Kanye West and Adele Lead 2012 Grammy Nominations

Since the end of 2011 is vastly approaching (it's December now people!), it's time to look ahead and see what's to come in 2012. And the start of a new year means awards season is right around the corner -- Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammys, you name it, it's happening! And the nominations are just starting to trickle in.

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards nominations were announced last night by the Recording Academy, with Kanye West and Adele nabbing the most nominations. Kanye received an impressive seven overall, split between his solo album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Watch the Throne. Adele -- fresh out of throat surgery -- picked up six nominations herself, including recognition in the coveted Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year categories.

Tying the powerhouse singer were the Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars. Nicki Minaj, Mumford and Sons, Bon Iver, and Rihanna weren't far behind either, each earning a respectable four nominations in various categories. And, of course, the queens of pop: Lady Gaga and Katy Perry earned a few well deserved honors as well.

Below are a few of the major nominees:

Album of the Year
21, Adele
Wasting Light, Foo Fighters
Born This Way, Lady Gaga
Doo-Wops & Hooligans, Bruno Mars
Loud, Rihanna

Record of the Year
Rolling In the Deep, Adele
Holocene, Bon Iver
Grenade, Bruno Mars
The Cave, Mumford & Sons
Firework, Katy Perry

Song of the Year (goes to writer)
All of the Lights (performed by Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie)
The Cave (performed by Mumford & Sons)
Grenade (performed by Bruno Mars)
Holocene (performed by Bon Iver)
Rolling In the Deep (performed by Adele)

The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will air live on February 12th on CBS from L.A.'s Staples Center. For a full list of nominees, visit Grammy.com.

Source: USmagazine, Grammy.com, USA Today, hollywood.com