Popular pelvic thruster Justin Timberlake, R B diva Beyonce Knowles, scream-tastic rockers Linkin Park and American Idol star Chris Daughtry topped the list of American Music Award nominees announced today (Oct. 9) with three nods each. Timberlake and Knowles will do sexy battle for the favourite soul/rhythm blues album. B will also face off against Barbados beauty/arch rival Rihanna and “who knew you were still around?” Idol castoff Fantasia in the favourite soul/rhythm blues artist category.

She also has her sights on pant-wetter Fergie and pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne for the title of favourite female pop or rock artist. Meanwhile, everyone’s favourite *NSync castoff, Timberlake, is vying for favourite male pop or rock artist against fan-tosser Akon and production buddy Timbaland. J.T. is also nominated for favourite pop or rock album, against fellow frontrunners Daughtry and Linkin Park.

Daughtry’s radio-ready rock was good enough to also score him nominations in the favourite contemporary music artist and favourite breakthrough artist categories. Linkin Park also garnered an honourable mention in the favourite pop or rock band slot and are due to group race against “why are you nominated when you haven’t put out a CD in two years and even then it was bad?” band Nickelback and sexy popsters Maroon 5.

Plus, the boys of Linkin will square off against emo dark lords My Chemical Romance and garage-rock geniuses The White Stripes for the favourite alternative rock music artist award. The American Music Awards take place Nov. 18 in Los Angeles. Here is a full list of nominees.