The pop legend who died on June 25 is in the running to be named Artist of the Year at the prestigious event and will be up against Taylor Swift, Eminem, Kings of Leon and Lady Gaga.
The Thriller singer is also nominated for Favourite Male Artist in both the Pop or Rock and the Soul/Rhythm and Blues categories, and Favourite Album for his Number Ones LP in both of the categories.
Country singer Taylor Swift leads the list with six nominations, while Eminem received four.
Taylor whose acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards last month was interrupted by Kanye West, who insisted Beyonce Knowles should have won is up for Favourite Pop or Rock Female Artist alongside Lady Gaga and Beyonce.
She could also win Favourite Country Album, Favourite Adult Contemporary Artist, Favourite Pop or Rock Album, Favourite Female Country Artist and the prestigious Artist of the Year prize.
The nominees were selected through a measurement combining sales and radio airplay and the winners are determined by an online vote of fans. They will be announced at a Los Angeles ceremony on November 22.
Black Eyed Peas - nominated for Favourite Band, Duo or Group along with Kings of Leon and Nickelback - will perform at the ceremony along with Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez.
Full list of nominees for the 2009 American Music Awards:
POP or ROCK MUSIC:
Favourite Male Artist:
Eminem
Michael Jackson
T.I.
Favourite Female Artist:
Beyonce Knowles
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift
Favourite Band, Duo or Group:
Black Eyed Peas
Kings of Leon
Nickelback
Favourite Album:
Lady Gaga Fame
Michael Jackson - Number Ones
Taylor Swift Fearless
COUNTRY MUSIC:
Favourite Male Artist:
Jason Aldean
Darius Rucker
Keith Urban
Favourite Female Artist:
Reba McEntire
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Favourite Band, Duo or Group:
Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Zac Brown Band
Favourite Album:
Rascal Flatts Unstoppable
Taylor Swift Fearless
Zac Brown Band Foundation
RAP/HIP-HOP MUSIC:
Favourite Male Artist:
Eminem
Jay-Z
T. I.
Favourite Album:
Eminem Relapse
Jay-Z - Blueprint 3
T.I. - Paper Trail
SOUL/RHYTHM and BLUES MUSIC:
Favourite Male Artist:
Jamie Foxx
Michael Jackson
Maxwell
Favourite Female Artist:
Beyonce Knowles
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson
Favourite Band, Duo or Group:
Black Eyed Peas
Day26
Mary Mary
Favourite Album:
Beyonce Knowles I Am
Sasha Fierce
Black Eyed Peas The E.N.D.
Michael Jackson Number Ones
SOUNDTRACKS:
Favourite Album:
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Hannah Montana 3
Twilight Soundtrack
ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC:
Favourite Artist:
Green Day
Kings of Leon
Shinedown
ADULT CONTEMPORARY MUSIC:
Favourite Artist:
Daughtry
Jason Mraz
Taylor Swift
LATIN MUSIC:
Favourite Artist:
Aventura
Luis Fonsi
Wisin Y Yandel
CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL:
Favourite Artist:
Jeremy Camp
Brandon Heath
Mary Mary
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Alternative Kings of Leon
Country Taylor Swift
Pop/Rock Lady Gaga
Rap/Hip-Hop - Eminem
Soul/R+B Michael Jackson
