Grammy Nominations: Jay-Z Leads, Diverse “Album of the Year” Hopefuls

macklemore_ryan_lewisFriday night, CBS aired the Grammys Nominations Concert with performances from all over the world (even with Ms. Swift all the way in Australia!) to celebrate the year in music and announce the nominations for the upcoming January award show. Interestingly, no act garnered nominations in all four major categories of song, album, record, and new artist of the year. That said, Jay-Z picked up the most nominations of the night with nine nominations, while Macklemore & Ryan Lewis hip-hop duo garnered seven.

In Album of the Year, Taylor Swift is the only artist nominated with a previous nomination, where she won for “Fearless” in 2010. Sara Bareilles, Daft Punk, Kendrick Lamar, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are sure to give her a run for her money this year. Bareilles is, without a doubt, this year’s dark horse and likely most surprising nomination in this category for those who haven’t picked up her album. For those that have, it’s more so a celebration. You’ll find the nominees in major categories below. For a full list of Grammy nominations, check out GRAMMY.COM.

The 56th Grammy Awards will be held live from Los Angeles on January 26 at 8/7c on CBS!

Song of the Year (songwriter award)

Just Give Me A Reason by Pink feat. Nate Reuss
Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars
Roar by Katy Perry
Royals by Lorde
Same Love by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis feat Mary Lambert

Best Duo Pop Group Performance

Get Lucky – Daft Punk feat Pharrel
Just Give Me A Reason by Pink feat Nate Reuss
Stay by Rihanna feat Mikky Ekko
Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke feat T.I. and Pharell
Suite and Tie by Justin Timberlake feat Jay Z.

Album of the Year

The Blessed Unrest by Sara Bareilles
Random Access Memories by Daft Punk
Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City by Kendrick Lamar
The Heist by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Red by Taylor Swift

Best Country Album

Night Train by Jason Aldean
Two Lanes of Freedom – Tim McGraw
Same Trailer Different Park by Kacey Musgraves
Based on a True Story by Blake Shelton
Red by Taylor Swift

Best New Artist

James Blake
Kendrick Lamar
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Kacey Musgraves
Ed Sheeran

Record of the Year

Get Lucky by Daft Punk
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
Royals by Lorde
Locked out of Heaven by Bruno Mars
Blurred Lines – By Robin Thicke

Best Pop Vocal Album

Paradise – Lana Del Rey
Pure Heroine -Lorde
Unorthodox Jukebox – Bruno Mars
Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke
The 20/20 Experience – The Complete Experience – Justin Timberlake

Best Dance Recording

Need U (100%) Duke Dumont Featuring A*M*E & MNEK Adam Dyment & Tommy Forrest, producers; Adam Dyment & Tommy Forrest, mixers
Sweet Nothing Calvin Harris Featuring Florence Welch Calvin Harris, producer; Calvin Harris, mixer Track from: 18 Months Atmosphere Kaskade Finn Bjarnson & Ryan Raddon, producers; Ryan Raddon, mixer
This Is What It Feels Like Armin Van Buuren Featuring Trevor Guthrie Armin Van Buuren & Benno De Goeij, producers; Armin Van Buuren & Benno De Goeij, mixers
Clarity Zedd Featuring Foxes Zedd, producer; Zedd, mixer Track from: Clarity

Best Dance/Electronica Album

Random Access – Memories Daft Punk
Settle – Disclosure
18 Months – Calvin Harris
Atmosphere – Kaskade
A Color Map Of The Sun – Pretty Lights

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Viva Duets – Tony Bennett & Various Artists
To Be Loved – Michael Bublé
The Standards – Gloria Estefan
Cee Lo’s Magic Moment – Cee Lo Green
Now – Dionne Warwick

Best Rock Performance

Always Alright – Alabama Shakes – Track from: Silver Linings Playbook Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
The Stars (Are Out Tonight) – David Bowie – Track from: The Next Day
Radioactive – Imagine Dragons – Track from: Night Visions
Kashmir – Led Zeppelin – Track from: Celebration Day
My God Is The Sun – Queens Of The Stone Age – Track from: …Like Clockwork
I’m Shakin’ – Jack White –

