American music stars, Kendrick Lamar and Drake, lead the list of nominees for the 2019 Grammy Awards announced Friday.
Rapper Cardi B, singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, Kacey Musgraves, R&B artists H.E.R and Janelle Monáe were among the women who will compete for album of the year.
Lamar received eight nominations — including his fourth for album of the year — for his role as executive producer of the soundtrack to Marvel’s “Black Panther,” and Drake was nominated seven times in connection with his blockbuster double album “Scorpion” and guest appearances.
Rounding out the category is “Beerbongs & Bentleys” by the 23-year-old rapper and singer Post Malone.
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But each of the big four general field categories — record of the year, song of the year, album of the year and best new artist — is dominated by women, including six out of eight acts up for best new artist: Chloe x Halle, H.E.R., Dua Lipa, Margo Price, Bebe Rexha and Jorja Smith.
Five of the songs nominated for record of the year, which is awarded to a track’s performers, feature women in leading roles: “I Like It,” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin; “The Joke” by Carlile; “All the Stars” by Lamar and SZA; and “The Middle” by Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey. Also nominated in the category: Childish Gambino’s No. 1 hit “This Is America,” which went viral via its politically and racially provocative video; Drake’s No. 1 single “God’s Plan” and Post Malone’s No. 1 “Rockstar,” featuring 21 Savage.
Song of the year went to the writers of “All the Stars,” “The Joke,” “The Middle,” and “This Is America,” plus Ella Mai’s R&B anthem “Boo’d Up,” Shawn Mendes’s power ballad “In My Blood,” and “Shallow,” from “A Star Is Born,” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
