Grammy awards Beyonce, Pharrell, Sam Smith lead in nods

Associated Press

NEW YORK

The year’s brightest newcomer, Sam Smith; the most-nominated female in Grammy history, Beyonce; and mega-producer Pharrell led the Grammy Award nominations announced Friday, with six nominations apiece.

Smith’s “In the Lonely Hour,” Beyonce’s surprise self-titled release and Pharrell’s “G I R L” will compete for the coveted album of the year, along with Beck’s “Morning Phase” and Ed Sheeran’s “X,” the most- streamed album on Spotify this year.

The Recording Academy announced its nominees for the 57th annual show throughout the day Friday.

Pharrell earned a whopping three nominations for the top prize thanks to his production work on Beyonce and Sheeran’s albums, which means the hit-maker only has a chance to walk away with four awards when the Grammys are presented Feb. 8.

Smith is up for key honors such as best new artist and song and record of the year for his hit “Stay With Me.” Beyonce, surprisingly, was not up for song or record of the year. Her nominations include best urban contemporary album as well as R&B song and R&B performance for “Drunk in Love” featuring Jay Z.

For song and record of the year, Smith’s “Stay With Me” will battle Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off,” Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” and Sia’s “Chandelier.”

Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” is nominated for record of the year, while Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” is up for song of the year, a songwriter’s award.

Azalea, the Australian newcomer, earned four nominations, including best rap album for “The New Classic,” best pop duo/group performance for “Fancy” with Charli XCX and best new artist, pitting her and Smith against pop-rock trio HAIM, English band Bastille and country singer Brandy Clark.

Beck, Jack White, Usher, Drake, Jay Z, composer Gordon Goodwin and mastering engineer Tom Coyne also earned four nominations each. Eric Church and Miranda Lambert, both nominated in all four country categories, will compete for best country album, along with Clark, Dierks Bentley and Lee Ann Womack.

Sia, who also earned four nominations, had a breakthrough this year with “Chandelier” after writing songs for other singers, from Rihanna to Beyonce to Katy Perry.