Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon Score Top Grammy Nominations

To the surprise of few, megahit acts like Beyonce and Taylor Swift are in position to make big impacts at this year’s Grammy Awards. The two led the nomination pack with ten and eight nods, respectively, and will compete with acts like Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas and Kings of Leon for some of the ceremony’s most coveted awards.

Beyonce’s “I Am…Sasha Fierce” and Swift’s “Fearless” join Lady Gaga’s “The Fame,” the Black Eyed Peas’ “The END” and the Dave Matthews Band’s “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King” for album of the year.

Contending for record of the year are Beyonce’s “Halo,” Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me,” The Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling,” Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” and Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.”

All contenders in the top two Grammy categories were wildly successful mainstream hits; none of the aforementioned choices would be considered a risky nomination.

Song of the year (an award for the songwriter) choices include Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings,” Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” and Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me.”

Best new artist contenders include MGMT, the Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, Silversun Pickups and the Ting Tings.

To view the full list of Grammy Awards nominations, click here. The ceremony airs live this January.