The nominations for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards have been announced at a ceremony in LA yesterday that also featured a celebratory concert with performances by John Mayer, Christina Aguilera and more. As for the noms, there were quite a few surprises — like who didn’t get nominated (*cough* Mariah Carey *cough*) — that should make the award show a very interesting one when it airs next February:

Louisiana rapper Lil Wayne garnered the most Grammy nominations, receiving eight, and British alternative rock band Coldplay grabbed seven as the Recording Academy announced this year’s nominees. Lil Wayne and Coldplay were both nominated for the prestigious album of the year award for the 51st annual Grammy Awards. Nominations were announced during a star-studded, prime-time concert special Wednesday night. Rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West and R&B crooner Ne-Yo received six nominations each. Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and newcomer Jazmine Sullivan received five each. Nominees in six categories were announced during the show that aired on CBS. Mayer, Mariah Carey, the Foo Fighters and Taylor Swift performed for the event. Swift, perhaps surprisingly, didn’t receive a single nomination. Though her albums — her 2006 debut CD and her recently released “Fearless” — weren’t eligible for the competition, she released several hit singles during the Grammy consideration window, which ran from October 2007 to September. And despite a huge hit single — “I Kissed a Girl” — Katy Perry failed to be nominated for best new artist. The singer did earn a nomination for best female pop vocal performance. “I feel very grateful to be recognized by an institution of such iconic musical history. I can’t believe it, but this year I won’t be watching the Grammys in my jammies,” she said in a statement. Newcomer Duffy, who had a big hit with “Mercy,” was nominated for three Grammys, including best new artist. She may have to get used to more attention. In October, she told CNN, “I still feel kind of underground in America, which is quite nice in a way though — to be able to sit around the corner at [a Los Angeles] cafe and have my breakfast.” The album of the year nominees are a diverse group. Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” continues in the British band’s tradition of making big statements; on the other hand, on “Raising Sand,” old hands Plant and Krauss, working with producer T Bone Burnett, created a haunting, minimalist record that hearkens back to old folk and blues recordings. Longtime critics’ darlings Radiohead hit No. 1 with “In Rainbows,” which was equally distinctive for its initial release as a pay-your-own-price download. (The album was released on CD in January.) Lil Wayne had a commercial breakthrough with “Tha Carter III,” the year’s best-selling album, which featured the No. 1 tune “Lollipop.” Hip-hop artist Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman” deliberately opted for a brighter sound, he said after the ceremony, according to The Associated Press. “When I was putting it together, I was trying to do something that everybody could get into, as opposed to just my pop and R&B core group,” Ne-Yo said, according to the AP. “I was trying to do something that the world could enjoy, and I think that the Grammy people paid attention to that.” Nominees for record of the year are Adele’s “Chasing Pavements”; Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”; Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love”; M.I.A’s “Paper Planes”; and Plant and Krauss’ “Please Read the Letter.” Song of the year, a songwriters’ award, had five nominees: “American Boy,” popularized by Estelle featuring Kanye West; “Chasing Pavements,” whose hit version was performed by Adele; “I’m Yours,” written and performed by Jason Mraz; “Love Song,” written and performed by Sara Bareilles; and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” written by the band. In some ways, it’s an odd time for the industry to celebrate. CD sales have plunged in the last few years, and music downloads, which continue to rise, have yet to fill the gap. With concert ticket prices often well above $50 a pop and wildly fluctuating gasoline prices, musicians are feeling the pinch.

I’m pretty surprised that neither Mariah Carey nor Taylor Swift got any nominations … these are the types of artists that the Grammy Award folks usually love to lavish trophies upon. I wonder if Mimi knew that she was going to get the shaft from the Grammys before she agreed to appear on the Nomination Special that aired on TV last night. I bet she’s pissed. After the jump, check out a few pics of John Mayer and Xtina Aguilera doing their thing on stage at the Grammy Awards Nomination Special that aired on CBS last night …

I’m very excited that Kylie Minogue (Best Electronic/Dance Album), M.I.A. (Record of the Year), Boyz II Men (Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals — seriously!!), Jennifer Hudson (Best R&B Album), Snoop Dogg (Best Rap Solo Performance) and The Raconteurs (Best Rock Album) all got noms. I’ll be pullin’ for these folks to win awards on Grammy night next year. It should also be mentioned that Lady Gaga managed to garner a Grammy nom as well (Best Dance Recording) … and still, Mariah Carey got nothing. That’s crazy, y’all. Click HERE to see a full list of all the nominees for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards. Did your faves get noms? Do you think Mimi got robbed?

[Source, Source]