Kanye, Adele lead Grammy nominations – …Femi Kuti snags 3rd Grammy nomination

West was nominated for song of the year for his all-star anthem “All of the Lights,” which featured everyone from Rihanna to Elton John. But even though the album from which it came, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” heralded an epic album by critics when it was released last year, it was not featured in […]

West was nominated for song of the year for his all-star anthem “All of the Lights,” which featured everyone from Rihanna to Elton John. But even though the album from which it came, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” heralded an epic album by critics when it was released last year, it was not featured in the best album category (so far, no obligatory West rant has surfaced in response).

Then Nigerian musician and respected Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti picked up his third ever nomination in the World Music Category for his ‘Africa for Africa’ album. In 2003, Femi, eldest son of late Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti picked up his first ever Grammy Award nomination but lost out to  Panamanian salsa singer Rubén Blades. He similarly lost in 2010 when he was nominated in the same category. US banjo player Bela Fleck walked away with the award.

Among the evening’s biggest eye-openers were the artists not mentioned in certain categories. Taylor Swift, who won best album in 2010 for “Fearless” and was considered to be a key favorite for her multiplatinum “Speak Now,” only got her three nominations in the country fields. West’s joint album with Jay-Z, “Watch the Throne,” was also ignored for best album. Mars, who like Adele was nominated in all the top three categories — record, album and song of the year — was ecstatic about his night.

Mars, who was part of the CBS special, along with Rihanna, Lady Gaga, The Band Perry and others, also got key nominations last year. But he said of awards: “I’m trying to get used to it. It’s hard for me, because Adele is incredible. Kanye West is incredible. All these people are just incredible and they all offer something different, so the fact that this album got recognized and is being categorized alongside these acts, that’s the craziest part, because I’m a fan of all of this music.”

For record of the year, besides Bon Iver, Adele, Mars and Mumford & Sons, Katy Perry’s inspirational anthem “Firework” got a nod. The category looked virtually the same for song of the year, with “Firework” being replaced by West’s “All of the Lights.”

Unlike the past two years, which saw Swift and fellow country act Lady Antebellum soar in the general categories, the only country act that got a mainstream nomination was the country sibling act The Band Perry. Best known for their poignant ballad “If I Die Young,” they got a nomination for best new artist. Their competition also includes Bon Iver, Jay-Z rap protege J. Cole, Skrillex and rapper-singer Minaj.

The 54th Grammys will be held Feb. 12 in Los Angeles. The ceremony will mark the first since the academy shaved its categories from 109 to 78 this year, amid some protest. In addition, men and women now compete together in vocal categories for pop, R&B and country, instead of having separate categories for each sex.