Lil Wayne was nominated for eight Grammys. AP File Photo

LOS ANGELES — Lil Wayne didn’t get “A Milli” Grammy nominations, but his total haul was still pretty amazing — eight.

Nominations for the prolific and ubiquitous rap MVP, who became pop’s biggest success in 2008 with his top-selling album, “Tha Carter III,” included a coveted album of the year bid.

Although the New Orleans rapper — who has been nominated for Grammys before but has never taken home a trophy — was the leading nominee, he wasn’t the only big act to have a big night Wednesday.

Following close behind during the Grammys’ first-ever nominations ceremony/concert combination was Coldplay, with seven nominations. The Chris Martin-led British group’s “Viva La Vida,” one of the year’s best-selling CDs, is in album of the year contention along with Radiohead’s groundbreaking “In Rainbows”; singer-songwriter Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman”; and Robert Plant’s collaboration with Alison Krauss, “Raising Sand.”

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 Pavements”; and M.I.A. for her breakthrough hit, “Paper Planes.”

Some surprising omissions: Katy Perry, who had one of the year’s biggest hits with “I Kissed a Girl,” was shut out of the top categories, including record of the year and best new artist. Still, she was excited about her nomination for female pop vocal performance.

Metallica got three nominations, but their huge comeback record “Death Magnetic” didn’t get a nod for album of the year despite being a top seller in 2008.

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

Though she hosted and performed, Swift, last year’s best new artist nominee, was shut out completely. The 18-year-old country artist has had a sensational year thanks to the continued success of her 2006 self-titled debut album and her latest top-selling CD, “Fearless.” While neither was eligible for consideration, her recent singles were.

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.

Sullivan, who has drawn comparisons to Lauryn Hill with her hit “I Need You Bad,” had a stellar night, with five nominations. Other multiple nominees included Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, who had six each; Krauss, who has numerous Grammy wins, got five nominations.

Another Grammy favorite, John Mayer, netted five as well, while Jennifer Hudson got four, including best R&B album for her self-titled CD.

— AP Music Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody in New York contributed to this report.