Best Metal Performance

T.N.T. – Anthrax – Track from: Anthems
God Is Dead? – Black Sabbath – Track from: 13
The Enemy Inside – Dream Theater – Track from: Dream Theater
In Due Time – Killswitch Engage – Track from: Disarm The Descent
Room 24 – Volbeat Featuring King Diamond – Track from: Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies

Best Rock Song

Ain’t Messin ‘Round – Gary Clark Jr., songwriter (Gary Clark Jr.)
Cut Me Some Slack – Dave Grohl, Paul McCartney, Krist Novoselic & Pat Smear, songwriters (Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear) – Track from: Sound City – Real To Reel
Doom And Gloom – Mick Jagger & Keith Richards, songwriters (The Rolling Stones)
God Is Dead? – Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi & Ozzy Osbourne, songwriters (Black Sabbath)- Track from: 13
Panic Station – Matthew Bellamy, songwriter (Muse)

Best Rock Album

13 – Black Sabbath
The Next Day – David Bowie
Mechanical Bull – Kings Of Leon
Celebration Day – Led Zeppelin
…Like Clockwork – Queens Of The Stone Age
Psychedelic Pill – Neil Young With Crazy Horse

Best Alternative Music Album

The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You – Neko Case
Trouble Will Find Me – The National
Hesitation Marks – Nine Inch Nails
Lonerism – Tame Impala
Modern Vampires Of The City – Vampire Weekend

Best R&B Performance

Love And War – Tamar Braxton
Best Of Me – Anthony Hamilton – Track from: Back To Love
Nakamarra – Hiatus Kaiyote Featuring Q-Tip – Track from: Tawk Tomahawk
How Many Drinks? – Miguel Featuring Kendrick Lamar
Something – Snarky Puppy With Lalah Hathaway – Track from: Family Dinner Volume One

Best Traditional R&B Performance

Please Come Home – Gary Clark Jr. – Track from: Blak And Blu
Get It Right – Fantasia – Track from: Side Effects Of You
Quiet Fire – Maysa
Hey Laura – Gregory Porter – Track from: Liquid Spirit
Yesterday – Ryan Shaw – Track from: Real Love

Best R&B Song

Best Of Me – Anthony Hamilton & Jairus Mozee, songwriters (Anthony Hamilton) – Track from: Back To Love
Love And War – Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper, Jr., LaShawn Daniels & Makeba Riddick, songwriters (Tamar Braxton)
Only One – PJ Morton, songwriter (PJ Morton Featuring Stevie Wonder)
Pusher Love Girl – James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley & Justin Timberlake, songwriters (Justin Timberlake) – Track from: The 20/20 Experience – The Complete Experience
Without Me – Fantasia Barrino, Missy Elliott, Al Sherrod Lambert, Harmony Samuels & Kyle Stewart, songwriters (Fantasia Featuring Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliot) – Track from: Side Effects Of You

Best Urban Contemporary Album

Love And War – Tamar Braxton
Side Effects Of You – Fantasia
One: In The Chamber – Salaam Remi
Unapologetic – Rihanna
New York: A Love Story – Mack Wilds

Best R&B Album

R&B Divas – Faith Evans
Girl On Fire – Alicia Keys
Love In The Future – John Legend
Better – Chrisette Michele
Three Kings – TGT

Best Rap Performance

Started From The Bottom – Drake
Berzerk – Eminem
Tom Ford – Jay Z – Track from: Magna Carta…Holy Grail
Swimming Pools (Drank) – Kendrick Lamar – Track from: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City
Thrift Shop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz – Track from: The Heist

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Power Trip – J. Cole Featuring Miguel – Track from: Born Sinner
Part II (On The Run) – Jay Z Featuring Beyoncé – Track from: Magna Carta…Holy Grail
Holy Grail – Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake – Track from: Magna Carta…Holy Grail
Now Or Never – Kendrick Lamar Featuring Mary J. Blige – Track from: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City
Remember You – Wiz Khalifa Featuring The Weeknd – Track from: O.N.I.F.C.

