The NAACP Image Awards nominees have been announced with several exciting competitions, including Bruno Mars facing off agains Miguel in one category. However, the show is light on rapper noms and “Page 6″ regulars. 

In the music categories, KEM leads all nominees with four, occupying three out of five of the Outstanding Song nominees slots. Elle Varner and Alicia Keys received three each, squaring off in the Outstanding Female Artist category.

Meanwhile, Bruno Mars and Miguel, who received two nominations apiece, compete against each other in the Outstanding Music Video category. 

Noticeably absent from the show are some of today’s headline grabbing names, such as Chris Brown, who was nominated for Outstanding Album and Outstanding Male Artist in last year’s ceremony. The list is also bereft of rap nods, with Chuck D and Lupe Fiasco as the only rap nominees.   

According to an NAACP press release that announced nominees, the Image Awards celebrate “the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.”

“We are proud to celebrate the artists and activists who use their craft to share positive images of our culture.” said NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock in a statement. “The artistic community is an important ally for social justice, and the NAACP Image Awards provides an excellent venue to recognize those who make a difference through art and activism.”

The winners will be announced in february during a live televised ceremony. See the list of recording nominees below. 

Outstanding New Artist
Elle Varner (MBK / RCA)
Gary Clark, Jr. (Warner Bros. Records)
Lianne La Havas (Nonesuch Records Inc. / Warner Bros. Records)
Melanie Amaro (Epic Records)
The OMG Girlz (Pretty Hustle / Grand Hustle / Streamline / Interscope)

Outstanding Male Artist
Bruno Mars (Atlantic)
Lupe Fiasco (Atlantic)
Miguel (ByStorm / RCA)
Trey Songz (Atlantic)
Usher (RCA Records)

Outstanding Female Artist
Alicia Keys (RCA Records)
Elle Varner (MBK / RCA)
Estelle (Atlantic)
Missy Elliott (Atlantic)
Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
Chuck D, Johnny Juice, Will.i.am, Herbie Hancock (Iconomy Multi-Media & Entertainment)
fun. feat. Janelle Monae (Atlantic)
Lupe Fiasco feat. Guy Sebastian (Atlantic)
Mary Mary (Columbia)
Ne-Yo, Herbie Hancock, Johnny Rzeznik, Delta Rae, Natasha Bedingfield (Forward Song, LLC)

Outstanding Music Video

“Adorn” – Miguel (ByStorm / RCA)
“Girl On Fire” – Alicia Keys (RCA Records)
“Locked Out Of Heaven” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic)
“This Christmas” – CeeLo Green (Elektra)
“You’re On My Mind” – KEM (Universal Motown)

Outstanding Song
“Be Mine for Christmas” – KEM (Universal Motown)
“Glorify the King” – KEM (Universal Motown)
“I Look To You” – Whitney Houston and R. Kelly (RCA Records)
“Locked Out Of Heaven” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic)
“You’re On My Mind” – KEM (Universal Motown)

Outstanding Album
“Bad – 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” – Michael Jackson (Legacy / Epic)
“Girl On Fire” – Alicia Keys (RCA Records)
“I Will Always Love You: The Best Of Whitney Houston” – Whitney Houston (RCA Records)
“On the Shoulders of Giants – The Soundtrack” – Chuck D, Will.i.am, Herbie Hancock, Nikki
Yannofsky (Iconomy Multi-Media & Entertainment
“Perfectly Imperfect” – Elle Varner (MBK / RCA)

Outstanding Gospel Album – (Traditional or Contemporary)
“Best Days” – Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music Group)
“Go Get It” – Mary Mary (Columbia)
“God, Love & Romance” – Fred Hammond (Verity Gospel Music Group)
“I Win” – Marvin Sapp (Verity Gospel Music Group)
“Le’Andria Johnson The Experience” – Le’Andria Johnson (Music World Gospel / Music World)

Outstanding World Music Album
“Ayah Ye! Moving Train” – KG Omulo (KG Omulo)
“Country, God, Or The Girl” – K’NAAN (A&M / Octone Records)
“Diversionary” – Brother B (King Chero Records)
“Wonderful Life” – Estelle (Atlantic) 

Outstanding Jazz Album
“Bone Appetit [Vol. 1 and 2]” – Jeff Bradshaw (Hidden Beach)
“Dreams” – Brian Culbertson (Verve Records)
“Renaissance” – Marcus Miller (Concord Jazz)
“Seeds From The Underground” – Kenny Garrett (Mack Avenue Records)
“The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection” – The Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Legacy)

For a full list of nominees go here. –E. Parker, CBS Local