LOS ANGELES - Beyonce and her groundbreaking "Cowboy Carter" album earned a leading 11 nominations for the Grammy Awards, the music industry's showcase gala, where she will face off against Taylor Swift and a new class of pop hitmakers.
The nominations announced by the Recording Academy make Beyonce the Grammys' most nominated artist -- and reignite the conversation about genre and race sparked by her innovative album vaunting Black cowboy culture.
But the megastar -- who despite her accolade-rich career still has never won the Grammy's most prestigious top album and record trophies -- faces stiff competition from perennial contenders Swift and Billie Eilish, who scored six and seven chances at Grammy gold, respectively.
The nominee list sets up a showdown between Beyonce and Swift, global superstars and Grammy regulars.
The 43-year-old Beyonce was already the show's most decorated artist ever.
Before Friday, she was also tied for most nominations with her music mogul husband Jay-Z -- now, she's in a class of her own.
But for all the records she sets, Beyonce is among the most snubbed Grammy artist. She conspicuously has lost out the top album award to the likes of Adele and Harry Styles.
The 34-year-old juggernaut Swift, on the other hand, last year swept past Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon to win more best album prizes than anyone with four, and she could extend that lead this time around.
Her album "Fearless" beat Beyonce for the prestigious prize in 2010.
Music released between September 16, 2023 and August 30, 2024 was eligible for nomination.
The Recording Academy will hand out trophies in all 94 categories on February 2 in Los Angeles.