Adele leads American Music Awards nominations

Adele has been ordered by doctors to rest her voice

British singer Adele leads the American Music Awards nominations with four nods, including artist of the year.

The 23-year-old, who recently cancelled her US tour because of a vocal cord haemorrhage, is up for best rock and pop female artist and best album.

She is also shortlisted for best contemporary artist. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Lil Wayne were nominated for three awards.

The winners will be announced on 20 November in Los Angeles.

Pitbull and Nicki Minaj - who presented the nominations - both got two nominations each, along with Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Jason Aldean, LMFAO and Kanye West.

Adele will battle for the artist of the year crown with US stars Lil Wayne, Swift, Perry and Lady Gaga.

Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Pitbull are set to compete for favourite pop and rock male artist, while Maroon 5, OneRepublic and dance music group LMFAO are up for best band.

In the rap and hip hop categories, Wayne, Minaj and Kanye West earned nods for favourite artist.

Minaj also made the shortlist for best album, along with Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Adele, who is nominated for her second collection 21.

The 39th annual American Music Awards ceremony will take place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, and will be seen live in the US on the ABC television network.

Perry and Pitbull are the first stars confirmed as performers at the event.