JAY-Z LEADS GRAMMY NOMINATIONS:

OK, it’s just 8 nominations, but JAY-Z tops field

JAY-Z CONTINUES to stake his claim as the holy grail of musical performers.

The hip-hop mogul dominated Tuesday’s Grammy nominations, leading all artists with eight nods, including nominations in each of the three major categories.

His highly personal “4:44” is up for album of the year, while its titular track is nominated for song of the year. Another song from the album, “The Story of O.J.,” is a finalist for record of the year.

On the wildly popular album, which was released on June 30, JAY-Z covers highly publicized topics like his alleged infidelity and his falling-out with Kanye West, while also providing social commentary on race.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar was nominated for album of the year for “DAMN.” and record of the year for “HUMBLE.” He finished one behind JAY-Z with seven nominations overall.

Should “DAMN.” or “4:44” win album of the year, it would mark the first time a hip-hop record got the honor since OutKast’s “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” in 2004.

Bruno Mars earned nominations in the three major categories, with “24K Magic” named a finalist for album of the year. The title track is up for record of the year, while another single, “That’s What I Like,” is in the running for song of the year. The ultra-catchy Spanish-English hit “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber, was another big winner, earning nods for song of the year and record of the year. Ed Sheeran (inset) was among the biggest snubs. He didn’t earn a nomination in any of the top three categories, despite his hit song “Shape of You” and his album “÷” being eligible. Other stars set to descend upon Madison Square Garden Jan. 28 for the ceremony’s return to the Big Apple include Lorde, whose “Melodrama” is a contender for album of the year, Alessia Cara, who’s up for best new artist, and Childish Gambino, who is a finalist for album of the year (“Awaken, My Love!”) and record of the year (“Redbone”).

The award show will mark the first time since 2003 that the Grammys will take place in New York. The last 13 shows were held in Los Angeles.

The Grammys used to alternate between the two cities, but that seemed to change following a public feud between then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Michael Greene, the head of the Recording Academy in 1999.

The show was held in Los Angeles since then, with the exception of a 2003 MSG show.