NEW YORK - The Recording Academy has sent a clear message when they announced the nominees for the 2018 Grammys: They want to see a black or Latino act have a better shot at winning in the major categories.

Black and Latino musicians dominated in the top four categories, including album and song of the year, giving those who perform rap, R&B and Latin music a strong chance at taking home the biggest awards, usually reserved for pop, rock and country musicians, or white artists.

In the past, acts like Beyonce, Kanye West, Eminem and Alicia Keys were leaders in nominations, but haven't won awards like record of the year.

This year there is a shift.

Jay-Z, rap's most powerful force, is the top nominee with eight, the academy announced Tuesday. Jay-Z's nominations include album, song and record of the year.

"It's just time," said No I.D., who produced Jay-Z's entire 4:44 album and is nominated in the top three categories alongside the rap icon. "I believe that when you really make the best music you can make from your heart, it will transcend all of those stereotypes, color issues, everything, because music is really made for human beings."

Justin Bieber, a featured guest on Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's ubiquitous hit Despacito, is the only white performer nominated for record of the year. Bieber and singer-songwriter Julia Michaels are the only white nominees for song of the year. And Michaels is the only white act up for best new artist; she will compete with SZA, Khalid, Alessia Cara and Lil Uzi Vert.

Neil Portnow, the academy's CEO and president, said the organization took time this year to work hard at diversifying its voting membership, which includes more than 13,000 people.

"You look at the nominations this year and I think that's clearly a reflection of the fact that we've done a lot of good work there," he said.

Behind Jay-Z, Lamar scored seven nominations while Mars earned six. Those who scored five nominations were black acts, including Childish Gambino, SZA, Khalid and No I.D..

"When you really make things that really challenge the status quo or challenge issues and you do it artistically and you do it with no fear, people are listening," No I.D. said. "As much as you act like everything is programmed or calculated or researched or numbers, spins, radio and clubs, it's still human beings out here you can reach with music."

Associated Press