Lil Wayne leads Grammy noms with 8, Coldplay 7

While Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" was not regarded by critics as his greatest CD, it was the album that made the highly regarded veteran a pop superstar, thanks to massive hits like "Lollipop" and "A Milli."

Nominations were announced in a brand-new format this year, with an hourlong live prime-time CBS concert special that featured a brisk procession of performers and LL Cool J and Taylor Swift as hosts.

Lil Wayne — the most prolific, ubiquitous and successful performer on today's music scene — was the most rewarded by the Recording Academy on Wednesday, receiving eight Grammy nominations including album of the year for "Tha Carter III."

The CD was the only record this year to sell 1 million copies in its first week. Coldplay's "Viva La Vida," its first album in three years, was also a huge hit.

Coldplay and Plant & Krauss were also nominated in the coveted record of the year category for the respective songs "Viva La Vida" and "Please Read the Letter." Other record of the year nominees were British songstress Leona Lewis for "Bleeding Love"; another British newcomer, Adele, for chasing pavement; and M.I.A. for her breakthrough hit, "Paper Planes."

Also nominated were The Jonas Brothers for the best new artist category. While they have already released two CDs, their latest, "A Little Bit Longer," was their biggest yet in their breakthrough year. The teen sensations join Duffy and Adele, both singers with a soul bent; singer-songwriter Jazmine Sullivan; and breakout country act Lady Antebellum.

The Grammy Awards are scheduled for live broadcast on CBS on Feb 8. Last year's show drew 17.2 million viewers, making it one of the least-watched Grammys and continuing the trend of shrinking awards-show audiences.

Lil Wayne Shot Dead?

Apparently there's a rumor going around saying Lil Wayne has been shot. My guess is that after the rumor about Katt Williams, people are now making up anything.

I haven't heard anything on the radio or TV, so until then I will treat this as a rumor.

According to talk on the street, hip hop super star Lil Wayne was Shot Dead during the weekend. But like I said, I haven't heard anything on the radio or TV.

Here's what I did find after searching and making a few phone calls:

Lil Wayne Dead? Lil Wayne Died? These are some tough questions many people are asking? The truth of the matter is simple- It is just another hoax. Lil Wayne is not shot dead. Lil Wayne is alive. The rumors are baseless. No truth to it. Google it and you won't find anything about Lil Wayne's death because it is not true, just plain hoax.

That's all I could find. So I'll say to anyone reading this, Lil Wayne is alive and well.