Las Vegas DJ-producers rack up Grammy nominations for songs, albums

Let’s look at the Grammys’ two main DJ categories: Best Dance Recording (song) and Best Dance/Electronica Album:

■ Skrillex is nominated for both categories for “Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites.” That’s the name of both the song and the album. He’s a resident DJ at Surrender at Encore, performing tonight and Jan. 21. (He’s also up for Best New Artist, competing against the likes of Nicki Minaj.)

I don’t see how Skrillex doesn’t win both awards. As a producer, his use of tones and rhythm are upbeat yet hard-core, dubstep grinding. He’s simply genius, so far, at creating catchy melodies out of nasty rhythms.

Personally, I prefer his single, “First of the Year (Equinox),” nominated for “Best Short Form Music Video.” It is a damn good video featuring a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”-esque revenge demon.

■ Deadmau5 is nominated for best song for “Raise Your Weapon,” featuring Greta Svabo Bech on vocals, and best dance album for “4×4=12.” He begins a year residency at XS at Encore on Jan. 2.

Deadmau5 is, at this point, the big dog of DJ-producers. The guy makes phenomenal songs in the studio, and he sold out to capacity this year during DJ gigs at Encore Beach Club (a fair set) and at Body English at Hard Rock (a terrific set).

■ David Guetta is nominated for best electronic album for “Nothing But The Beat.” His residency with wife Cathy Guetta was a strong draw this summer at MGM’s Wet Republic. David Guetta is also nominated for best dance song for “Sunshine,” a collaboration with super popular DJ Avicii, who spun this year at Marquee, XS and Wet Republic.

■ The trio, Swedish House Mafia, is nominated for best dance song for their stadium-anthem-y “Save The World.” They were maybe the biggest attraction at this summer’s Electric Daisy Carnival.

I like them better as individual DJs. Each played Vegas regularly in 2011: Axwell at XS; Steve Angello at XS, Encore Beach Club and Wet Republic; and Sebastian Ingrosso at XS, Marquee, Surrender and Encore Beach Club.

Next up: Ingrosso spins at XS on Dec. 30. Angello is at XS on New Year’s Eve.

■ A-Trak is half of Duck Sauce, which is nominated for best dance song for the goofy hit, “Barbra Streisand.” He’s had a thumping residency at XS.

There’s a third important Grammy category: Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical, with nominations for:

■ “Cinema (Skrillex remix)” by Sonny Moore, a remix of Benny Benassi — Benassi has been a staple at Marquee, Tao Beach and Marquee Dayclub. He spins Dec. 29 at Tao.

■ “Collide (Afrojack remix”) Afrojack, a remix of Leona Lewis — Afrojack is a great resident at Surrender, XS and Encore Beach Club. He spins next at Surrender on Dec. 28, then Jan. 1 at XS.

■ And “Rope (Deamau5 mix)” Deadmau5, a remix of Foo Fighters — A terrible song and remix, but the Grammy people must have liked the look of Deadmau5 and Foo Fighters in the same sentence.

By the way, also nominated is Robyn for best song (“Call Your Girlfriend”) and best dance album (“Body Talk, Pt. 3”). She played in April at The Cosmopolitan pool.

And Cut/Copy, nominated for best dance album (“Zonoscope”) was the closing-day act at Hard Rock’s Rehab dayclub.

Two songs the Grammys should have nominated: Zedd’s incredible “Legend of Zelda” (Zedd was at Haze last weekend); and Surrender/Encore Beach Club DJ Calvin Harris’ insanely catchy “Bounce” (the music video was shot at Surrender). But it’s the Grammys. They’re always messing something up badly.

On the other hand, this past February, the Grammys awarded British duo La Roux with the trophy for Best Electronic/Dance album. That would have been my choice, too. La Roux: Get your ass to Vegas.

Doug Elfman’s column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Email him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.