Hammer a Big American Music Nomination Hit

Rapper M. C. Hammer today got seven American Music Award nominations, including top nods in pop-rock, soul-rhythm & blues and rap categories.

Janet Jackson was nominated five times, and Madonna, Vanilla Ice and Bell Biv DeVoe got four nominations apiece. Aerosmith, George Strait and Mariah Carey were each nominated three times.

Twenty-seven awards will be presented Jan. 28 during the 18th annual American Music Awards ceremony, which will be televised on ABC.

Other multiple nominees included Phil Collins, Wilson Phillips, Keith Sweat, Quincy Jones, Motley Crue, Poison, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Lisa Stansfield, The Judds, Michel’le, En Vogue and Tony! Toni! Tone!

The nominations were announced by “In Living Color” television star Keenen Ivory Wayans at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

American Music Award nominees were compiled from music industry charts of top-selling performers. Winners will be selected by a nationwide poll of 20,000 record buyers.

POP-ROCK

Favorite male artist: Michael Bolton, Phil Collins, M. C. Hammer.

Favorite female artist: Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Sinead O’Connor.

Favorite band, duo or group: Aerosmith, Bell Biv DeVoe, New Kids on the Block.

Favorite single: “Blaze Of Glory,” Jon Bon Jovi; “Hold On,” Wilson Phillips; “Vogue,” Madonna.

Favorite album: “ . . . But Seriously,” Phil Collins; “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814,” Janet Jackson; “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em,” M. C. Hammer.

Favorite new artist: Mariah Carey, Vanilla Ice, Wilson Phillips.

SOUL-RHYTHM

Favorite male artist: M. C. Hammer, Quincy Jones, Keith Sweat.

Favorite female artist: Regina Belle, Mariah Carey, Miki Howard, Janet Jackson, Lisa Stansfield.

Favorite band, duo or group: After 7, Bell Biv DeVoe, Tony! Toni! Tone!

Favorite single: “Feels Good,” Tony! Toni! Tone!; “Merry Go Round,” Keith Sweat; “U Can’t Touch This,” M. C. Hammer.

Favorite album: “Back on the Block,” Quincy Jones; “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814,” Janet Jackson; “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em,” M. C. Hammer.

Favorite new artist: Bell Biv DeVoe, Johnny Gill, Lisa Stansfield.

COUNTRY

Favorite male artist: Clint Black, Garth Brooks, George Strait. Favorite female artist: Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, Reba McEntire, Lorrie Morgan, K. T. Oslin.

Favorite band, duo or group: Alabama, The Judds, Shenandoah.

Favorite single: “Born to Be Blue,” The Judds; “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” Garth Brooks; “Love Without End, Amen,” George Strait.

Favorite album: “Killin Time,” Clint Black; “Livin’ It Up,” George Strait; “Reba Live,” Reba McEntire.

Favorite new artist: Alan Jackson, The Kentucky Headhunters, Travis Tritt.

HEAVY METAL

Favorite artist: Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Poison.

Favorite album: “Dr. Feelgood,” Motley Crue; “Flesh And Blood,” Poison; “Pump,” Aerosmith.

Favorite new artist: Bruce Dickinson, Don Dokken, Slaughter.

RAP

Favorite artist: M. C. Hammer, Too Short, Vanilla Ice.

Favorite album: “Fear of a Black Planet,” Public Enemy; “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em,” M. C. Hammer; “To the Extreme,” Vanilla Ice.

Favorite new artist: Candyman, Digital Underground, Vanilla Ice.

DANCE

Favorite artist: Janet Jackson, Madonna, Michel’le.

Favorite single: “Hold On,” En Vogue; “The Power,” Snap; “Vogue” Madonna.

Favorite new artist: Bell Biv DeVoe, En Vogue, Michel’le