Although she was present to announce the nominees, Nicki Minaj was still shocked to hear that she may be taking home a 2011 American Music Award herself.

“This is very cool. I really didn’t imagine this ever … I got to be honest,” she told “Access Hollywood.”

At the J.W. Marriott, in LA, Nicki—complete with Barbie pink lipstick and trademark colored wig—and artist Pitbull read off the names, and Nicki was “surprised” that she’d been nominated for two awards: Rap/Hip-Hop-Favorite Artist and  Rap/Hip-Hop–Favorite Album.


It’s not that Nicki doesn’t consider herself worthy of the honor, but the Young Money artist explained that while accolades from BET and MTV, networks that primarily focus on younger and more popular acts, might be expected, an AMA nod was not.
 “I guess you just get so used to only being recognized by a certain group of people that you don’t really expect it, and then when it happens, you’re just like really flattered,” she said, adding that a nomination from AMA is a “big deal.”

Nicki is going head-to-head against her Young Money mentor Lil Wayne in her two categories. Wayne is also nominated for Artist of the Year. Virtual sisters Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland faceoff for the Soul/Rhythm & Blues: Favorite Female Artist category.



Get more nominees here:
Rap/Hip-Hop- Favorite Artist

• 
Lil Wayne
• 
Kanye West

• Nicki Minaj

 
Rap/Hip-Hop Favorite Album

• 
Lil Wayne

• Jay-Z & Kanye West
• 
Nicki Minaj

Soul/R&B – Favorite Female Artist


• Beyoncé
• Rihanna
• Kelly Rowland

Soul/R&B – Favorite Album

• Beyoncé
• Chris Brown
• Rihanna

Soul/R&B Favorite Male Artist


• Chris Brown
• Trey Songz
• Usher

Pop or Rock-Favorite Album


• Rihanna
• Lady Gaga
• Adele

Artist of the Year


• Lil Wayne

• Adele

• Lady Gaga
• Katy Perry
• Taylor Swift

Favorite Album of the Year


• Rihanna
• 
Adele
• Lady Gaga


Get the full list of nominees here and cast your vote!
 

—Kia Jefferson