LOS ANGELES - R&B singer Beyonce led the field of Grammy contenders with 10 nominations, followed by teen country sensation Taylor Swift with eight, organizers of the music industry’s top awards said on Wednesday.

Black Eyed Peas, R&B singer Maxwell and rapper Kanye West each had six nominations, with Lady Gaga and rapper Jay-Z getting five apiece.

Swift, 19, whose “Fearless” album is the biggest seller in the United States in 2009, will compete with Beyonce for the coveted album of the year Grammy, along with Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas and the Dave Matthews Band.

Winners in all categories of the 52nd annual event will be announced at a televised awards ceremony on Jan 31.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by John O’Callaghan)