Macklemore Leads AMAs - Pollstar News

Newcomers Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are the top contenders at the 2013 American Music Awards.

Photo: Brad Barket / Invision / AP

ABC's "Good Morning America," New York City

The rap duo is up for six awards, including artist, new artist and single of the year for “Thrift Shop.”

The “Same Love” performers will battle heavyweights Justin Timberlake, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Bruno Mars for artist of the year at the Nov. 24 fan-voted awards show in Los Angeles. Miley Cyrus and Imagine Dragons will perform.

Will.i.am and Kelly Clarkson announced the nominees Thursday at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York.

Photo: Tony Nelson

Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minn.

Swift and Timberlake have five nominations each, while Robin Thicke, Rihanna and Florida Georgia Line have four each. Mars and Imagine Dragons are up for three awards each.

New artist nominees are Florida Georgia Line, Ariana Grande, Imagine Dragons, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Phillip Phillips.

Nominees for single of the year – a new award – include Thicke’s ubiquitous “Blurred Lines” and Florida Georgia Line and Nelly’s “Cruise.”

Swift, Rihanna and Pink are nominated for favorite female artist-pop/rock. Timberlake, Thicke and Mars are up for favorite male artist-pop/rock.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ other nominations include favorite band, duo or group-pop/rock, favorite artist-rap/hip-hop and favorite album-rap/hip-hop for their platinum-selling debut, The Heist. They will compete with Jay Z in both rap categories.

Photo: AP Photo / Lee Griffith

Perth Arena, Perth, Australia

The AMAs will air live on ABC from the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.