Two of the music industry’s most buzzworthy newcomers will compete in a ring populated with established heavy hitters at this year’s American Music Awards.
Announced Monday, the AMA nominations list includes high-profile recognition for breakout country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves and rising soul/R&B artist Jhene Aiko. The women are nominated for the “Favorite Female Artist” awards in their respective genres.
Stepping into the spot occupied last year by Taylor Swift, Musgraves finds herself competing against returning nominees Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.
Aiko, meanwhile, challenges Beyonce and Mary J. Blige. None of the three was in last year’s female soul/R&B mix, which instead focused on Ciara, Rihanna and Alicia Keys.
A full list of nominees for the 2014 American Music Awards ceremony follows:
Other nominees:
Artist of the Year – Iggy Azalea, Beyonce, Luke Bryan, Eminem, Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Lorde, One Direction, Katy Perry, Pharrell
New Artist of the Year – Iggy Azalea, 5 Seconds of Summer, Sam Smith, Bastille, Meghan Trainor
Single of the Year – “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX, “All of Me” by John Legend, “Rude” by MAGIC!, “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry and Juicy J, “Happy” by Pharrell
Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock – John Legend, Sam Smith, Pharrell
Favorite Female Artist – Pop/Rock – Iggy Azalea, Lorde, Katy Perry
Favorite Band, Duo or Group – Pop/Rock – Imagine Dragons, One Direction, OneRepublic
Favorite Album – Pop/Rock – “Pure Heroine” by Lorde, “Midnight Memories” by One Direction, “PRISM” by Katy Perry
Favorite Male Artist – Country – Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton
Favorite Female Artist – Country – Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo or Group – Country – Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum
Favorite Album – Country – “Blame it On My Roots” by Garth Brooks, “The Outsiders” by Eric Church, “Just as I Am” by Brantley Gilbert
Favorite Artist – Rap/Hip-Hop – Iggy Azalea, Drake, Eminem
Favorite Album – Rap/Hip-Hop – “The New Classic” by Iggy Azalea, “Nothing Was the Same” by Drake, “MMLP2” by Eminem
Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B – Chris Brown, John Legend, Pharrell
Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B – Jhene Aiko, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce
Favorite Album – Soul/R&B – “Beyonce” by Beyonce, “Love in the Future” by John Legend, “G I R L” by Pharrell
Favorite Artist – Alternative Rock – Bastille, Lorde, Imagine Dragons
Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary – Sara Bareilles, Katy Perry, OneRepublic
Favorite Artist – Latin – Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, Romeo Santos
Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational – Casting Crowns, Hillsong United, Newsboys
Favorite Artist – EDM – Avicii, Calvin Harris, Zedd
Top Soundtrack – Frozen, The Fault in Our Stars, Guardians of the Galaxy