Kanye and Amy lead Grammys field

West and Winehouse have both had a dramatic few months

US rapper Kanye West leads the pack at the 50th Grammy Awards after receiving eight nominations.

But British singer Amy Winehouse is not far behind, having been shortlisted in six categories including record, album and song of the year.

Five acts - rock band the Foo Fighters, rapper Jay-Z, producer Timbaland, R&B singer T-Pain and Justin Timberlake - received five nominations each.

The prestigious awards will be held in Los Angeles on 10 February.

KEY GRAMMY NOMINEES Kanye West - 8 Amy Winehouse - 6 Foo Fighters - 5 Jay-Z - 5 Timbaland - 5 Justin Timberlake - 5 T-Pain - 5

Record of the year candidates include Beyonce's Irreplaceable, Rihanna's ubiquitous Umbrella and Winehouse's defiant hit Rehab.

Rehab is also up for song of the year - a songwriting award - alongside Corinne Bailey Rae's Like a Star.

West's Graduation album will vie with Winehouse's Back to Black record and the Foo Fighters' Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace for the album of the year prize.

Winehouse's other nominations include citations in the best newcomer and best pop vocal album categories.

RECORD OF THE YEAR SHORTLIST Beyonce - Irreplaceable Foo Fighters (pictured) - The Pretender Rihanna - Umbrella Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around Comes Around Amy Winehouse - Rehab

In the latter category, Back to Black goes head to head with Sir Paul McCartney's Memory Almost Full.

Winehouse and West's nominations come after a dramatic few months for both artistes.

Last month Winehouse called off all gigs and other public appearances for the remainder of 2007 after a series of shambolic concerts.

West, meanwhile, has had to deal with the death of his mother after complications following surgery.

A posthumous nomination was also given to rapper Pimp C who died two days earlier in Las Vegas.

The rapper was nominated as part of UGK (Underground Kingz) for their collaboration with hip-hop duo OutKast on the song Int'l Players Anthem.

Other categories announced include best rock, R&B, rap, classical and country albums.