Macklemore and Justin Timberlake lead American Music Awards nominees

Macklemore and Justin Timberlake lead this year’s American Music Awards nominees.

The rap duo earned nominations in six categories including Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Favorite Rap Artist, Favorite Rap Album, Favorite Pop/Rock Band or Duo and a new category for this year, Single of the Year for “Thrift Shop.”

Timberlake, who earlier this week became the second artist in 2013 to garner two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 with the 20/20 Experience Pt. 2, is nominated for Favorite Male Artist in both pop/rock and soul/R&B categories.

Taylor Swift follows closely behind Macklemore & Lewis with five nominations, while Rihanna, Robin Thickie and Florida Georgia Line earned four nods.

The coveted Artist of the Year category pits Macklemore & Lewis against Timberlake, Swift, Rihanna and Bruno Mars.

Macklemore and his partner are also up for New Artist of the Year with Florida Georgia Line, Ariana Grande, Imagine Dragons and American Idol’s Phillip Phillips.

Voting will commence on the American Music Awards website on Thursday (October 11).

It was also announced that Miley Cyrus and Imagine Dragons will be performing on the American Music Awards telecast.

The 2012 American Music Awards air live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on November 24 at 8pm ET on ABC.