MUMBAI: Nominations for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards have been announced and leading label Universal Music Group has emerged on top once again. For over five decades, the Grammys have been recognizing brilliance in the music community and presenting the most deserving with what has become one of the most prestigious awards in the music business. This year, again saw some of the biggest names in the industry represented by Universal Music Group, garner the largest number of nods including Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, James Bay and Drake.

Lamar, Swift and The Weeknd, all represented by Universal Music are this year’s most nominated artists with Kendrick Lamar getting a phenomenal 11 nominations followed by Taylor Swift and The Weeknd both with seven nominations each.

The label also owned the prestigious `Album of the Year category with all five of its artists nominated - Alabama Shakes, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Stapleton, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd.

Universal also boasts three of the five Best New Artist nominees: James Bay, Sam Hunt and Tori Kelly. The Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack received six nominations, while Drake and Florence + the Machine each received five nominations.

Of the six nominations in the Best Rap Performance category, four nominations have gone to Universal Music artists along with four of five for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Rap Album, Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Album.

To add to the plethora of nominations, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) writer/producer Jeff Bhasker is nominated for Producer of the Year and UMPG writer Lori McKenna is nominated for Song of the Year for Little Big Town’s ‘Girl Crush’.

With a hefty roster that is diverse in its artists and genres, the record label can definitely expect to see many of their own take home the highest honours at the 2016 Grammys.

The 58th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on 15 February, 2016 in Los Angeles, Staples Center.