Adele leads Billboard Music Awards nominations

Soul star Adele's amazing 2012 has just reached new heights - she has landed 18 nominations for the upcoming Billboard Music Awards.

The multiple Grammy winner, who was named among Time magazine's most influential people earlier this week (begs16Apr12), will compete for the Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist and Top Hot 100 Artist trophies among others.

Rihanna, LMFAO, Lil Wayne and Katy Perry are also nomination leaders for the prizegiving ceremony, which will take place in Las Vegas on 20 May (12).

Competing with Adele, Rihanna and Perry for Top Artist honors will be Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne, who will also fight it out for Top Male Artist with Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Drake and Bruno Mars.

Adele, Rihanna, Perry, Gaga and Nicki Minaj will battle for the Top Female Artist crown, while the Top Duo/Group category will be contested by The Black Eyed Peas, Coldplay, Lady Antebellum, LMFAO and Maroon 5.

In other major categories, Bon Jovi, Taylor Swift, Take That, U2 and Roger Waters will compete for the Top Touring Artist award, and The Black Keys, Coldplay, Foster The People, Foo Fighters and Mumford & Sons will fight it out for both the Top Rock Artist and Top Alternative Artist trophies.

Carrie Underwood and Justin Bieber have confirmed performance slots at the Billboard Music Awards.