Wed, December 10, 2008
Coldplay, Adele, Leona Lewis, Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant and MIA will all compete with each other for the major honour at the awards show on February 8.
Chris Martin's band, Radiohead, and Plant will also face each other in the album of the year category while Welsh singer Duffy, who shot to number one with her catchy single, Mercy, and fellow British soul singer Adele were among those nominated for best new artist.
In all, Coldplay received an impressive seven nominations but rapper Lil' Wayne - with eight nods, including album of the year for Tha Carter III - is expected to be the big winner on the night.
The top nominees were revealed live during a prime-time concert special which replaced the Recording Academy's traditional morning roll call of nominee names at a press conference ahead of the awards show.
Last year's show drew 17.2 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Grammys and continuing the trend of shrinking awards-show audiences.
