This was inevitable: Michael Jackson was nominated for five American Music Awards Tuesday, second only to young ingénue Taylor Swift, who picked up six. Along with Lady Gaga, Eminem, and Kings of Leon, the two will compete for best artist of the year at the awards show next month. The nominees are determined by radio airplay and record sales, and members of the public vote for the winners. His death four months ago sent his music sales soaring, and Jackson has sold 5.7 million albums in the U.S. this year so far. Number Ones, a greatest-hits CD first released six years ago, is the bestselling album of the year, with 1.9 million copies snatched up by mourning fans. Swift's 2008 release, Fearless, has sold 1.8 million. No matter who wins, one only hopes Kanye skips the festivities.
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