Winehouse Grabs Top Grammy Nods
Troubled British singer Amy Winehouse has something to look forward to in 2008: the Grammy Awards.
The soulful R&B/pop singer nabbed a total of 6 nominations in the top categories record of the year, song of the year - for "Rehab" - and album of the year for "Back To Black." She was also nominated for best new artist and best female pop vocal performance.
Kanye West led the list of nominees with 8 nods including album of the year.
West, known for throwing tantrums at awards shows when he doesn't win, has had a triumphant yet tragic year. He knocked 50 Cent off his throne when "Graduation" had the best-selling debut of the year with nearly one million copies sold, but his mother died suddenly in November at age 58 after plastic surgery.
In addition to West and Winehouse, the album of the year category also featured the Foo Fighters, for "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace," Vince Gill's four-disc set "These Days," - and, surprisingly, Herbie Hancock's tribute to Joni Mitchell, "River: The Joni Letters."Photo Essay: Showtime At The Grammys
Hancock, on hand to announce the nominees, said he was shocked.
"It's not a category you normally find a jazz artist," said Hancock, who said he had awakened that morning at 5:30 a.m. to chant Buddhist prayers for a half-hour. "I don't chant to win awards ... But it helps my life. And I've never been nominated for album of the year."
Other record of year candidates included Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," the Foo Fighter's "The Pretender," Rihanna's "Umbrella" and "What Goes Around Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake.
Besides Winehouse's "Rehab," other song of the year candidates included Corrine Bailey Rae's sweet-sounding "Like A Star," Carrie Underwood's revenge anthem "Before He Cheats," The Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah" and "Umbrella."
Story: 2008 Grammy Nominee List
Winehouse was competing against Feist, Paramour, Taylor Swift and Ledesi in the best new artist category.
Fergie, Akon, Swift, George Lopez, Vince Gill, Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters and Jimmy Jam were also on hand to announce the awards at a press conference held in Los Angeles Thursday.
Lopez, who earned a nomination for best comedy album, couldn't resist the opportunity to get in a few yuks during the presentation.
Right off the bat he made a joke about the immigration issue, saying it took him a while to get to the venue because "they're trying to take away my driver's license."
And while announcing the Grammy nominations for best female/pop vocal performance he joked "how great would it be if Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam were on this. She'd be at Target like 'what, what happened?'"
After announcing that Winehouse had been nominated for best female/pop vocal performance, he alluded to her drug use saying "can somebody wake her up this afternoon around six and tell her?"
Winehouse, an admitted marijuana smoker, has been dogged by reports of further drug use amid a flurry of canceled concert dates. Just this week she was spotted walking outside of her London home wearing a bra and jeans, with no shoes, looking distressed.
"She makes Lindsay Lohan look cool," Lopez added.
The 50th Annual Grammy Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 10 on CBS.