Best Rap Song

F***in’ Problems – Tauheed Epps, Aubrey Graham, Kendrick Lamar, Rakim Mayers & Noah Shebib, songwriters (ASAP Rocky Featuring Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar) – Track from: Long.Live.ASAP
Holy Grail – Shawn Carter, Terius Nash, J. Harmon, Timothy Mosley, Justin Timberlake & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl & Krist Novoselic, songwriters) (Jay Z Featuring Justin Timberlake) – Track from: Magna Carta…Holy Grail
New Slaves – Christopher Breaux, Ben Bronfman, Mike Dean, Louis Johnson, Malik Jones, Elon Rutberg, Sakiya Sandifer, Che Smith, Kanye West & Cydell Young, songwriters (Anna Adamis & Gabor Presser, songwriters) (Kanye West) – Track from: Yeezus
Started From The Bottom – W. Coleman, Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Bruno Sanfilippo, songwriter) (Drake)
Thrift Shop – Ben Haggerty & Ryan Lewis, songwriters (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz) – Track from: The Heist

Best Rap Album

Nothing Was The Same – Drake
Magna Carta…Holy Grail – Jay Z
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City – Kendrick Lamar
The Heist – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Yeezus – Kanye West

Best Country Solo Performance

I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice – Track from: Hard 2 Love
I Want Crazy – Hunter Hayes – Track from: Hunter Hayes (Encore)
Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker – Track from: True Believers
Mine Would Be You – Blake Shelton – Track from: Based On A True Story

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

From This Valley – The Civil Wars – Track from: The Civil Wars
Don’t Rush – Kelly Clarkson Featuring Vince Gill – Track from: Greatest Hits: Chapter One
Your Side Of The Bed – Little Big Town – Track from: Tornado
Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift & Keith Urban
You Can’t Make Old Friends – Kenny Rogers With Dolly Parton

Best Country Song

Begin Again – Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)
I Drive Your Truck – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington & Jimmy Yeary, songwriters (Lee Brice) – Track from: Hard 2 Love
Mama’s Broken Heart – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally & Kacey Musgraves, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
Merry Go ‘Round – Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves & Josh Osborne, songwriters (Kacey Musgraves) – Track from: Same Trailer Different Park
Mine Would Be You – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington & Deric Ruttan, songwriters (Blake Shelton) – Track from: Based On A True Story

Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance

Break Every Chain [Live] – Tasha Cobbs – Track from: Grace [Live]
Hurricane – Natalie Grant
Lord, I Need You – Matt Maher – Track from: All The People Said Amen (Live)
Overcomer – Mandisa – Track from: Overcomer
If He Did It Before… Same God [Live] – Tye Tribbett – Track from: Greater Than [Live]

Best Gospel Song

Have Your Way – Calvin Frazier & Deitrick Haddon, songwriters (Deitrick Haddon)
If He Did It Before… Same God [Live] – Tye Tribbett, songwriter (Tye Tribbett) –
Track from: Greater Than [Live]
If I Believe – Wirlie Morris, Michael Paran, Charlie Wilson & Mahin Wilson, songwriters (Charlie Wilson) – Track from: Love, Charlie
A Little More Jesus – Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell & Warryn Campbell, songwriters (Erica Campbell)
Still – Percy Bady, songwriter (Percy Bady Featuring Lowell Pye) – Track from: Kingdom Inspirations

Best Contemporary Christian Music Song

Hurricane – Matt Bronleewe, Natalie Grant & Cindy Morgan, songwriters (Natalie Grant)
Love Take Me Over – Steven Curtis Chapman, songwriter (Steven Curtis Chapman) – Track from: The Glorious Unfolding
Overcomer – David Garcia, Ben Glover & Christopher Stevens, songwriters (Mandisa) – Track from: Overcomer
Speak Life – Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore & Ryan Stevenson, songwriters (Tobymac) – Track from: Eye On It
Whom Shall I Fear (God Of Angel Armies) – Ed Cash, Scott Cash & Chris Tomlin, songwriters (Chris Tomlin) – Track from: Burning Lights

Best Gospel Album

Grace [Live] – Tasha Cobbs
Best For Last: 20 Year Celebration Vol. 1 [Live] – Donald Lawrence
Best Days Yet – Bishop Paul S. Morton
God Chaser [Live] – William Murphy
Greater Than [Live] – Tye Tribbett

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

We Won’t Be Shaken – Building 429
All The People Said Amen [Live] – Matt Maher
Overcomer – Mandisa
Your Grace Finds Me (Live) – Matt Redman
Burning Lights – Chris Tomlin

Yak Roundup: Did Adele Really Give It to Chris Brown? And More TV News…

adele-chris-brown-1360693397All over the interwebs, sites mislead and misguide readers all over based on one simple picture. What many may have you to believe is that Adele wasn’t having Chris Brown not giving Frank Ocean a standing O after losing to him. And her solution? Yell at him, likely based on anger from the Rihanna fiasco. But what many aren’t sharing is the following photo (seen below) where Adele and Chris Brown are happily posing for a photo op. There really is no proof whether Adele and Brown shared some beef or if they had just a casual Grammy encounter.

