Rapper-producer Kanye West has had three UK hit singles

Alicia Keys and Usher share eight nominations each, while the late Ray Charles is nominated for seven awards including the Record of the Year prize.

The lengthy list of nominations was announced by artists including British star Joss Stone at the Beverly Hills Hilton on Tuesday.

The awards will be presented on Sunday 13 February in Los Angeles.

Duets shortlisted

Rapper and producer Kanye West's nominations include a bid for the artist of the year title and album of the year for The College Dropout.

His song Jesus Walks is on the single of the year shortlist, competing against If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys among others.

Ray Charles, who died in June aged 73, has seven nominations

West, who has had three hit singles in the UK, also earned five nominations in the Grammy's rap categories.

Musician Ray Charles, who died in June aged 73, has been nominated for awards including the album of the year title for his album of duets, Genius Loves Company.

Here We Go Again, a song he performed with US star Norah Jones, is nominated in both the record of the year and best pop collaboration categories.

American Idiot by Green Day, The Diary of Alicia Keys by Alicia Keys and Confessions by Usher also compete for the album of the year title.

Dance music honoured

A number of UK artists appear on the shortlist, including soul singer Joss Stone, who competes for the best new artist and best pop vocal album titles.

Glasgow band Franz Ferdinand's single Take Me Out appears in the best rock performance by duo or group category, competing against U2's latest single Vertigo.

Devon singer Joss Stone competes for the best new artist title

The U2 hit also appears on the best rock song shortlist, alongside Green Day's American Idiot, Somebody Told Me by The Killers and others.

British dance acts Basement Jaxx and The Prodigy compete with UK DJ Paul Oakenfold in the Grammys' new electronic/dance album category.

Other British performers to receive recognition include: