BEYONCE, JUSTIN, 50 CENT
TOP LIST OF GRAMMY HOPEFULS

Two solo artists from successful acts could be at the top of Grammy’s honor roll.

Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake are generating most of the pre-nomination buzz to grab multiple nods when the noms are announced their earliest ever on Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The Destiny Child star’s Dangerously In Love (Columbia/CRG) and the NSYNC member’s Justified (Jive) satisfy the Grammy criteria of being commercial successes, producing multiple hits and receiving generally favorable reviews. Beyonce’s "Crazy In Love" and either Justin’s "Rock Your Body" or "Cry Me a River" seem like definites in Song or Record of the Year categories.

OutKast’s smash Speakerboxxx/The Love Below seems like a certain Album of the Year contender, given its recommendation by Democratic Presidential candidate Wesley Clark.

While those three are termed by our own in-house expert Lenny Beer as locks, he feels the other two nominations will come from either Best New Artist nominee 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’, Luther Vandross’ Dance With My Father or Michael McDonald’s fast-rising Motown. Trakin leans towards Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief, The White Stripes’ Elephant, the 8 Mile soundtrack or the late Warren Zevon’s final album, The Wind.

Sentimental favorite Johnny Cash’s Rick Rubin-produced American IV: The Man Comes Around isn’t eligible, because a vinyl version of the record came out before last year’s deadline, but the late legend’s cover of Trent Reznor’s "Hurt" looks like a sure thing in the Record of the Year category. Other possibilities for Record or Song of the Year: R. Kelly’s "Ignition," Coldplay’s "Clocks," Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s "Picture," 50 Cent’s "In Da Club," Eminem’s "Lose Yourself," Vandross’ "Dance With My Father," OutKast’s "Hey Ya," Evanescence’s "Bring Me to Life," Jason Mraz’s "The Remedy" and Lisa-Marie Presley’s "Lights Out." Thanks to [email protected] for pointing out that Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" is another strong candidate.

The Best New Artist category should be dominated by 50 Cent, who had the year’s best-selling album, but other possible nominees include Evanescence, Mraz, Sean Paul, Hilary Duff, Lisa-Marie Presley and A Simple Plan.

In the Rock categories, Audioslave, Evanescence, Linkin Park, Jane's Addiction and White Stripes would seem to be the leading contenders, while in the rap area, 50 Cent and Eminem could well face off, with "In Da Club" going against "Lose Yourself."

In the Best Rock Performance by a duo or group category, look for The White Stripes’ "Seven Nation Army" and Evanesence’s "Bring Me to Life" to duke it out with Audioslave’s "Like a Stone," Linkin Park’s "Somewhere I Belong," Jane's Addiction's "Just Because," Metallica’s "St. Anger," Godsmack’s "Straight Out of Line," and Trapt’s "Headstrong."

As always, direct all complaints and comments to the management.