Eminem, Gill get four grammy nods each

Wednesday, January 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) â€” Eminem received four Grammy nominations Wednesday, including album of the year for ``The Marshall Mathers LP,'' a work that has enraged some listeners but won critical acclaim.

The work also was nominated for rap album and rap solo performance. The rapper, who faces an assault charge in Michigan, also was nominated for best rap performance by a duo or group for ``Forgot About Dre'' on the album ``Dr. Dre â€” 2001.''

Eminem's album also produced a nomination for Dr. Dre as producer, one of five bids for Dr. Dre. Singer-songwriter Beyonce Knowles also collected five nominations as a member of Destiny's Child and as a writer on the group's ``Say My Name'' and for the song ``Independent Women Part I'' from ``Charlie's Angels.''

Vince Gill had four nominations, including best country album for ``Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye,'' and country song for ``Feels Like Love.'' He was also nominated for country male vocalist for ``Feels Like Love'' and country collaboration with vocals, for a duet with his wife, Amy Grant, on the song ``When I Look Into Your Heart.''

Nominations in the top categories included a range of young and established artists.

Nominated for record of the year were pop acts Destiny's Child for ``Say My Name''; 'N Sync for ``Bye Bye Bye''; and veterans Madonna for ``Music'' and U2 for ``Beautiful Day.'' Macy Gray received a bid for ``I Try.''

Competing with Eminem for album of the year: Beck for ``Midnite Vultures,'' Radiohead for ``Kid A,'' Paul Simon for ``You're The One'' and Steely Dan for ``Two Against Nature.''

Song of the year nominations went to the writers of U2's ``Beautiful Day,'' Faith Hill's ``Breathe,'' Lee Ann Womack's ``I Hope You Dance,'' Macy Gray's ``I Try'' and Destiny's Child's ``Say My Name.''

The nominees for best new artist were Shelby Lynne, Brad Paisley, Papa Roach, Jill Scott and Sisqo.

``It means, I guess, that people like what I do â€” this year,'' Lynne said.

``I'm chilling right now,'' Sisqo said. '' I'm staying humble because I don't have the awards yet. If I win, I'll be happy, but if I lose I won't be crushed.''

Britney Spears, one of the year's leading album sellers, was nominated for pop vocal album for ``Oops! ... I Did It Again'' and female pop vocal performance for the song of the same name.

'N Sync, the boy-band sensation whose ``No Strings Attached'' was the year's biggest-selling album, was also nominated for pop performance by a duo or group for ``Bye Bye Bye'' and pop vocal album.

Although Eminem was nominated for album of the year, his song ``The Real Slim Shady'' was bypassed in the record and song of the year categories by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

``I do think it's a major snub,'' said Tom O'Neil, author of the book ``The Grammys'' and a historian of the awards.

Critics have accused Eminem of promoting homophobia and abuse of women, among other things. But music experts have praised his clever rhymes and artistry if not his message.

Steely Dan's three nominations for album of the year, pop performance by a group and pop vocal album capped a comeback year for the group, which reached the height of its popularity in the 1970s.

Newlywed Madonna has a chance for her first Grammy in a major category. U2's album, ``All That You Can't Leave Behind,'' received critical praise for combining the band's rock style of the 1980s with more recent techno explorations.

Madonna has won three Grammys in the past. In 1999 she won for best pop album for her excursion into electronica, ``Ray of Light,'' as well as best dance recording and best short form music video.

Faith Hill's album ``Breathe'' garnered nominations for female country vocal performance, country album and country collaboration with vocals for her duet with husband Tim McGraw.

Besides its song of the year nomination, ``Breathe'' also earned a country song of the year bid for writers Stephanie Bentley and Holly Lamar.

The 43rd annual Grammy awards will be broadcast live on CBS Feb. 21. Awards will be presented in 100 categories. (Two new categories introduced this year are best Native American music album and best pop instrumental album.)

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On the Net: http://grammy.com/