Rihanna & Nicki Minaj Lead ‘American Music Awards’ Nominees

The nominations for this year's 40th American Music Awards are in and Rihanna and Nicki Minaj are the leading nominees, with four nods each. Drake, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Direction and Usher earned three bids apiece. Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, fun., Gotye, J. Cole, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan, and Pitbull are each double nominees. Drake, Bieber, Maroon 5, Katy Perry and Rihanna are also in the running for artist of the year. Nominees are selected based on broadcast airplay and online popularity. Fans can vote online for their favorites in all 20 categories. The American Music Awards will be presented Nov. 18 at Nokia Theatre and broadcast live on ABC.

Check the complete list of nominees:

• — 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.
• — Male artist, pop/rock: Justin Bieber, Flo Rida, Pitbull, Usher.
• — Female artist, pop/rock: Kelly Clarkson, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Rihanna.
• — Band, duo or group, pop/rock: fun., Maroon 5, One Direction, The Wanted.
• — Album, pop/rock: Justin Bieber, "Believe"; Maroon 5, "Overexposed"; Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded"; One Direction, "Up All Night."
• — Male artist, country: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church.
• — Female artist, country: Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood.
• — Band, duo or group, country: Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts.
• — Album, country: Luke Bryan, "Tailgates & Tanlines"; Lionel Richie, "Tuskegee"; Carrie Underwood, "Blown Away."
• — Artist, rap/hip-hop: Drake, Nicki Minaj, Tyga.
• — Album, rap/hip-hop: J. Cole, "Cole World: The Sideline Story"; Drake, "Take Care"; Nicki Minaj, "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded."
• — Male artist, soul/R&B: Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Usher.
• — Female artist, soul/R&B: Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna.
• — Album, soul/R&B: Chris Brown, "Fortune"; Rihanna, "Talk That Talk"; Usher, "Looking 4 Myself."
• — Artist, alternative rock: The Black Keys, Gotye, Linkin Park.
• — Artist, adult contemporary: Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Train.
• — Artist, Latin: Don Omar, Pitbull, Shakira.
• — Artist, contemporary inspirational: Jeremy Camp, Newsboys, tobyMac.
• — Artist, electronic dance music: David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Skrillex.

[Associated Press]