Kendrick Lamar leads the 2019 Grammy Awards nominations

Brandi Carlile, Cardi B, H.E.R., Post Malone, Janelle Monáe and Kacey Musgraves joined the hip-hop stars in the album of the year category.

The Grammys is the first where the academy extended its top four categories from five nominees to eight. The rapper/R&B artist also received an Album of the Year nomination for "Beerbongs & Bentleys" and Best Pop Solo Performance for his hit "Better Now".

"I could not have done it without Andre Morris, who always knew even when I didn't; Tarrus Riley who's always there cheering me on and pulling me up if I slow down, Gramps Morgan who believed in my latest independent project "Reggae Forever" album, Tads Records - both Tads Senior and Junior., all the musicians, vocalist, Jessie Addleman, Khambrel Mcpherson, and advice from Clive Hunt; when I thought my project was finished he sent me back to the board lol!"

Six songs are up for both record and song of the year: Lamar and SZA's All the Stars; Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's Shallow, from the A Star Is Born soundtrack; Childish Gambino's This Is America; Drake's God's Plan; Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey's The Middle; and Carlile's The Joke.

Cardi B had a monumental year, but "Invasion of Privacy" isn't "Album of the Year" material.

He didn't run away with the crown, though, as Drake was right behind him with seven nominations of his own.

The Carters did get nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album, Best R&B Performance and Best Music Video.

The Academy also expanded its membership and set up a diversity task force after an uproar over the low number of female nominees, winners and performers on the televised ceremony in January.

"In any given year there could be more folks from one area or one gender or one genre or one ethnicity that are making recordings and being successful with them than in another year".

Beck's newest music has been mostly just fine.

- Best traditional pop vocal album: "Love Is Here to Stay", Tony Bennett and Diana Krall; "My Way", Willie Nelson; "Nat "King" Cole & Me", Gregory Porter; "Standards (Deluxe)", Seal; "The Music.The Mem'ries.The Magic!", Barbra Streisand.

This year, the rapper received just one nomination for Producer of the Year in the non-classical category.

- Best dance/electronic album: "Singularity", Jon Hopkins; "Woman Worldwide", Justice; "Treehouse", Sofi Tukker; "Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides", SOPHIE; "Lune Rouge", TOKiMONSTA. But three more nods - including and especially "Best Rock Album" - is deeply confusing, to say the least.

Ten-time Grammy victor Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello were among the biggest snubs in top categories that were dominated by hip-hop and R&B.

Some acts scored their first nominations ever, including Florida Georgia Line, whose megahit "Meant to Be" with Rexha is up best country duo/group performance.

Several of Drake's associates also landed Grammy recognition.

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