Going in with a field best 10 nominations, Carlos Santana tied Michael Jackson’s record for the most wins in a single night, taking home eight statuettes.

Then there was the gossip-filled competition between Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Everybody was waiting with much anticipation to see which of the dueling teen divas would win the best new artist award. Aguilera won -- for at least that night.

And even though she didn't perform, there was Jennifer Lopez's green, barely there Versace dress. She … or her dress, rather … arguably overshadowed Santana.

So far, there isn’t any hot gossip brewing or a massive sweep of Santana-esque proportions for the 43rd annual Grammys in February. But there are a few players who you can bet have a good shot at a nod or two when the Recording Academy announces the nominees Wednesday in Los Angeles.

Gen-X angst ruled in 2000, so the likes of Limp Bizkit, Eminem and Metallica are likely contenders to get some recognition from the Academy: The Bizkit crew for their performance on the "M:I-2" soundtrack and their newest release "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water" and Metallica for the hit single "I Disappear."

Eminem is in a league of his own. Some hate him, some love him. But it doesn’t change the fact that his latest album, "The Marshall Mathers LP," made an indelible mark on the music scene in 2000. Criticized for its glorification of homophobia, misogyny and murder, the hit record was led by the single "The Real Slim Shady" and has sold 7.3 million copies, something the Recording Academy can’t ignore.

Regardless of the bad press "Marshall Mathers" got, the only other strike against Eminem is that he won two Grammys at last year’s show (best rap album for "The Real Slim Shady LP" and best rap solo performance for "My Name Is"). He's also been named the year's top musician by the likes of Spin and Rolling Stone magazine.

Hip-hop star Sisqo had quite the year with a little ditty called "The Thong Song." The tune became the summer anthem for teens everywhere, and such a feat could land him a nod by the Academy. Let’s just hope he leaves the barely there underwear at home this time.

The Beatles (yes, the Beatles) made quite the splash late in the year with the release of "1," a collection of the Fab Four’s 27 No. 1 hits. Is it possible for a band that split up 30 years ago to get nominated for a set of re-released music. Stranger things have happened. Remember when the Academy gave a Grammy to Milli Vanilli? And Sarah McLachlan won a Grammy last year for a live version of the song "I Will Remember You," which was released long, long before Spears and Aguilera hit the scene.

The race for the year’s newcomers could be strong, with bands such as 3 Doors Down and Vertical Horizon as possible strong contenders for the Grammy. Three Doors Down could be angling for a nod fueled by the summer hit "Kryptonite" that's still perched near the top of The Billboard Hot 100 singles charts.

And what of the dueling divas or the boy bands? If anyone has a chance, it’s 'N Sync and Spears. Each had successful new albums in 2000. And don't discount the Backstreet Boys, who were multiple Grammy nominees last year, or best new artist Aguilera.

The same can be said for Ricky Martin. He fizzled quickly in 2000, but if there’s a shortage of Latin nominees, the bon-bon shaker’s new album "Sound Loaded" or his first single "She Bangs" might qualify.

Again, it’s difficult to tell with the Recording Academy (see previous reference to Milli Vanilli). Now as far as that best polka album category, your guess is as good as ours.

The nominees for the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards will be announced Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. PT from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

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