Taylor Swift, Sam Smith lead Billboard nominations

Taylor Swift and Sam Smith are each nominated for five of the main Billboard Music Awards, which were announced this morning (07.04.15).

The 'Shake It Off' hitmaker and the British singer are both in the running for four of the five biggest prizes at next month's ceremony, rapper Ludacris and Fall Out Boy rocker Pete Wentz announced on 'Good Morning America' today (07.04.15).

Both stars will do battle against Ariana Grande, One Direction and Katy Perry for the Top Artist prize, and also go head-to-head for the Top Billboard 200 Album and Top Hot 100 Song, with Taylor's '1989' and 'Shake It Off' nominated in those categories against Sam's 'In the Lonely Hour' and 'Stay With Me'.

In addition, Taylor will compete for Top Female Artist alongside Katy, Ariana Grande and fellow Top Hot 100 Song nominees Iggy Azalea and Meghan Trainor. Sam is up for Top Male Artist alongside another British singer and Top Billboard 200 Album nominee, Ed Sheeran, with Drake, Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake also in line for the prize.

The remaining 36 categories will be announced throughout this morning on the event's official Twitter page by Chrissy Teigen - who will co-host the ceremony with Ludacris - and 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett. The 2015 Billboard Music Awards take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17, and the show will simulcast on ABC.

Billboard Music Awards 2015 first nominations: Top Artist: Ariana Grande One Direction Katy Perry Sam Smith Taylor Swift Top Male Artist: Drake Pharrell Williams Ed Sheeran Sam Smith Justin Timberlake Top Female Artist: Iggy Azalea Ariana Grande Katy Perry Taylor Swift Meghan Trainor Top Billboard 200 Album: Maroon 5, 'V' Pentatonix, 'That's Christmas to Me' Ed Sheeran, 'x' Sam Smith, 'In the Lonely Hour' Taylor Swift, '1989' Top Hot 100 Song: Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, 'Fancy' John Legend, 'All of Me' Sam Smith, 'Stay With Me' Taylor Swift, 'Shake It Off' Meghan Trainor, 'All About That Bass'