LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― Veteran rapper Jay-Z topped nominees for the 2014 Grammys announced Friday with nine nods, while Taylor Swift and Daft Punk were also among those in the running in major categories.

But other major stars including Justin Timberlake failed to score any nominations in the major categories, which saw a mixture of rap and pop in the running for the top honors at music’s equivalent of the Oscars next month.

In second place with seven nods apiece were California hip hop star Kendrick Lamar and rapper Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, as well as Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams, while rapper Drake scored five.

The nominees in key categories were announced during an hour-long concert at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, including video-link performances by Swift from Australia and Katy Perry live from Canada.

“This year’s nominations reflect the talented community of music makers who represent some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry of the year in their respective fields,” said Neil Portnow head of Grammys organizers The Recording Academy.

In the coveted Record of the Year category songstress Swift’s “Red” will compete with French electro duo Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist,” Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” and Sara Bareilles “The Blessed Unrest.”