American Music Awards: Did Lady A Really Outscore Biebs? Eminem Bigger Than Gaga?

Country sensation and Eminem score a leading five nods for American Music Awards; Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Ke$ha also up

It had to happen someday. Er…right?

The unlikely duo of Lady Antebellum and Eminem has finally found something in common—namely, nabbing a leading five nominations apiece for the 2010 American Music Awards.

Yep, this year's show's gonna be a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll rap.

But while both topped the nomination score board, only Eminem made the cut for the most coveted award of the night, 2010 Artist of the Year. He'll vie against teen dream turned nail polish connoisseur Justin Bieber, Ke$ha, Katy Perry (who, if the rumor mill is to be believed may be fresh off a honeymoon come show night) and (who else?) Lady Gaga, all of whom have the added bonus of being multiple nominees for the big show.

The Biebs stands alone at four nominations (most of which pit him against Em, incidentally—talk about an unfair fight), while Perry, Ke$ha, Usher and B.o.B. scored a next-best three apiece.

Also making the cut on this year's roster of talent: Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, the Black Eyed Peas, Brad Paisley, Drake, Chris Brown, Rihanna (here's hoping the seat arrangers don't try and get controversial), Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, and, inevitably, Twilight, as the Eclipse soundtrack also sparkled its way into the nominations.

The ceremony will be broadcast live Nov. 21 on ABC. Here's the complete list of nominees:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Justin Bieber
Eminem
Ke$ha
Lady Gaga
Katy Perry

POP/ ROCK

Favorite Male Artist
Justin Bieber
Eminem
Usher

Favorite Female Artist
Ke$ha
Lady Gaga
Katy Perry

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
The Black Eyed Peas
Lady Antebellum
Train

Favorite Album
Justin Bieber, My World 2.0
Eminem, Recovery
Katy Perry, Teenage Dream

COUNTRY

Favorite Male Artist
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Brad Paisley

Favorite Female Artist
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album
Jason Aldean, Wide Open
Lady Antebellum, Need You Now
Carrie Underwood, Play On

RAP/HIP-HOP

Favorite Male Artist
B.o.B.
Drake
Eminem

Favorite Album
B.o.B., B.o.B. Presents
Drake, Thank Me Later
Eminem, Recovery     

SOUL/R&B

Favorite Male Artist
Chris Brown
Trey Songz
Usher

Favorite Female Artist
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Sade

Favorite Album
Alicia Keys, The Element of Freedom
Sade, Soldier of Love
Usher, Raymond v. Raymond

SOUNDTRACKS

Favorite Album
AC/DC, Iron Man 2
Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC

Favorite Artist
Muse
Phoenix
Vampire Weekend

ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Favorite Artist
Michael Bublé
Lady Antebellum
Train

LATIN MUSIC

Favorite Artist
Daddy Yankee
Enrique Iglesias
Shakira

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

Favorite Artist
Casting Crowns
MercyMe
TobyMac

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Nominations
B.o.B
Justin Bieber
Taio Cruz
Jason Derülo
Ke$ha
Lady Antebellum
Travie McCoy
Mike Posner