Multi-platinum-selling rapper Ja Rule is set to go to prison, but he is leaving fans with an album on the way.

US rap star Ja Rule today agreed to go to prison for two years in a gun case, becoming the second platinum-selling rapper set to do time after arrests in the aftermath of a star-studded hip-hop concert in July 2007.

Eight artists received five Grammy nominations each today, with Bruce Springsteen, Norah Jones, Avril Lavigne and Eminem dominating the major categories, including record, song and album of the year.