It’s that time of year when the nominees for the upcoming Grammy awards are announced, and I hate to be critical, but really … can someone please enlighten me on the CURRENT qualifications for getting nominated?! Having a “hit” or two on the radio? I mean really, T-Pain? Soulja Boy? Akon? I guess when you’re given lemons, you make lemonade. The state of music is really in a pitfall if the people I mentioned above qualify for a Grammy. To me, it just makes being nominated not feel so “special” anymore. But I’m glad my boy Kanye got his 8 nods though! Check out who else has the opportunity to take one home after the cut.

RECORD OF THE YEAR
“Irreplaceable” - Beyonce
“The Pretender” - Foo Fighters
“Umbrella” - Rihanna f/ Jay-Z
“What Goes Around / Comes Around” Justin Timberlake
“Rehab” - Amy Winehouse

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace” - Foo Fighters
“These Days” - Vince Gill
“River: The Joni Letters” - Herbie Hancock
“Graduation” - Kanye West
“Back to Black” - Amy Winehouse

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Before He Cheats” - Carrie Underwood
“Hey There Delilah” - Tom Higgenson
“Like A Star” - Corrine Bailey Rae
“Rehab” - Amy Winehouse
“Umbrella” - Rihanna f/ Jay-Z

BEST NEW ARTIST
Feist
Ledisi
Paramore
Taylor Swift
Amy Winehouse

BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
“Candyman” - Christina Aguilera
“1234″ - Fesit
“Big Girls Don’t Cry” - Fergie
“Say It Right” - Nelly Furtado
“Rehab” - Amy Winehouse

BEST MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
“Everything” - Michael Buble
“Belief” - John Mayer
“Dance Tonight” - Paul McCartney
“Amazing” - Seal
“What Goes Around / Comes Around” - Justin Timberlake

BEST FEMALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
“Just Fine” - Mary J. Blige
“When I See You” - Fantasia
“No One” - Alicia Keys
“If I Have My Way” - Chrisette Michele
“Hate On Me” - Jill Scott

BEST MALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
“Woman” - Raheem DeVaughn
“B.U.D.D.Y.” - Musiq Soulchild
“Because of You” - Ne-Yo
“Future Baby Mama” - Prince
“Please Don’t Go” - Tank

BEST RAP SOLO PERFORMANCE
“The People” - Common
“I Get Money” - 50 Cent
“Show Me What You Got” - Jay-Z
“Big Things Poppin’” - T.I.
“Stronger” - Kanye West

BEST RAP SONG
“Ayo Technology” - 50 Cent & Justin Timberlake
“Big Things Poppin’” - T.I.
“Can’t Tell Me Nothing” - Kanye West
“Crank That” - Soulja Boy
“Good Life” - Kanye West

Of course this isn’t the complete list. I didn’t realize how many damn categories there were when I originally started typing this! Lol. So if you want to check out the complete list, make sure you visit GRAMMY.COM.