People all over the world anxiously awaited the announcement of the 2013 Grammy nominations, anticipating which artists would compete head-to-head to win the main awards of the night, the “Big 4.”
The nominations were announced on December 5, in Nashville, Tennessee. Artists and spectators gathered together to celebrate the presentation of the nominees for the most coveted awards in music. The “Big 4,” “Record of the Year,” “Album of the Year,” “Best New Artist,” and “Song of the Year,” were some of the most highly anticipated award nominations.

The nominees for “Record of the Year” include Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” “Lonely Boy” by the Black Keys, as well as “Somebody that I Used to Know” by Gotye featuring Kimbra. Also in the category is Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “We are Young” by fun. featuring Janelle Monáe, and lastly Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You.”
2002 American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson has already won six Grammys and is now in the running for three more. Her album, Stronger, is nominated for “Best Pop Vocal Album,” and her performance of “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” is in the running for ” Best Pop Solo Performance” and for “Song of the Year.”
“I want Kelly Clarkson to win because she is an amazing singer and the songs on her album Stronger are fun and upbeat.  She definitely deserves to win.” Convent of the Sacred Heart sophomore Alexa Granser said.
Another past Grammy winner Taylor Swift has been nominated for three awards. Her new hit album Red succeeded in its sales, with chart topping hits such as “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Throughout her career Taylor has been nominated 12 times and has taken home six Grammys for her albums Speak Now and Fearless.
In addition to the previous Grammy winners, a group of new  artists has also stepped into the spotlight. Performers like fun. and Frank Ocean have offered a new style of music across the world. Both artists are nominated for “Record of the Year,” “Best New Artist,” and “Album of the Year.”
fun. made their debut with their hit single “We are Young” featuring Janelle Monáe. They have released two albums, Aim and Ignite in 2008, and Some Nights, released in 2012. According to The New York Times article “That ‘70s Style, Reinvented,” their style is a merge of “hip-hop beats and electronic effects with his theatrical pop-rock.”
Their album Some Nights contains hit songs “Some Nights” and “Carry On” as well as nine other hit tracks, showing they are a top competitor for this year’s awards. Some Nights is nominated for “Album of the Year,” with the hit “We Are Young” up for “Record of the Year” and “Song of the Year,” bringing the band’s total nominations to six.
Frank Ocean is the rival to fun., competing within the same categories. Ocean is also in the race for six Grammys, three of which are in the “Big 4.” His single, “Thinkin Bout You” is nominated for “Record of the Year.” His album, Channel Orange, which includes “Thinkin Bout You” is in the running for “Album of the Year.” Ocean is also nominated for “Best New Artist.”
“I want Frank Ocean to win best album because he has different music that is really new but really good,” sophomore Alana Normile said.
Other nominees in the “Best New Artist” category include American folk and country singers Hunter Hayes, the Lumineers and Alabama Shakes. All three performers are up for their first nominations this year.
According to their official website, www.thelumineers.com, The Lumineers “walk that line with an unerring gift of timeless melodies and soul-stirring lyrics.” Their hit “Ho Hey” is currently number five on www.billboard.com’s “Hot 100.” The Lumineers are the favorite for sophomore Meg Gerli.
“I hope the Lumineers win the award,” Meg said. “I absolutely love them!”
Carly Rae Jepsen, yet another fresh face in the Grammy community, was also nominated this year for her hit single “Call Me Maybe.” The song falls into the category of “Song of the Year,” a group which includes hits from Kelly Clarkson, fun. and Miguel Pimentel.
Jepsen’s single took the charts by surprise, hypnotizing audiences with its irresistible beat. Her fans are ecstatic about her first nomination.
“I saw her sing live, and it was a thrilling experience. I would be happy if she won the Grammy,” freshman Colleen deConcini said.
Among the various new singers to the Billboard community, Ed Sheeran also received his first Grammy nomination this year for his hit “The A Team,” which is ranked 23 on www.billboard.com‘s   “Hot 100.” It was first released in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2011, and quickly became a huge success.
Junior Corrine Race has high hopes for Sheeran.
“Ed better win,” Corrine said. “The “A-Team” is so great because it has a lot of meaning.”
In upcoming February, fans all around the world, much like Corrine, will unite in front of their televisions or in Staples Center to cheer on their favorite artists, hoping that they will pick up a few golden gramophones.
 
– Sarah Jackmauh, Staff Writer
 
http://www.grammy.com/
http://www.grammy.com/news/exploring-the-general-field-nominees-0
http://www.cbs.com/shows/grammys/nominees?ttag=mktg_sem_gra_nom_pg_1114_gg