Rihanna Leads Billboard Music Awards Nomination

As the Billboard Music Awards prepares for a major comeback, Barbadian R&B/Pop sensation Rihanna leads the nomination with 18 nods.

Eminem came in second with 16 nods and Lady Gaga following with 12 nominations. The overall top Artist nominees are Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.

Winners in 46 categories are determined by Billboard chart performance, which calculate radio airplay and sales factors.

Categories includes Top Rock, Rap, Pop, Latin, Dance, Alternative, and R&B, as well as Male, Female and Duo/Group.

There will also be awards for Top Digital Song and Top Streaming Song (Audio and Video) reflect the growth of social media. The Top Social Media Artist nominees are Akon, Justin Bieber, Eminem, Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

Performers enlisted to perform on the Awards show includes Cee Lo Green, Pitbull and Nicki Minaj, Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Lopez, Taio Cruz, Metallica, and Britney Spears.

New Artist nominations go to Nicki Minaj, Bruno Mars, Ke$ha, Justin Bieber and Taio Cruz, while Top Touring Artist will be awarded to either Michael Buble, Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, U2 or Lady Gaga.

Katy Perry, Usher, Drake, Shakira, Mumford & Sons, Jack Johnson, Kings of Leon, Linkin Park, and more artists will be recognized in a variety of categories.

The Billboard Music Awards show began in 1990 but took a break in 2007.

The awards show returns this year on May 22 and will be televised live on ABC-TV from 8-11 pm ET.