Rihanna tops 2011 Billboard Music Awards nomination

The nominees to the 2011 Billboard Music Awards were announced yesterday (April 13). As expected, it's S&M hitmaker Rihanna, who bagged maximum nominations. The multiple-award finalists included Eminem, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber.

Rihanna bagged highest number of nominations – a finalist in 18 categories like Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Female Artist, Top R&B Artist and Top Dance/Electronic Artist. Her smash collaboration with Eminem, "Love the Way You Lie," will compete in six song categories.

Rapper Eminem, a finalist in 16 categories, got the second highest nominations. He was followed by Lady Gaga with 12 nominations, while Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber had 11 nominations each. The other contenders in Top New Artist include Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj and Taio Cruz. Winners will be announced at the Billboard Music Awards to be held on May 22.