Pakistan remains hopeful as Grammy nominations pour in

Indus Raag: Beyond Borders was accepted as an entry for Best World Music Album

NEW YORK/ KARACHI: The first Grammy nominations were revealed on Friday for only four awards, with news on other categories, including the most prestigious Album of the Year, to be announced early tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

The nominees for Best World Music Album will be announced later in the day.

Producer of Indus Raag: Beyond Borders, which was accepted as a nominee for the category, is “very hopeful that Pakistan will bag a nomination.”

Among over 170 entries, seven are from India, including one from Anusha Shankar, daughter of the late Pandit Ravi Shankar.

The early nods have pointed to a tilt toward female singers of R&B-influenced pop. Azalea, an Australian model and rapper, was nominated for Record of the Year with her breakthrough single "Fancy," which features British singer Charli XCX.

Trainor was tapped for her first hit single, "All About That Bass," also driven by the rhythm line.

Sia, another Australian influenced by R&B, score a nomination for "Chandelier." It was the biggest nomination in her more than two-decade career, although she previously was in contention two years ago in a rap category.

Taylor Swift got a nod for Record of the Year with her mega-hit "Shake It Off" from her chart-topping album "1989." The album as a whole, which last month enjoyed the biggest single-week sales for a US album in 12 years, came out too late for Grammy eligibility.

The only male artist nominated for Record of the Year was British singer Sam Smith for "Stay With Me," his ballad about a one-night stand from his debut album.

Beyonce, who is tied for most Grammys on a single night by winning six in 2010, was not nominated for Record of the Year but her blockbuster self-titled album, released last year with no prior publicity, was tapped for Best Urban Contemporary Album.

The Grammy winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in Los Angeles on February 8. Last year, French electronic duo Daft Punk dominated the night.

As nominations poured in artists and fans expressed excitement on social networking site Twitter.

As #GRAMMYs nominations roll out, Sam Smith leads with three. See the list so far: http://t.co/5Ti4HKgLhK

— LAT Entertainment (@latimesent) December 5, 2014

#RISER has been nominated for Best Country Album! #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/yWMCi2gtTP

— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) December 5, 2014