Rihanna And Nicki Minaj Top American Music Awards Nominees List

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By Gil Kaufman

Rihanna and Nicki Minaj have been dominating headlines for the past few weeks and, not surprisingly, the two stars are leading the pack of nominees, with four nods each, for the upcoming 40th annual American Music Awards.

The show will air live on November 18 from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and feature a major showdown for the coveted Artist of the Year prize, pitting Rihanna against Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5 and bestie Katy Perry.

Drake, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher are just behind the leading ladies with three nominations each, while Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, Fun., Gotye, J.Cole, Perry, Kelly Clarkson and Pitbull are each up for two awards. The AMA's have added a new category this year, Favorite Artist: Electronic Dance Music, with bids for David Guetta, Calvin Harris and Skrillex. Winners will be determined by online voting that starts today at amavote.com, as well as AMA.abc.com, with performers and presenters to be announced soon. Christina Aguilera, who unveiled the nominations, is the first announced performer on the show. One Direction will face off against Fun., Cole, Gotye and Carly Rae Jepsen for New Artist of the Year, while Usher will take on protégé Bieber, as ell as Flo Rida and Pitbull for Favorite Male Artist -- Pop/Rock. The female category will feature Rihanna and Perry up against Minaj and Kelly Clarkson. The full list of AMA nominations:

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 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: Electronic Dance Music
» David Guetta
» Calvin Harris
» Skrillex

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

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