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Snubs, Surprises and Sure-Fire Picks in the Grammy Nominations: One of Music’s Biggest Stars Is Shut Out

Dec 6, 2012  •  Post A Comment

The nominations for the 55th annual Grammy Awards, announced last night, included at least one huge surprise, as one of music’s biggest current stars was shut out, People magazine reports.

Justin Bieber, who many observers predicted would at least get a nod for best pop vocal album for “Believe,” wound up without a nomination. Also snubbed was the pop group One Direction, which was expected to contend for best new artist. Both Bieber and One Direction are among the top-selling artists of 2012.

“Those boys weren’t the only ones snubbed by voters,” the report notes. “Nicki Minaj and Lionel Richie both failed to get recognized for their hit albums ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ and ‘Tuskegee,’ respectively. Richie, teaming up with country stars to remake his hits, appeared to have sure-fire bait for album of the year.”

The piece notes that with the absence of Adele from the pop music scene this year, the field was wide-open. Six artists tied for the most nominations with six apiece: the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach; fun.; Jay-Z; Mumford & Sons; Frank Ocean; and Kanye West.

“But with Jay-Z and West mostly relegated to the rap categories, it’s really all about the other four, who all are up for the prestigious album of the year,” People adds.

The fifth nominee for album of the year, Jack White’s “Blunderbuss,” is a mild surprise, beating out Maroon 5’s “Overexposed.” Maroon 5 had a big year, but wound up with only two nominations.

The report adds: “The record of the year candidates were also a likely bunch, with the Black Keys (‘Lonely Boy’); Kelly Clarkson (‘Stronger [What Doesn’t Kill You]’); fun. featuring Janelle Monae (‘We Are Young’); Gotye featuring Kimbra (‘Somebody That I Used to Know’); and Taylor Swift (‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’) picking up nods.

“But Ocean was a welcome surprise for ‘Thinking Bout You.’"

Ocean also will compete for best new artist, along with expected nominees fun. and Hunter Hayes. “But no one saw bluesy rockers Alabama Shakes coming here,” the story reports. “And the Lumineers, a folk-rock trio, seemed a long shot to beat out Gotye, Carly Rae Jepsen or even Ed Sheeran for a spot.”

Singer-songwriter Sheeran did receive a nod for song of the year for his folkie hit "The A Team," as did Miguel’s R&B single "Adorn” — one of five nominations for Miguel.

The piece adds: “With three nominations, including best country album for his self-titled set, Hayes was one heartthrob who will give the girls someone to cheer for when the winners are announced at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.”

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