Beyoncé and Taylor Swift lead Grammy nominations

Pop-R&B superstar Beyoncé and country-pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift dominate the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards with 10 and eight nominations, respectively.

Beyoncé, who already has seven Grammy awards under her belt, is nominated for “Album of the Year” for “I Am… Sasha Fierce,” her third studio album that spurred the hits “If I Were A Boy,” “Halo,” “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” "Diva" and “Sweet Dreams.”

The Ryan Tedder-penned track “Halo” also gets the nod for “Record of the Year” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance,” while the infectious and much-imitated dance number “Single Ladies” earned Beyoncé the “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance,” “Song of the Year” and “Best R&B Song” nominations.

Blessings keep pouring in for Taylor Swift this year as she holds the flag of country music with eight nominations that sent 19-year old music sweetheart “freaking out and jumping up and down.”

In an interview, an astonished Taylor said she “honestly never would have predicted this, eight nominations - I'm ecstatic, and blown away and so, so thankful.”

She goes against the “Single Ladies” diva in the “Album of the Year” category for the record-breaking album “Fearless” (which is also nominated for “Best Country Album”) and “Song of the Year,” “Record of the Year” and “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” categories for “You Belong With Me.”

Also nominated is Taylor’s interrupter Kanye West, who, along with Black Eyed Peas, grabbed six nominations each.

The “Gold Digger” singer, quoting The Beatles song, “[got] by with a little help from [his] friends” Rihanna, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Kid Cudi & Common and Young Jeezy for his nominations for “Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group,” “Best Rap/Sung Collaboration” and “Best Rap Song.”

Black Eyed Peas made it to the list with their “Boom Boom Pow” power, dancing their way with two nominations for album and pop vocal album of the year for “The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies).”

The foursome, who is set to embark on an ambitious 100-city world tour on 2010, is also nominated for “Best Dance Recording” for their second chart-topper under “E.N.D.,” “I Gotta Feeling.”

Taking a hiatus from the music industry must’ve served R&B artist Maxwell… well. After eight years, he released his fourth studio album, “BLACKsummers’night,” which debuted at the top spot in the Billboard charts, and now, has earned a spot in the nominees for “Best R&B album.”

His song, “Pretty Wings,” is nominated for “Best R&B Song,” “Best Male R&B Vocal Performance” and “Song of the Year,” while “Love You” landed him a “Best Male Pop Vocal Performance” nod.

Pop sensation Lady Gaga will not have any “Bad Romance” with the Grammy’s, as she has scored five nominations, tying with French DJ David Guetta and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z.

“Sitting in my dressing room, puttin on my wig and lipstick, wondering how I got here. I am so grateful. 6 grammy nominations little monsters.

“Thank u for always believing in me, you are the kingdom of my music. I will always have faith in you my friends. You are the fame. Xxgagaloo,” tweeted Gaga, who competes with Beyonce and Taylor for song and record of the year awards with her number one electro-pop hit, “Poker Face.”

Her commercially and critically acclaimed album, “The Fame,” is also in the running to claim the “Album of the Year” and “Best Dance Recording” trophies.

Garnering four nods each are Kings of Leon, John Newton, RedOne, T-Pain, Bruce Springsteen, Colbie Caillat, Keith Urban, and Michael Giacchino.

Kings of Leon go head to head with the big nominees with “Use Somebody” roaring for record and song of the year. Likewise with Dave Matthews Band with “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King” for “Album of the Year.”

In the running for the “Best New Artist” recognition, meanwhile, are Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups and The Ting Tings.

The nominees, which were determined by The Recording Academy, were announced on Dec. 2 at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California. The program, titled “"The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night,” was aired as a one-hour live primetime special by CBS.

Winners will be named on Jan. 31, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.