- Title: USA: Kanye West and Amy Winehouse lead the Grammy race
- Date: 13th December 2007
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 6, 2007) (REUTERS) (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) (SOUNDBITE) (English) JIMMY JAM SAYING: For album of the year, the nominees are Foo Fighters, 'Echos, Silence, Patience and Grace.' Vince Gill for 'These Days.' Watch it now. Where was I at here? Ok, Herbie Hancock for 'River: The Joni Letters.' Course he hugs Fergie, not me, but that's fine. Kanye West for 'Graduation.' Slow it down back there. Did you guys hear that last one, Kanye West for 'Graduation.' And Amy WInehouse for 'Back in Black.'"
- Embargoed: 28th December 2007 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA5FI487N8QZZDU7Y5XHXR3Q8Z8
- Story Text: Rap star Kanye West dominated the Grammy nominations for the third time in four years on Wednesday (December 6), while troubled British pop singer Amy Winehouse led a strong field of female contenders for the music industry's top honors.
West, 30, received eight nominations in six categories, including the coveted album of the year for "Graduation," one of the biggest sellers of 2007.
He already has six Grammys, after leading the races for awards presented in 2005 and 2006 with a total of 18 nominations. But in both those instances, he failed to win the contest for best album, much to his frustration.
Winehouse was a surprisingly strong contender with six nominations, including album, song and record of the year, as well as best new artist. The 24-year-old London native won commercial and critical acclaim for her second album, "Back to Black," a deeply personal release that mixed autobiographical lyrics with melodies harking back to the golden age of soul.
But her promising career has been overshadowed by drug and alcohol problems, and a chaotic life with her new husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, who is in a British jail awaiting trial on charges of assaulting a pub owner last year.
"I think Amy Winehouse's record is amazing, I think everyone should leave her alone. I think she's incredible," said Dave Grohl, singer-guitarist for the rock band, the Foo Fighters, who was on hand to announce the nominations. Others present for the announcements were Akon, Fergie, Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Jam, Linkin Park and Taylor Swift.
Winehouse is one of four women vying for the title of best new artist, alongside Canadian singer-songwriter Feist, country singer-songwriter Swift, and R&B singer Ledisi. Also nominated were the female-fronted rock band Paramore.
It was the first nomination for 17-year-old Swift, whose self-titled debut album recently peaked at No. 8 on the U.S. pop charts.
The announcement of Swift's nomination proved the most lively part of the announcement, with each of the presenters going out of their way to hug the young singer.
Five acts received five nominations each -- Foo Fighters, rapper Jay-Z, hip-hop producer Timbaland, pop singer Justin Timberlake, and R&B singer T-Pain.
The Foo Fighters will compete for album of the year with their latest release "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace." The other nominees were country singer Vince Gill's "These Days," and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters."
For Grohl, who already has five Grammys, said the latest nominations were "a big deal ... If you get jaded and unexcited about actually getting to do any of this this kind of thing, then we have a problem."
Winehouse's autobiographical single "Rehab" will vie for record of the year with Foo Fighters' "The Pretender," Timberlake's "What Goes Around ... Comes Around," and tracks from two R&B singers -- Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" and Rihanna's Umbrella,"
featuring Jay-Z.
"Rehab" and "Umbrella" were nominated for song of the year -- a songwriter's award -- along with country star Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats," pop band Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah," and singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae's "Like a Star."
Winners will be announced during ceremonies in Los Angeles on Feb. 10.
Winners will be announced during ceremonies in Los Angeles on Feb. 10. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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