2012 American Music Awards: Nicki Minaj, Rihanna Lead Nominees With Four Nods

Nicki Minaj will be slugging it out again big time--and it won't be against Mariah Carey!

Big Barbz and Rihanna dominated all nominees for this year's American Music Awards with four nods apiece.

The noms were announced Tuesday by Christina Aguilera, who will also be performing at the show on Nov. 18. (Two for one!)

Following closely with three nods each are Justin Bieber, Drake, Maroon 5, Usher and One Direction.

Look back at the five biggest jaw-droppers from last year's AMAs

This year, there's no shortage of drama among the artists who'll be battling for prizes.

Rihanna will be competing with not one but two exes: Drake, for Artist of the Year; and Chris Brown, for Favorite Soul/R&B Album.

In the heartthrob department, Biebs goes up against boy band du jour One Direction for Favorite Pop/Rock Album.

Lady Gaga pulls a Justin Bieber, vomits onstage in Barcelona

Even kiss-happy, scandal-plagued Jason Aldean scored himself some love with a nod for Favorite Male Country Artist.

For the sixth year, winners will be determined by online voting, which kicks off today. This year's awards, which will celebrate the show's 40th anniversary, will be handed out on at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre and air live on ABC.

Ryan Seacrest sets Bieber's mom up with Chris Harrison

Here's the full list of nominees:

Artist of the Year: Justin Bieber/Drake/Maroon 5/Katy Perry/Rihanna

New Artist of the Year: J. Cole/fun./Gotye/Carly Rae Jepsen/One Direction

Favorite Male Artist--Pop/Rock: Justin Bieber/Flo Rida/Pitbull/Usher

Favorite Female Artist--Pop/Rock: Kelly Clarkson/Nicki Minaj/Katy Perry/Rihanna

Favorite Band, Duo or Group--Pop/Rock: fun./Maroon 5/One Direction/The Wanted

Favorite Album--Pop/Rock: Justin Bieber, Believe/Maroon 5, Overexposed/Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded/One Direction, Up All Night

Favorite Male Artist--Country: Jason Aldean/Luke Bryan/Eric Church

Favorite Female Artist--Country: Miranda Lambert/Taylor Swift/Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group--Country: Zac Brown Band/Lady Antebellum/Rascal Flatts

Favorite Album--Country: Luke Bryan, Tailgates &Tanlines/Lionel Richie, Tuskegee/Carrie Underwood, Blown Away

Favorite Artist--Rap/Hip-Hop: Drake/Nicki Minaj/Tyga

Favorite Album--Rap/Hip-Hop: J. Cole, Cole World: The Sideline Story/Drake, Take Care/Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

Favorite Male Artist--Soul/R&B: Chris Brown/Trey Songz/Usher

Favorite Female Artist--Soul/R&B: Beyonce/Mary J. Blige/Rihanna

Favorite Album--Soul/R&B: Chris Brown, Fortune/Rihanna, Talk That Talk/Usher/Looking 4 Myself

Favorite Artist--Alternative Rock: The Black Keys/Gotye/Linkin Park

Favorite Artist--Adult Contemporary: Adele/Kelly Clarkson/Train

Favorite Artist--Latin: Don Omar/Pitbull/Shakira

Favorite Artist--Contemporary Inspirational: Jeremy Camp/Newsboys/tobyMac

Favorite Artist--Electronic Dance Music: David Guetta/Calvin Harris/Skrillex

See who glammed up last year's AMAs

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