’t Let Me Down”
- Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
- Fifth Harmony Featuring Ty Dolla $Ign “Work From Home”
- Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
- Meghan Trainor Featuring John Legend “Like I’m Gonna Lose You”
Tour of the Year
- Beyoncé
- Madonna
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Video of the Year
- Justin Bieber “Sorry”
- Desiigner “Panda”
- Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock
- Justin Bieber
- Drake
- The Weeknd
Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock
- Adele
- Selena Gomez
- Rihanna
Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock
- The Chainsmokers
- Dnce
- Twenty One Pilots
Favorite Album – Pop/Rock
- Adele 25”
- Justin Bieber Purpose
- Drake Views
Favorite Song- Pop/Rock
- Adele “Hello”
- Justin Bieber “Love Yourself”
- Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
Favorite Male Artist – Country
- Luke Bryan
- Thomas Rhett
- Blake Shelton
Favorite Female Artist – Country
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Cam
- Carrie Underwood
Favorite Duo or Group – Country
- Zac Brown Band
- Florida Georgia Line
- Old Dominion
Favorite Album - Country
- Luke Bryan Kill The Lights
- Chris Stapleton Traveller
- Carrie Underwood Storyteller
Favorite Song - Country
- Florida Georgia Line “H.O.L.Y”
- Tim Mcgraw “Humble And Kind”
- Thomas Rhett “Die A Happy Man”
Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop
- Drake
- Fetty Wap
- Future
Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop
- Drake “Views”
- Drake & Future “What A Time To Be Alive”
- Fetty Wap “Fetty Wap”
Favorite Song – Rap/Hip-Hop
- Desiigner “Panda”
- Drake “Hotline Bling”
- Fetty Wap “679”
Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B
- Chris Brown
- Bryson Tiller
- The Weeknd
Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B
- Beyoncé
- Janet Jackson
- Rihanna
Favorite Album – Soul/R&B
- Beyoncé Lemonade
- Rihanna Anti
- Bryson Tiller T R A P S O U L
Favorite Song – Soul/R&B
- Drake Featuring Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance”
- Rihanna Featuring Drake “Work”
- Bryson Tiller “Don’t”
Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock
- Coldplay
- Twenty One Pilots
- X Ambassadors
Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary
- Adele
- Rachel Platten
- Meghan Trainor
Favorite Artist - Latin
- J Balvin
- Enrique Iglesias
- Nicky Jam
Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational
- Lauren Daigle
- Hillsong United
- Chris Tomlin
Favorite Artist - Electronic Dance Music (Edm)
- The Chainsmokers
- Calvin Harris
- Major Lazer
Top Soundtrack
- Purple Rain
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- Suicide Squad: The Album
Drake's postponed tour
But on the same day as his nomination glory, Drake postponed the final three performances of his "Summer Sixteen" tour under doctors' orders, his spokesperson said.
"Drake suffered a severe ankle injury during the tour which he did his best to power through. By doing this, he made his injury worse," the spokesperson said, adding that Drake needed time to recuperate and "give fans the performances they deserve."
Drake, whose hits such as "Hotline Bling" have won him an avid fan base, had been due to play two nights in New York's Barclays Center before closing his tour Saturday in nearby Newark.
The rapper, who turns 30 later this month, beat the nomination record set by Jackson, who in 1984 was in line for 11 awards amid the colossal success of his Thriller album.
Grammy nominations are expected to be unveiled in early December, with the awards taking place on February 12. – Rappler.com