LOS ANGELES - Hip-hop's granddaddy of grandstanding, Kanye West, has eight more reasons to boast, nabbing a leading eight Grammy nominations Thursday while troubled Brit singer Amy Winehouse has six for her soul-drenched disc.
The kudos for Winehouse come amid ongoing tabloid tales of addiction and wild behaviour, with the 24-year-old's defiant hit "Rehab'' nabbing multiple nods including song of the year and record of the year.
Winehouse goes up against West in the album of the year category, while also facing Canada's leading contender, Leslie Feist, in the best new artist category.
Feist racked up four nominations in total, including best pop vocal album for "The Reminder'' and two nods for her breakout track "1 2 3 4,'' featured in an IPod Nano TV commercial earlier this year.
Canada named Feist best new artist two years ago at the Juno Awards, Canada's Grammy equivalent.
Other top Grammy nominees include the Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, T-Pain and Timbaland, who each garnered five nods.
Heavyweights Rihanna, Paul McCartney, Michael Buble and Nelly Furtado also earned recognition.
Furtado, who lost last year in the best pop collaboration category with her hit "Promiscuous,'' has two nominations this year for performances on singles "Say It Right'' and "Give It to Me.''
"The Grammy Awards are like the senior prom of the music business, only they happen every single year,'' Furtado said in a statement.
"Who wouldn't want to be invited to the prom? I was prom queen in high school, so I am thrilled and honoured.''
In addition to Winehouse's autobiographical breakout, other record of year candidates include Beyonce's "Irreplaceable,'' the Foo Fighters' "The Pretender,'' Rihanna's "Umbrella'' and "What Goes Around Comes Around'' by Justin Timberlake.
Winehouse's "Back to Black'' is joined in the album of the year category by the Foo Fighters' "Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace,'' as well as Vince Gill's four-disc set "These Days,'' Herbie Hancock's tribute to Joni Mitchell, "River: The Joni Letters,'' and West's "Graduation.''
Other song of the year candidates include Corinne 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.''
Feist's big year
It's proven to be a banner year for Calgary-raised Feist, whose multiple nods follow a flood of international praise for her eclectic album "The Reminder'' and soaring single sales for "1 2 3 4.''
In the new artist category, she's up against Paramore, Taylor Swift and Ledesi, in addition to Winehouse.
Feist faces fellow Canuck Furtado in the best female pop vocal category.
Canada's other hopes lie with jazz crooner Michael Buble, who earned two nominations for best male pop vocal and best traditional pop vocal album, and music veterans Joni Mitchell, Rush and polka king Walter Ostanek.
Mitchell's nod comes after a decade-long absence from the music industry, drawing attention for her pop instrumental performance on "One Week Last Summer,'' while legendary power trio Rush is nominated for best rock instrumental.
Montreal's Arcade Fire is up for best alternative music album while Alberta's Nickelback will compete in the category of best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals.
Nickelback released a joint statement saying they were thrilled with the nomination for their song "If Everyone Cared.''
"This song means a lot to the band,'' said the band, who donated digital sales of the song to charity. "It carries a strong message that we feel very passionate about and we are happy that it has been recognized.''
Perennial Grammy favourite Ostanek of St. Catharines, Ont., got his 21st nod for his disc "Duelling Polkas,'' a collaboration with Brian Sklar of Prince Albert, Sask., and Calgary's Western Senators.
Ostanek is up for best polka album against fellow Canuck John Gora of Burlington, Ont., and his band, Gorale.
Emerson Drive of Grande Prairie, Alta., is in the running for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals while Winnipeg's Loreena McKennitt is up for best contemporary world music album.
Legendary film composer Howard Shore of Toronto gets yet another nod for best score soundtrack album for motion picture, television or other visual media for his work on "The Departed.''
Brandon, Man., violinist James Ehnes is up for best instrumental soloist performance (with orchestra), along with Brit conductor Bramwell Tovey of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
The 50th Grammy Awards will be held Feb. 10 in Los Angeles.
