Women lead five of the eight nominees for album of the year for the 61st Grammy Awards, with rapper Cardi B, folk-rock singer Brandi Carlie, R&B newcomer H.E.R., Janelle Monáe and country singer Kacey Musgraves all being nominated for album of the year. Rappers Drake, Post Malone and the Kendrick Lamar-curated "Black Panther" soundtrack were also nominated.

Kendrick Lamar received the most nominations with eight nods, including song of the year and best song written for visual media for "All The Stars," and nominations for best rap performance and best rap song for "King's Dead."

This year's list of nominations were vastly expanded thanks to a new rule implemented in hopes of bolstering diversity. Under the change, the top categories of album, song, record and new artist of the year will be expanded from five nominees to eight. The change came following criticism in recent years over the lack of female nominees in top categories. The change came on the heels of a University of Southern California report released in January that found only 9.3 percent of nominees in the top Grammy categories were women over the past five years. 

Nominations, which were originally scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, were delayed due to funeral services for former President George H.W. Bush. 

The awards ceremony will take place February 10 from Los Angeles' Staples Center and will air live on CBS from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT.

City News Service contributed to this report.