Kanye West

Nominated in the category were "Some Call It Aloha ... Don't Tell" by The Brothers Cazimero, "Amy & Willie Live" by Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom & Willie K, "Cool Elevation" by Ho'okena; "Ke'alaokamaile" by Keali'i Reichel, and the multi-artist compilation "Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2."

"We are absolutely stoked about this," said Ho'okena vocalist Manu Boyd. "It's been a long time in the making for Hawaiian music to be recognized in this national, and really worldwide forum."

"We are very proud to help represent the great creativity and talent here in Hawai'i."

In other categories, West also had a nomination for best new artist and shared a songwriting bid for song of the year with "Jesus Walks."

Usher and Alicia Keys, who collaborated on the hit "My Boo," followed West with eight nominations each.

Ray Charles, whose posthumous duets album "Genius Loves Company," became the biggest selling album of his long career, had seven nominations.

Green Day garnered six bids for its hard-driving rock-punk album "American Idiot" which satirized culture, politics and apathy. The group was nominated for record of the year and best rock song for the title track and best rock album.

The best new artist class spanned soul, rap, country and pop, with nominees Gretchen Wilson, country's self-proclaimed "Redneck Woman," rapper West, young soul sensation Joss Stone, Los Lonely Boys and Maroon 5.

Bids for song of the year — which goes to songwriters — went to "Daughters," written and recorded by John Mayer, "If I Ain't Got You," written and recorded by Keys, "Jesus Walks," recorded by West, "Live Like You Were Dying," recorded by Tim McGraw, and "The Reason," recorded by Hoobastank.