(UPDATED) For the first time ever, the nominees for the American Music Awards were chosen using BigChampagne Media's Ultimate Chart—which gathers data online, as well as, from retail and broadcast sources—not the Billboard 100. It's likely that, due to the wider scope of the data and analytics that the Ultimate Charts takes into consideration, the awards felt that it was the most accurate representation of artist popularity available. Still, this year's nominees won't surprise you:
Lady Antebellum and Eminem have five nominations and Justin Bieber has four.
POP ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
- Justin Bieber
- Eminem
- Usher
Favorite Female Artist
- Ke$ha
- Lady Gaga
- Katy Perry
Favorite Band, Duo or Group
- The Black Eyed Peas
- Lady Antebellum
- Train
Favorite Album
- Justin Bieber, “My World 2.0”
- Eminem, “Recovery”
- Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream”
COUNTRY MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Brad Paisley
Favorite Female Artist
- Miranda Lambert
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood
Favorite Band, Duo or Group
- Zac Brown Band
- Lady Antebellum
- Rascal Flatts
Favorite Album
- Jason Aldean, “Wide Open”
- Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”
- Carrie Underwood, “Play On”
RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
- B.o.B.
- Drake
- Eminem
Favorite Album
- B.o.B., “B.o.B. Presents”
- Drake, “Thank Me Later”
- Eminem, “Recovery”
SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES MUSIC
Favorite Male Artist
- Chris Brown
- Trey Songz
- Usher
Favorite Female Artist
- Alicia Keys
- Rihanna
- Sade
Favorite Album
- Alicia Keys, “The Element of Freedom”
- Sade, “Soldier of Love”
- Usher, “Raymond v. Raymond”
ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC
Favorite Artist
- Muse
- Phoenix
- Vampire Weekend
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Justin Bieber
- Eminem
- Ke$ha
- Lady Gaga
- Katy Perry
T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST NOMINATIONS
- B.o.B
- Justin Bieber
- Taio Cruz
- Jason Derülo
- Ke$ha
- Lady Antebellum
- Travie McCoy
- Mike Posner
