Michael Jackson received five posthumous American Music Awards nominations yesterday (Tues., Oct. 13), including the coveted artist of the year.
Unlike the industry-voted Grammy Awards, American Music Award nominations are based on sales and radio data from Nielsen SoundScan, with winners determined by online voting from fans.
In the 10 days following Jackson’s death on June 25, his 2003 greatest hits package “Number Ones” surged to the top of the charts selling more than 440,000 copies, according to Nielsen. The collection could end up as 2009’s top-selling album.
Jackson will face Lady Gaga, Eminem, Kings of Leon and country star Taylor Swift in the artist of the year category, while “Number Ones” scored a nod for favorite pop/rock album, where it will compete against Gaga’s “The Fame” and Swift’s “Fearless.”
The King of Pop was also nominated for favorite pop/rock male artist, favorite soul/R&B artist and favorite soul/R&B album.
Swift leads all AMA nominations with six, while Eminem falls in behind Jackson with four nods.
Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas and T.I. each earned three nominations; while Jay-Z and gospel duo Mary Mary each collected two. Receiving one nod apiece were Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole, Jamie Foxx, Maxwell, Day 26 and country singer Darius Rucker.
The American Music Awards will air live for the East Coast from Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on ABC at 8 p.m. Nov. 22.
Information from Eurweb.com contributed to this report.