Earlier today, the finalists were announced for the 2012 Billboard Music Awards set to take place next month. Adele lead the way as a finalist in 18 categories, with electro-pop sensation LMFAO follows with 17 award categories. Rihanna is a finalist in 13 categories, while Lil’ Wayne and Lady Gaga are tied with 10 categories. Other notables include Drake, Big Sean, Bad Meets Evil, and Wiz Khalifa. Fans can catch the awards live at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on May 20. Justin Bieber, LMFAO, Carrie Underwood, and The Wanted have been announced as the first group of performers with more names to be added closer to this year’s event.

View the finalists in this year’s top categories, after the jump…..

2012 Billboard Music Awards Finalists:

Top Artist
Adele
Rihanna
Lady Gaga
Lil Wayne
Katy Perry

Top Hot 100 Song
Adele – “Rolling in the Deep”
LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett and Goonrock – “Party Rock Anthem”
Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera – “Moves Like Jagger”
Katy Perry feat. Kanye West – “E.T.”
Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Nayer – “Give Me Everything”

Top Billboard 200 Album
21 – Adele
Christmas – Michael Bublé
Take Care – Drake
Born This Way – Lady Gaga
Tha Carter IV – Lil Wayne

Top New Artist
Bad Meets Evil
Big Sean
Foster the People
Scotty McCreery
Wiz Khalifa

Top Male Artist
Justin Bieber
Chris Brown
Drake
Lil Wayne
Bruno Mars

Top Female Artist
Adele
Lady Gaga
Nicki Minaj
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Hot 100 Artist
Adele
LMFAO
Bruno Mars
Katy Perry
Rihanna

Top Billboard 200 Artist
Adele
Justin Bieber
Michael Bublé
Lady Gaga
Lil Wayne

Full finalist/nomination list here.

Thanks to Rap-Up

Previously: 2011 Billboard Music Awards Live Performances: Beyoncé, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj & More