It took the American Music Awards about 10 years to recognize Hip Hop, with the first "Best Rap/Hip-Hop" award going to DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand." Naturally, things have changed over the nearly two decades since then, and various Hip Hop influenced artists dominate this year's list of nominees.

Lil Wayne leads the pack with three nominations, including "Artist of the Year" and "Favorite Male Artist" in the Rap/Hip-Hop category. Cash Money's flagship artist also has nominations in the "Favorite Album-Rap/Hip-Hop" category for Tha Carter III. Wayne is pitted against Kanye West [Graduation] and Jay-Z [American Gangster] for the "Favorite Album-Rap/Hip-Hop" award. In addition to the Favorite Album category, frequent collaborators Kanye and Wayne will also face each other in the "Favorite Male Artist-Rap/Hip-Hop" category. Other nominees from the various Hip Hop, Rap and R&B categories are included in the complete list below.

Artist of the Year:
Coldplay, Eagles, Alicia Keys, Lil Wayne

Favorite Male Artist-Rap/Hip-Hop:
Flo Rida, Lil Wayne, Kanye West

Favorite Album-Rap/Hip-Hop:
Jay-Z: American Gangster, Lil Wayne: Tha Carter III, Kanye West: Graduation

Favorite Band, Duo or Group-Rap/Hip-Hop:
G-Unit, Three 6 Mafia, Wu-Tang Clan

T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist:
Colbie Caillat, The Dream, Flo Rida, Jonas Brothers, Paramore,

Favorite Female Artist-Pop/Rock:
Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Rihanna

Favorite Female Artist-Soul/R&B:
Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Rihanna

Favorite Album-Soul/R&B:
Mary J. Blige: Growing Pains, Mariah Carey: E=MC², Alicia Keys: As I Am

Favorite Male Artist-Pop/Rock:
Chris Brown, Kid Rock, Usher

Favorite Male Artist-Soul/R&B:
Chris Brown, J. Holiday, Usher