‘Emancipation’ proclamation

Grammy gives Carey 8 nods for comeback effort, and throws in a few snubs

	Mariah Carey beat out Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani for the unofficial role of this year's Grammy ingenue.
Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images

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COMMENTARY

By Helen A.S. Popkin

msnbc.com contributor

updated 3:22 p.m. ET Dec. 8, 2005

Mariah Carey, known for racking up the Grammy awards in the past, was welcomed back with open arms, receiving eight nominations for her comeback LP, “The Emancipation of Mimi.” Beating out Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani for the unofficial role of this year’s Grammy ingenue, Carey is nominated for album of the year as well as record of the year for the ballad “We Belong Together,” and best female pop vocal for “It’s Like That.”

However, former No Doubt front woman Stefani isn’t far behind. As expected, her 80s pastiche pop songs made it into several categories, including album of the year for “Love. Angel. Music. Baby.” and record of the year for “Hollaback Girl.”

On the “American Idol” front, Kelly Clarkson, who spent the year clawing her way out of her TV game show image, was resigned to two lesser nominations, best female pop vocal for “Since U Been Gone” and best pop vocal album for “Breakaway.” Third-year “Idol” winner Fantasia scored several nominations in the R&B categories for her debut, “Free Yourself.”

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Another songbird comeback was almost ignored completely. Fiona Apple, who released her first LP in six yeas, received only a best pop vocal album nomination for “Extraordinary Machine.”

Along with Carey, Grammy poster boy, Kanye West is another unsurprising favorite again this year. West, who took home several Grammys last time, is also up for eight awards, including best album for “Late Registration” and song of the year for “Gold Digger.”

Image: John Legend
Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images
John Legend received eight Grammy nominations Thursday, including nods for Best New Artist and song of the year.
The outspoken West made news on the eve of the nominations, once again announcing to the press how much he deserves little gold statues for his sophomore effort. Like a lot of things West says, he’s right. “Late Registration” is arguably an even tighter effort than his immaculate solo debut, “The College Dropout.” West’s intelligent raps are a welcome alternative to the inane hip-hop hits currently junking up Top 40 (i.e. 50 Cent’s “Candy Shop,” up for best rap song and Black Eyed Peas “My Humps,” thankfully not eligible this year).

There’s been a lot of hype this year about West’s protégé, John Legend, and it’s reflected in the eight nominations he received as well. Like West last year, the soul singer is front runner for best new artist, as well song of the year for the lush “Ordinary People.”