If the Brit Awards are indeed the U.K.'s version of the Grammys, this year's nominees indicate that the nations are musically worlds apart.

India.Arie, Outkast and even U2, who garnered eight Grammy nods (see [article id="1451640"]"U2, India.Arie Lead Grammy Pack"[/article]), came up empty-handed. Instead, the Brits raised their teacups for numerous acts that hardly register as blips on America's radar.

Cartoon supergroup Gorillaz, who received one Grammy nod (for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group), landed six Brit Award nominations, including the top two: Best British Group and Best British Album (Gorillaz). The band also received votes for Best British Dance Act and Best British Newcomer, and its single "Clint Eastwood" was nominated for Best British Single and Best British Video.

English sensation Robbie Williams, who won three awards last year, was nominated in four categories, Best British Male, Best British Single for "Eternity/The Road to Mandalay," and two Best British Video nods for "Supreme" and "Kids," the latter of which he shares with duet partner Kylie Minogue.

Australian pop vixen Minogue was recognized in three additional categories: Best International Female, Best International Album (Fever) and Best Pop Act.

Dido is nominated for three awards: Best British Female, Best British Album (No Angel) and Best British Video for "Thank You." She was initially named a contender in four categories, but her Best British Newcomer nomination was quickly revoked after organizers realized she did not qualify. The Official U.K. Charts Company, which compiled the list of eligible artists, called the move a mistake and apologized to Dido, her record company and listeners of the BBC's Radio 1, who vote on the winner from the list of nominees. Singer/songwriter Tom McRae took Dido's place in the category.

The Strokes — the New York art-rock combo whose English popularity vastly exceeds its American success — were nominated for three awards: Best International Album (Is This It), Best International Group and Best International Newcomer.

Competing with the Strokes will be Alicia Keys, Daft Punk, Destiny's Child, Limp Bizkit and R.E.M. for Best International Group; Keys, Daft Punk, Destiny's Child and Minogue for Best International Album; and Anastacia, Avalanches, Linkin Park and Nelly Furtado for Best International Newcomer.

In two Strokesless categories, Bob Dylan, Dr. Dre, Ryan Adams, Shaggy and Wyclef Jean will duke it out for the Best International Male award, while Keys will compete with Anastacia, Björk, Minogue and Furtado for Best International Female.

Travis, Stereophonics, Radiohead and Jamiroquai will compete with Gorillaz for Best British Group. Battling Dido and the 'toons for Best British Album are Travis for The Invisible Band, Radiohead for Kid A and Craig David for Born to Do It.

Sting will receive the Outstanding Contribution award at this year's Brits, which will be presented February 20 at Earl's Court in London.

Last year's winners included Coldplay for Best British Group and Best British Album (Parachutes), A1 for Best British Newcomer, Williams for Best British Single ("Rock DJ"), Fatboy Slim for Best British Dance Act, Eminem for Best International Male, Madonna for Best International Female, U2 for Best International Group and Kelis for Best International Newcomer (see [article id="1440978"]"Robbie Williams, U2, Coldplay Dominate Brit Awards"[/article]).

For feature interviews with Gorillaz and the Strokes, check out [article id="1444997"]"Gorillaz: In The Cage"[/article] and [article id="1450022"]The Strokes: Huge In England."

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[This story was updated at 3:29 P.M. EST on 01.16.02.]