Kanye West leads with seven Grammy nominations

Rapper Kayne West -- who has complained in the past about his lack of award nominations and wins -- leads this year's Grammy pack with seven nods, including one for "Song of the Year" for "All Of The Lights," his collabo with Rihanna, Kid Cudi and Fergie.

Nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced Wednesday night (11/30) at Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre during the hourlong CBS-TV special "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown to Music's Biggest Night."

Adele, Foo Fighters and Bruno Mars each garnered six nods; while Lil Wayne and Skrillex each are up for five awards. Drake; producers/songwriters Paul Epworth, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine; Nicki Minaj; Mumford & Sons; Radiohead; Rihanna; and Justin Vernon (of the critical darlings Bon Iver) each received four nominations.

"Once again, it is most gratifying to see the Grammy Awards process produce a broad cross section of diverse and impressive nominees across multiple genres," said Neil Portnow, president/CEO of The Recording Academy said in a press release.

See the full list of Grammy nominees

"This year's nominations truly reflect an exceptional and talented creative community that embodies some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry in their respective fields."

Adele and her hit "Rolling in the Deep" will be facing Bon Iver's "Holocene," Bruno Mars' "Grenade," Mumford and Sons' "The Cave" and Katy Perry's "Firework" in the Record of the Year category. "Rolling in the Deep" is also up for Song of the Year against the aforementioned "All of the Lights," "The Cave," "Grenade" and "Holocene."

Thanks to her top-selling collection "21," Adele makes a return appearance in Album of the Year along with Foo Fighters ("Wasting Light"), Lady Gaga ("Born This Way"), Bruno Mars ("Doo-Wops and Hooligans") and Rihanna ("Loud").

The Band Perry, Bon Iver, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj and Skrillex are set for Best New Artist.

The nominations were read in between performances by the likes of Lady Gaga (who donned a bikini, oversized men's shirt and skeleton-like makeup for a rendition of "Marry the Night"); Jason Aldean with Ludacris; and The Band Perry and Rihanna, the latter of whom performed via satellite from the O2 Arena in England. Lady Gaga reappeared at the end of the show to duet with Sugarland for a stirring performance of "You and I."

The Grammys will be held Feb. 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live on CBS. The ceremony is the first since the academy cut its categories from 109 to 78 earlier this year.