In more music news, the country music Hall of Fame has plans to bring a Blown Away Tour exhibit to Music City, celebrating Grammy winner Carrie Underwood’s latest successful tour. The exhibit opens early June and will be open until mid-November and will feature clothing, set pieces, mics and other special memorabilia from Underwood’s latest tour.

adele-chris-brown-2-1360693428In TV news, Showtime has released a trailer teasing The Big C: Hereafter, which returns in April. The show’s final mini-season promises to be an emotional roller coaster. Also from Showtime, a full length trailer of Ray Donovan, which premieres after Dexter on June 30, has been released. And finally on the premium TV front, Veep will premiere its second season on April 14 at 10/9c.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=k3UnuknAx2Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s3Qf1CJRvss

Yak Roundup: Grammys Request Clothes, TV Friends Reunion, iTune’s 25 Billion Sales

tvyakAs but a supplement to our reports and features here at YakkityYaks, we’d like to (re)introduce our Yak Roundup where we will sift through some of the days news and round them up in our stable. On today’s agenda, the Grammys send an odd email to those attending Sunday’s big show, plus a Friends reunion coming to a TV near you and just who is iTunes 25,000,000,000th song sold?

Problematic Thongs at the Grammys |

Late Wednesday afternoon, the Grammys and CBS sent an email to those that will be in attendance Sunday night when the Grammys air LIVE from the Staples Center in LA. What was the subject of this email, you ask? Well, it was your typical “Subject: 55th GRAMMYS: Standard And Practice Wardrobe Advisory.” The email speaks for itself, so we’ve procured a copy for your reading pleasure.

CBS Program Practices advises that all talent appearing on camera please adhere to Network policy concerning wardrobe.

Please be sure that buttocks and female breasts are adequately covered. Thong type costumes are problematic. Please avoid exposing bare fleshy under curves of the buttocks and buttock crack. Bare sides or under curvature of the breasts is also problematic. Please avoid sheer see-through clothing that could possibly expose female breast nipples. Please be sure the genital region is adequately covered so that there is no visible “puffy” bare skin exposure. Please avoid commercial identification of actual brand name products on T-shirts. Foreign language on wardrobe will need to be cleared. OBSCENITY OR PARTIALLY SEEN OBSCENITY ON WARDROBE IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR BROADCAST. This as well, pertains to audience members that appear on camera. Finally, The Network requests that any organized cause visibly spelled out on talent’s wardrobe be avoided. This would include lapel pins or any other form of accessory.

Go On - Season 1

Monica & Chandler Bing Reunited |

NBC announced a Friends reunion that will take place on their freshman comedy “Go On.” Matthew Perry and Courtney Cox will reunite on screen when Cox guest stars as a potential love interest for Perry’s character on the NBC sitcom. The guest stint will likely air on an episode in April and will be introduced to Ryan King through Anne (Julie White). Here’s hoping this guest stint turns into a potential recurring character!

iTunes Hits 25 Billionth Song Sold |

Wednesday afternoon marked the record number sale for iTunes. Since it’s inception, the platform has now sold more than 25 billion songs. What song made the cut for this bit of trivia you’ll want to use to impress your friends? “Monkey Drums (Goskel Vancin Remix)” by Chase Buch. The company released a statement on Wednesday saying that Phillip Lupke of Germany made the record purchase. As a reward, he will receive a 10,000 Euros iTunes gift card, equivalent to about $13,500. The store launched just under 10 years ago and has just hit the milestone before it’s 10th Anniversary this April.

In reality news, MTV has renewed “Buckwild” for a second season, while E! announced plans to bring you a reality series centered around boy band sensation The Wanted. The series will be produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions. Big Brother Canada announced late Wednesday that the show will air its first LIVE eviction on Night 2 after the houseguests move into the house. Details on how you can be a part of the audience are below.

