Ashanti, Eminem, Nelly Lead the AMAs

By Mark Armstrong

Tuesday November 19, 2002 01:55 PM EST

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Yahoo Buzz
• E-mail

She's been "Foolish," "Always on Time" and "Happy" -- and she's been virtually unavoidable on the radio this year. Now Ashanti will get a chance to take home some trophies, as the R&B songbird picked up a field-best five nominations Tuesday for the 30th American Music Awards.

Thanks to her multi-platinum self-titled debut, the whispery diva is up for favorite album and new artist in the pop/rock category, as well as favorite female artist, album and new artist in hip-hop/R&B.

Dick Clark's annual music awards show also singled out rapper-turned-actor Eminem, who returned with this year's "The Eminem Show," and hip-hop star Nelly -- back on top with his disc, "Nellyville" -- as both artists scored four nominations apiece. They will compete for favorite male artist in both the pop/rock and hip-hop/R&B categories, as well as for favorite album.

Other big nominees include country boys Alan Jackson and Toby Keith, crooner Enrique Iglesias, and divas Celine Dion and Pink -- just a handful of the nine artists who picked up two nominations apiece Tuesday.

And yes, FOX's "American Idol" has notched its first major music award nominee: "Idol" champ Kelly Clarkson is up favorite new pop/rock artist.

Presiding over it all will be America's favorite heavy-metal family, the Osbournes. Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly will jump over to ABC to host the event, airing live Jan. 13 from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Here's a rundown of the AMA nominees:

POP/ROCK
Male Artist: Eminem, Enrique Iglesias, Nelly
Female Artist: Sheryl Crow, Celine Dion, Pink
Band, Duo or Group: Creed, Linkin Park, Nickelback
Album: "Ashanti," Ashanti; "The Eminem Show," Eminem; "Nellyville," Nelly; "M!ssundaztood," Pink
New Artist: Ashanti, Kelly Clarkson, Puddle of Mudd

HIP-HOP/R&B
Male Artist: Eminem, Ja Rule, Nelly
Female Artist: Ashanti, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez
Band, Duo or Group: B2K, Nappy Roots, Outkast
Album: "Ashanti," Ashanti; "The Eminem Show," Eminem; "Word of Mouf," Ludacris; "Nellyville, Nelly
New Artist: Ashanti, B2K, Nappy Roots

COUNTRY
Male Artist: Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw
Female Artist: Martina McBride, Jo Dee Messina, Lee Ann Womack
Band, Duo or Group: Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Lonestar
Album: "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems," Kenny Chesney; "Home," Dixie Chicks; "Drive," Alan Jackson; "Unleashed," Toby Keith
New Artist: Kellie Coffey, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Tommy Shane Steiner

ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Artist: Vanessa Carlton, Celine Dion, Five for Fighting

LATIN
Artist: Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira

ALTERNATIVE
Artist: Creed, Linkin Park, System of a Down

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Artist: Avalon, Jars of Clay, P.O.D.

SOUNDTRACK
"Lilo & Stitch," "The Scorpion King," "Spider-Man"