This is Beyonce's second time being nominated for Album of the Year. She was previously nominated for 2008's Sasha Fierce, but did not win. Bey has the honor of being the most nominated female artist of all time with 52 nominations, narrowly beating out Dolly Parton who has 46 nominations. She has won a total of 17 gramophones.

Beck was previously nominated for Album of the Year in 1997 for his album Odelay and again in 2001 for Midnight Vulture. Though he did not take home either of those awards, he has won three GRAMMYs in his career including Best Alternative Music Performance for his album Mutations in 2000.