GRAMMYS 2018

The 2018 Grammy nominations were announced Tuesday night Bangladesh time, with Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar scoring big and a number of snubs that left the music industry and fans scratching their heads.

Andra Day revealed the Big four categories -- best new artiste, record of the year, song of the year, and album of the year -- live on CBS This Morning on Tuesday morning US time, and shortly after, the Recording Academy announced the nominees in all categories.

Jay-Z's eight nods include Record of the Year (“The Story of O.J.”), Album of the Year (“4:44”) and Song of the Year (“4:44”), as well as Best Rap Performance, Best Rap/Sung Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Album and Producer and Best Music Video. Kendrick Lamar received seven nominations, for his album “DAMN” and the song “Humble”. Bruno Mars continued the hip-hop/R&B domination with six nods. 

Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran – who many expected to be a heavyweight at this year's nominations with his comeback album “÷” – received only two nominations, both in the pop categories. Taylor Swift, who released two singles from her latest album “Reputation” within the eligibility period of October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017, neither received a nomination; Taylor, however, got two nominations as songwriter.

With a total of 84 categories in nominations in 29 fields, The Grammys is one of the most elaborate award programmes, with surprises and snubs each year creating debate among fans and experts. Two of the biggest of the year are Childish Gambino's (the stage name for “Atlanta” actor Donald Glover) “Awaken, My Love!” album raking in five nominations – the biggest for an indie since Arcade Fire's “Suburbs” in 2011. Meanwhile, One Direction alum Harry Styles' debut self-titled album which received largely positive reviews for its fusing of contemporary and vintage rock/pop sounds – as well as formidable popularity with songs such as “Sign of the Times” and “Two Ghosts” – was completely shut out from the nods, as was his former bandmate Zayn Malik with his third album “Mind of Mine”. Other major snubs include Lady Gaga's album “Joanne” only receiving two nominations, and Calvin Harris' highly-acclaimed “Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1” getting him the sole nomination for Producer of the Year.

Childish Gambino's “Redbone”, the viral sensation “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber, “The Story Of O.J.” by Jay-Z, Lamar's “Humble” and “24K Magic” by Bruno Mars will battle it out for the Record Of The Year at the ceremony held at the Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 28.

The Album of the Year category sees Gambino, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar and Bruno joined by Lorde, for her album “Melodrama” – showing this year's skew in the major categories towards hip-hop; the entire country music genre was left out of this year's Big 4 categories.

The last of the Big 4 – the Best New Artist category, saw nominations for Alessia Cara, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels and SZA.