Controversial rapper Eminem defied music industry expectations at Wednesday's Grammy nominations, breaking out of the hip-hop categories to be nominated for album of the year.

        It was one of four nominations for his The Marshall Mathers LP, one of the best-selling discs of 2000. The CD has has been criticized for misogynistic and homophobic lyrics, which may have been factors in Eminem's failure to receive record or song of the year nominations for his hit “The Real Slim Shady.”

        Country star Vince Gill, who got his start with Cincinnati's Pure Prairie League, also received four nominations.

        Nominees with local ties included 98`, up for best pop collaboration with vocals, with Mariah Carey and Joe (“Thank God I Found You,”), and new Cincinnatian Peter Frampton, nominated in the rock instrumental category for “Off the Hook”. Former Cincinnatians nominated include conductor James Levine (Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Media for Fantasia/2000) and trumpeter Tim Hagans (contemporary jazz for Re: Animation Live!).

        Wednesday's nominations pitted young acts against grizzled vets, most notably for best album, in which Eminem, Radiohead (Kid A) and Beck (Midnite Vultures) are up against Steely Dan (Two Against Nature) and Paul Simon (You're the One).

        Record of the year nominees were nearly as varied as 'NSync's “Bye Bye Bye” and Destiny's Child's “Say My Name” face U2's “Beautiful Day” and Madonna's ""Music.” Critical and commercial favorite Macy Gray fills out that category with “I Try” and also was nominated for song and best female pop performance.

        The best new artist continued its fuzzy definition of “new,” including Dru Hill front man Sisqo and country-soul singer/songwriter Shelby Lynne, a solo artist for much of the '90s. They share the category with country singer Brad Paisley, rap-metal band Papa Roach and soul singer Jill Scott.

        Pop-country singer Faith Hill's “Breathe” received a song of the year nomination for writers Holly Lamar and Stephanie Bentley. It also received a country song nomination.

        Ms. Hill earned nominations for best country vocal, country album and country collaboration for “Let's Make Love” with her husband, Tim McGraw.

        'NSync, 2000's best-selling act, received three nominations,while fellow teen pop star Britney Spears got two. The 43rd Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast Feb. 21 on CBS-TV (Channel 12).

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