Contact bbcaudience@insighttv.com with the subject line: Big Brother Canada Tickets for [Date Requested]. Be sure to include name, email address and phone number, as well the number of tickets you’d like to request (be within reason). Tickets will go fast, so send your emails now! You must be in the Toronto area or provide your own travel.

2013 Grammys: And The Nominees Are…

Tonight is the latest and greatest Nominations LIVE concert where LL Cool J (and Taylor Swift, this year) takes the stage to introduce a variety of artists to sing their hearts out for your entertainment while celebrity personalities take the stage to announce the nominees for some of the biggest categories for the upcoming Grammys.

As we previously announced, the Grammys Nominations Concert LIVE will take place outside of LA for the first time this year – at the Bridgestone Arena in Music City! This is in an obvious effort to appeal to the growing country music fan base. Performing on stage tonight – CMA New Artist of the Year Hunter Hayes, Maroon 5, The Who, fun., Ne-Yo, and Luke Bryan. The Band Perry and Dierks Bentley will be performing a special tribute to Johnny Cash, as well. The magic happens tonight at 10pm ET/9 CT live from Nashville.

The 55th Annual Grammy Awards airs Feb 10 at 8/7c on CBS! You can check the full list of nominees at Grammys.com.

Check back here for a full list of Grammy nominees after they’re announced tonight!

Announced on the telecast:

Pop/Vocal Album:
“Stronger,” Kelly Clarkson
“Ceremonials,” Florence + The Machine
“Some Nights,” fun.
“Overexposed,” Maroon 5
“The Truth About Love,” P!nk

Record of the Year:
“Lonely Boys,” The Black Keys
“Stronger,” Kelly Clarkson
“We Are Young,” fun. ft Janelle Monae
“Somebody That I Used To Know,” Gotye
“Thinkin’ Bout You,” Frank Ocean
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift

Best New Artist:
Alabama Shakes
fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean

Country Solo Performance:
“Home,” Dierks Bentley
“Springsteen,” Eric Church
“Cost Of Livin’,” Ronnie Dunn
“Wanted,” Hunter Hayes
“Over,” Blake Shelton
“Blown Away,” Carrie Underwood

Album of the Year
“El Camino,” The Black Keys
“Some Nights,” fun.
“Babel,” Mumford & Sons
“Channel Orange,” Frank Ocean
“Blunderbuss,” Jack White

Other major categories:

Song Of The Year
“The A Team,” Ed Sheeran
“Adorn,” Miguel
“Call Me Maybe,” Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen & Josh Ramsay, songwriters (Carly Rae Jepsen)
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You), Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi, songwriters (Kelly
Clarkson)
“We Are Young,” fun.

Best Pop Solo Performance
“Set Fire To The Rain” [Live], Adele
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Kelly Clarkson
“Call Me Maybe,” Carly Rae Jepsen
“Wide Awake,” Katy Perry
“Where Have You Been,” Rihanna

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Shake It Out,” Florence & The Machine
“We Are Young,” Fun. Featuring Janelle Monáe
“Somebody That I Used To Know,” Gotye Featuring Kimbra
“Sexy And I Know It,” LMFAO
“Payphone,” Maroon 5 & Wiz Khalifa

Best Dance/Electronica Album
“Wonderland,” Steve Aoki
“Don’t Think,” The Chemical Brothers
“> Album Title Goes Here <," Deadmau5 "Fire & Ice," Kaskade "Bangarang," Skrillex Best Rock Performance
“Hold On,” Alabama Shakes
“Lonely Boy,” The Black Keys
“Charlie Brown,” Coldplay
“I Will Wait,” Mumford & Sons
“We Take Care Of Our Own,” Bruce Springsteen

Best Rock Song
“Freedom At 21,” Jack White, songwriter (Jack White)
“I Will Wait,” Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall & Marcus Mumford, songwriters (Mumford &
Sons)
“Lonely Boy,” Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton & Patrick Carney, songwriters (The Black Keys)
“Madness,” Matthew Bellamy, songwriter (Muse)
“We Take Care Of Our Own,” Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)

Best Rock Album
“El Camino,” The Black Keys
“Mylo Xyloto,” Coldplay
“The 2nd Law,” Muse
“Wrecking Ball,” Bruce Springsteen
“Blunderbuss,” Jack White

Best Alternative Music Album
“The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do,” Fiona Apple
“Biophilia,” Björk
“Making Mirrors,” Gotye
“Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.,” M83
“Bad As Me,” Tom Waits

