2012 American Music Awards: Nicki Minaj, Rihanna Lead Nominees With Four Nods, Trailed by Justin Bieber, One Direction

Awards show will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Nov. 18 at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre

By Alexis L. Loinaz Oct 09, 2012 7:20 PMTags
AMA Nominees, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, One DirectionRonaldo Schemidt/AFP/Christopher Polk/Kevin Winter/Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Nicki Minaj will be slugging it out again big time—and it won't be against Mariah Carey!

Big Barbz and Rihanna dominated all nominees for this year's American Music Awards with four nods apiece.

The noms were announced Tuesday by Christina Aguilera, who will also be performing at the show on Nov. 18. (Two for one!)

Following closely with three nods each are Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Usher and One Direction.

This year, there's no shortage of drama among the artists who'll be battling for prizes.

Rihanna will be competing with not one but two exes: Drake, for Artist of the Year; and Chris Brown, for Favorite Soul/R&B Album.

In the heartthrob department, Biebs goes up against boy band du jour One Direction for Favorite Pop/Rock Album.

Even kiss-happy, scandal-plagued Jason Aldean scored himself some love with a nod for Favorite Male Country Artist.

For the sixth year, winners will be determined by online voting, which kicks off today. This year's awards, which will celebrate the show's 40th anniversary, will be handed out on at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre and air live on ABC.

Ryan Seacrest sets Bieber's mom up with Chris Harrison

Here's the full list of nominees:

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

Favorite Male Artist—Pop/Rock
Justin Bieber
Flo Rida
Pitbull
Usher

Favorite Female Artist—Pop/Rock
Kelly Clarkson
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Favorite Band, Duo or Group—Pop/Rock
fun.
Maroon 5
One Direction
The Wanted

Favorite Album—Pop/Rock
Justin Bieber, Believe
Maroon 5, Overexposed
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
One Direction, Up All Night

Favorite Male Artist—Country
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church

Favorite Female Artist—Country
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group—Country
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album—Country
Luke Bryan, Tailgates & Tanlines
Lionel Richie, Tuskegee
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away

Favorite Artist—Rap/Hip-Hop
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Tyga

Favorite Album—Rap/Hip-Hop
J. Cole, Cole World: The Sideline Story
Drake, Take Care
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

Favorite Male Artist—Soul/R&B
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher

Favorite Female Artist—Soul/R&B
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna

Favorite Album—Soul/R&B
Chris Brown, Fortune
Rihanna, Talk That Talk
Usher/Looking 4 Myself

Favorite Artist—Alternative Rock
The Black Keys
Gotye
Linkin Park

Favorite Artist—Adult Contemporary
Adele
Kelly Clarkson
Train

Favorite Artist—Latin
Don Omar
Pitbull
Shakira

Favorite Artist—Contemporary Inspirational
Jeremy Camp
Newsboys
tobyMac

Favorite Artist—Electronic Dance Music
David Guetta
Calvin Harris
Skrillex