The pop duo the Ting Tings received their first Grammy award nomination this morning, but were one of only a few British acts to receive nominations in a field dominated by US singers and rock bands.
The Ting Tings – singer Katie White and drummer Jules De Martino – were nominated for best new artist, leading the handful of British nominees which include singer Adele, Eric Clapton, the Pet Shop Boys and Steve Winwood.
The nomination caps a successful start in the pop business for the Ting Tings, who won best album at the Ivor Novello Awards in London in May and whose debut album We Started Nothing has sold well on both sides of the Atlantic.
But having dominated at the 2009 Grammy award ceremony earlier this year – with Robert Plant, Coldplay and Adele picking up multiple awards – British acts fared badly in the latest nominations.
The Grammys, which will be held in Los Angeles in January, look set to be a diva showdown, with the American stars Beyonc?, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift, a country singer, battling each other in many of the major categories.
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Beyonc?, the former Destiny’s Child star, garnered ten nominations, including album of the year for I Am ... Sasha Fierce, song of the year for Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It), and record of the year for the ballad Halo.
Swift wasn’t far behind, receiving eight nominations, including album of the year for her multi-platinum album Fearless and song and record of the year for You Belong With Me.
Lady Gaga, the eccentric electro-pop star, had five nominations including best album for her debut CD, The Fame, while her Poker Face single got nominations for record and song of the year.
Other nominees for album of the year include Black Eyed Peas for The E.N.D. and the Dave Matthews Band’s Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King.
Black Eyed Peas were also nominated for record of the year for I Gotta Feeling while US rockers Kings of Leon were nominated for the single Use Somebody.
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The Kings of Leon hit was also nominated for song of the year, as was Maxwell’s comeback hit, Pretty Wings.
In the Best Rock Album section, U2 and Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood were joined by Green Day, the Dave Matthews Band and the veteran Aussie rockers AC/DC.
The best group or duo performance with vocals category drew an eclectic mix of nominees, including Black Eyed Peas – who gained six nominations overall –- Bon Jovi, The Fray, MGMT and Daryl Hall & John Oates.
Adele’s nomination, for best female pop vocal performance – for the song Hometown Glory – comes after she won the same category – for Chasing Pavements – as well as best new artist at this year’s awards.
The Pet Shop Boys were nominated for best electronic/dance album for Yes, but face tough competition from Lady Gaga.