New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne came out on top with eight Grammy nominations, including the big one — album of the year — for "Tha Carter III," the best-selling album of 2008.

Ne-Yo also received an album-of-the-year nod for his suave, superlative "Year of the Gentleman." The young R&B classicist netted six nominations, as did the rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West.

Cash Money Records Ronald “Slim” Williams on the eight nominations for Cash Money recording artist Lil Wayne released this statement, ?“We’ve worked with Lil Wayne since he was a teenager, signing him as part of the legendary hip-hop group the Hot Boys with Juvenile, B.G. and Turk. We have had the pleasure to see him grow and mature, both artistically and personally, into a multi-platinum superstar, but even more importantly, a loyal member of the Cash Money family, using our label as his base of operations. The success of Tha Carter III was the result of Wayne’s tireless work ethic and incredible creative ability, and on behalf of his New Orleans hometown, my brother, Baby, and I are honored to salute him as the artist with the most nominations at this year’s Grammy Awards. ” ?