The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch are the leading nominees for this year's American Music Awards with eight apiece.

Both will compete for artist of the year against Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Taylor Swift, organizers&nbsp;announced Monday.

Megan Thee Stallion is the next leading nominee with five, including for new artist of the year. Other contenders include Ricch, Lewis Capaldi, Doja Cat, DaBaby and Lil Baby.

This year's ceremony will feature several new categories, including new rap and hip-hop honours and several new awards for Latin music.&nbsp;

This year's ceremony will be held at Los Angeles' Microsoft Theater and air live on ABC on Nov. 22.

Most music awards shows have foregone live audiences or moved performances outdoors as a precaution against the coronavirus. Many, like the BET Awards, Country Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, have opted for a mix of live and pre-taped performances.

Several AMA nominees were announced by Dua Lipa on 

Swift has the chance to extend her lead as the most awarded artist in AMA history —&nbsp;she already has 29 wins.

Drake, Shawn Mendes and The Weeknd all score nominations for 2020 Billboard Music Awards

Drake, The Weeknd and Shawn Mendes were among musicians nominated for the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. Postponed due to the pandemic, many of the songs and albums up for consideration may feel dated, as this year's awards reflect the chart period of March 23, 2019 through March 14, 2020.

Drake attends the LA Premiere Of HBO's "Euphoria" at The Cinerama Dome on June 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

Drake

The Weeknd wins top prize at MTV VMAs that put spotlight on coronavirus, racial injustice

Canadian artist The Weeknd won the top prize at the MTV Video Music Awards show on Sunday, taking video of the year for Blinding Lights.

The Weeknd accepts the award for Best R&B during the 2020 MTV VMAs in this screen grab image made available on August 30, 2020.

AWARDS-VMA/

The Weeknd accepts the award for best R&B video for Blinding Lights during the 2020 MTV VMAs in this screengrab image. The Canadian artist also won video of the year.

Swift, Bieber, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, DaBaby and Doja Cat all have four nominations apiece.

Billie Eilish, an awards favourite since her sweeping wins at the Grammy Awards, scored two nominations, for favourite alternative rock artist and favourite social artist.

Kanye West earned a nomination for favourite contemporary inspirational artist. If he wins, it would be his first AMA win in a dozen years.

J Balvin, Roddy Ricch no longer performing at MTV VMAs

Grammy-winning rapper Roddy Ricch and Colombian superstar J Balvin will no longer perform at the MTV Video Music Awards.

This combination photo shows J Balvin performing at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 3, 2019, left, and Roddy Ricch performing at the 7th annual BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 21, 2019. Both artists have canceled their scheduled performances at the MTV VMAs on Sunday. 

Music-MTV VMA Performers

This combination photo shows J Balvin performing at Lollapalooza in Chicago on Aug. 3, 2019, left, and Roddy Ricch performing at the 7th annual BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 21, 2019. Both artists have cancelled their scheduled performances at the MTV VMAs on Sunday. 

Dan + Shay earned three nominations, including for favourite country duo or group, where they're up against Florida Georgia Line and Old Dominion.

Harry Styles could pick up his first solo award at the ceremony for his album 

Juice WRLD, who died in December, received a posthumous nomination for favourite male rap/hip-hop artist.

Roddy Rich, left, and The Weeknd were each nominated for eight American Music Awards on Monday. They will compete against each other for favourite song and artist of the year at the awards show airing Nov. 22. 

The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch lead AMA nominations with 8 each

Awards shows skip live performances

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