Hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar leads Grammy nominations

California hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar leads the Grammy nominations, scoring 11 nods including album of the year for To Pimp a Butterfly.

The 28-year-old from Compton, the heart of the Los Angeles rap scene, left country-pop superstar Taylor Swift trailing with seven nominations.

Canadian rapper The Weeknd also got seven nods after a break-out year for his album Beauty Behind the Madness and best-selling single ‘Can’t Feel My Face’.

Lamar, who won two Grammys last year in the specialist rap category, broke into the mainstream this year with nominations for the top prize, album of the year. He will also compete for song of the year for ‘Alright’, best pop duo with Swift for her hit ‘Bad Blood’, and music video for the same single.

To Pimp a Butterfly, his third studio album, has topped the US and UK music charts with its fusion of funk, jazz, and poetry.

Lamar will compete in the best album category with Swift’s 1989, The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness, rock band Alabama Shakes’ Sand & Color, and country singer Chris Stapleton’s Traveller.

Seven-time Grammy winner Swift’s other nods include record, song of the year and best pop solo performance for ‘Blank Space’.

Erotic drama Fifty Shades of Grey powered The Weeknd to three of his Grammy nods for single ‘Earned It’, which featured on the movie’s soundtrack. The Canadian, 25, has never won a Grammy in his five year-long career.

Competing for best new artist are singer Meghan Trainor, country artist Sam Hunt, British singer-songwriter James Bay, American Tori Kelly, and Australian Courtney Barnett.

The Grammy Awards will be handed out to the winners at a ceremony in Los Angeles on February 15.