Best R&B Performance
“Thank You,” Estelle
“Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.),” Robert Glasper Experiment Featuring Ledisi
“I Want You,” Luke James
“Adorn,” Miguel
“Climax,” Usher

Best R&B Song
“Adorn,” Miguel Pimentel, songwriter (Miguel)
“Beautiful Surprise,” Tamia Hill, Claude Kelly & Salaam Remi, songwriters (Tamia)
“Heart Attack,” Benjamin Levin, Rico Love & Tremaine Neverson, songwriters (Trey Songz)
“Pray For Me,” Antonio Dixon, Kenny Edmonds, Anthony Hamilton & Patrick “jQue” Smith,
songwriters (Anthony Hamilton)
“Refill,” Darhyl “DJ” Camper, Elle Varner & Andrew “Pop” Wansel, songwriters (Elle Varner)

Best R&B Album
“Black Radio, Robert Glasper Experiment
“Back To Love,” Anthony Hamilton
“Write Me Back,” R. Kelly
“Beautiful Surprise,” Tamia
“Open Invitation,” Tyrese

Best Rap Performance
“HYFR (Hell Ya F***ing Right),” Drake Featuring Lil’ Wayne
“N****s In Paris,” Jay-Z & Kanye West
“Daughters,” Nas
“Mercy,” Kanye West Featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
“I Do,” Young Jeezy Featuring Jay-Z & André 3000

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
“Wild Ones,” Flo Rida Featuring Sia
“No Church In The Wild,” Jay-Z & Kanye West Featuring Frank Ocean & The-Dream
“Tonight (Best You Ever Had),” John Legend Featuring Ludacris
“Cherry Wine,” Nas Featuring Amy Winehouse
“Talk That Talk,” Rihanna Featuring Jay-Z

Best Rap Song
“Daughters,” Nasir Jones & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Patrick Adams, Gary DeCarlo, Dale
Frashuer & Paul Leka, songwriters) (Nas)
“Lotus Flower Bomb,” Olubowale Akintimehin, S. Joseph Dew, Jerrin Howard, Walker Johnson & Miguel
Jontel Pimentel, songwriters (Wale Featuring Miguel)
“Mercy,” Sean Anderson, Tauheed Epps, Stephan Taft, James Thomas, Terrence Thornton &
Kanye West, songwriters (Denzie Beagle, Winston Riley & Reggie Williams, songwriters) (Kanye West Featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz)
“The Motto,” Dwayne Carter, Aubrey Graham & Tyler Williams, songwriters (Drake Featuring Lil’
Wayne)
“N****s In Paris,” Shawn Carter, Mike Dean, Chauncey Hollis & Kanye West, songwriters (W.A.
Donaldson, songwriter) (Jay-Z & Kanye West)
“Young, Wild & Free,” Calvin Broadus, Chris Brody Brown, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Peter Hernandez
& Cameron Thomaz, songwriters (T. Bluechel, M. Borrow, T. Griffin, K. Jackson, N. Lee & M. Newman, songwriters) (Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Featuring Bruno Mars)

Best Rap Album
“Take Care,” Drake
“Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1,” Lupe Fiasco
“Life Is Good,” Nas
“Undun,” The Roots
“God Forgives, I Don’t,” Rick Ross
“Based On A T.R.U. Story,” 2 Chainz

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” Eli Young Band
“Pontoon,” Little Big Town
“Safe & Sound,” Taylor Swift & The Civil Wars
“On The Outskirts Of Town,” The Time Jumpers
“I Just Come Here For The Music,” Don Williams Featuring Alison Krauss

Best Country Song
“Blown Away,” Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
“Cost Of Livin’,” Phillip Coleman & Ronnie Dunn, songwriters (Ronnie Dunn)
“Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” Will Hoge & Eric Paslay, songwriters (Eli Young Band)
“So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore,” Jay Knowles & Adam Wright, songwriters (Alan Jackson)
“Springsteen, Eric Church,” Jeff Hyde & Ryan Tyndell, songwriters (Eric Church)

Best Country Album
“Uncaged,” Zac Brown Band
“Hunter Hayes,” Hunter Hayes
“Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran,” Jamey Johnson
“Four The Record,” Miranda Lambert
“The Time Jumpers,” The Time Jumpers