Close behind were the Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars, each with six nominations. Bon Iver, Nicki Minaj, Mumford & Sons and Rihanna each earned four nominations.

Here’s a list of some of the top noms – some new-comers and a few stand-by favorites

For record of the year, nominees were Adele (“Rolling in the Deep”), Bruno Mars (“Grenade”), Bon Iver (“Holocene”), Mumford and Sons (“The Cave”) and Katy Perry (“Firework”).

Album nods go to Adele (21), the Foo Fighters (Wasting Light), Lady Gaga (Born this Way), Bruno Mars (Doo-Wops & Hooligans), and Rihanna (Loud).

Vying for Song of the Year: Kanye West and Rihanna (“All of the Lights”), Mumford and Sons (“The Cave”), Bruno Mars (“Grenade”), Bon Iver (“Holocene”) and Adele (“Rolling in the Deep”).

Yes, for some reason Rihanna keeps sneaking her way in there; hopefully this is the year that someone with real talent trumps her pop appeal.

While it has been reported that Kanye has been advised to change the artwork to appease US chain retailers, a source from Kanye’s label says that it’s untrue that the image has been banned, and that if he really insists on going with it, they will stand behind him. You can see the full image in question here, but be warned that it’s possibly NSFW, as there are boobs and a tail and some seriously weird art involved.

Some tabloid sites have speculated the Fame Kills tour was cancelled due to poor ticket sales and it does appear, as TMZ.com simply stated, they rather “sucked”. But why would two hot ticket music stars like Kanye West and Lady Gaga fail to bring in the crowds? Could be backlash is still flying over the Kanye West – Taylor Swift indicent at the MTV Video Music Awards. Or perhaps Lady Gaga has lost some of her draw dealing with all these crazy hermaphodite rumors.

As for Kanye West and Lady Gaga themselves, they aren’t saying much. Kanye West did say on David Letterman following the VMAs that he wanted to take time off to grieve his mother – who died a year ago. But then he went on to officially announce the “Fame Kills” tour just days later. Lady Gaga reportedly wasn’t too pleased with Kanye West’s rude behavior toward Taylor Swift on the VMAs, but gave no indication she wanted to dump the tour over it.

The music business is all about profits though. The most likely explanation is probably the correct one in this case. All this negative press has left a bad taste in fans’ mouths and they just weren’t ponying up enough cash to satisfy the “Fame Kills” headliners and backers.

In an interview with BBC Radio 1‘s Jo Whiley, Jay-Z called Kanye West’s actions at the VMAs “rude” but said he thinks it is equally “rude” the way he is being treated in the media. “He’s on the cover of every paper. He didn’t kill anybody. No one got harmed,” Jay-Z said.

Jay-Z said that although West’s actions at the VMAs were “inappropriate at the time,” he’s just a “super-passionate person.” Kanye West teamed up with Jay-Z for the rapper’s new album Blueprint 3. Jay-Z said Kanye West was only expressing his feelings over Taylor Swift’s defeat of Beyonce – Jay-Z’s wife – in the Best Female Video Award category at the VMAs. “Of course it was rude because it was her moment but that’s the way he really felt.”

“It’s an awards show,” Jay-Z said dismissively of the hype around the incident. “At the end of the day, we’re gonna celebrate [Kanye West] for his passion more than vilify him.”

Taylor Swift on 'The View' - ABC

In an appearance on The View Tuesday, Taylor Swift said Kanye West has “not personally reached out” to her with an apology for interrupting her acceptance speech at the MTV Music Video Awards on Sunday. Swift told the ladies of The View – including guest host Kate Gosselin – that she would accept West’s e-mail or call if he “wanted to say hi.”

As for the incident itself, Swift said: “I think my overall thought process went something like: ‘Wow, I can’t believe I won… This is awesome… Don’t trip and fall… I’m gonna get to thank the fans, this is so cool… Oh, Kanye West is here!’,” Swift said, “‘Cool haircut… What are you doing there? And then, Ouch. And then, I guess I’m not gonna be able to thank the fans.’”

Kanye West, meanwhile, sat for a brief interview on the premiere of The Jay Leno Show Monday night and offered up yet another apology for his actions at the VMAs. His ‘apology’ managed to sound rather self-involved, however.

When asked about how his day was following the incident, West said “Yes, it’s been an extremely difficult, I just, just dealing with the fact that I hurt someone or took anything away, from a talented artist or anyone…” Well, dude, if it is so “difficult” for you to hear yourself being called a douchebag and a jackass – by the President himself even – then you probably shouldn’t have been one, right?

After a bit more babbling about how he has to learn to deal with being a celebrity – really? – Kanye marched off to join Jay-Z and Rihanna for a performance of his song “Run This Town”.

What do you think, should Jay Leno have boycotted Kanye for his behavior at the VMAs? Or were ratings too important for the debut episode of The Jay Leno show to ignore being handed a scandalous gift like Kanye West fresh out of his VMAs debacle?

Kanye West at MTV Video Music Awards

Taylor Swift was just about to enjoy her moment of glory for winning the Best Female Video award at the VMAs when Kanye West accosted her on the stage. Grabbing the mic from her hand, West addressed the crowd and said: “Taylor, I’m really happy for you, and I’m gonna let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.”

Taylor Swift stood briefly stunned as the audience loudly booed Kanye West for his nasty outburst and then rapidly fled the stage. MTV cameras cut to a wide shot and then to a taped piece, but the damage was already done. Beyoncé tried to make up for West’s horrible behavior by calling Taylor Swift back on stage during her acceptance of the award for Best Video, but poor Swift just looked traumatized and miserable.

Kanye West later apologized on his blog, writing: “I’m sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom.” Fans and celebrities, however, don’t want to hear his lame excuses.

Kelly Clarkson penned a biting letter on her blog to West. “I’ve seen you do some pretty shitty things, but you just keep amazing me with your tactless, asshole ways,” Clarkson said. The former American Idol winner was also up for the Best Female Video category, which Taylor Swift won. Pink, also nominated for the category, attacked West via Twitter, saying, “Kanye West is the biggest piece of shit on earth. Quote me.”

Another American Idol alumni also took to the Internet to express his displeasure over Kanye West’s heartless VMA outburst. Adam Lambert wrote on his Twitter feed, “Kayne needs to chill. He freaks out every year. It ain’t that deep man.” Katy Perry, posting on her Twitter feed, was less kind. “Fuck U Kanye. It’s like u stepped on a kitten.”

Shame on you Kanye West, no apology is acceptable for this kind of behavior. Let’s hope somebody learns the lesson this time and bans your ass from every awards show known to man from now on.

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A message from kwest on Vimeo.