NEW YORK: For years, men — and legacy acts — have dominated in the rock category at the Grammy Awards, leaving little room for female stars who rock as loud and hard as the guys and young bands hoping to breakthrough on the music scene.

But at this year’s Grammys, there is a shift with women and budding acts dominating in the rock field, thanks to the Brittany Howard-led Alabama Shakes and Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine — with four nominations each — to promising performers such as James Bay and Highly Suspect, both up for best rock album and rock song.

Elle King, the 26-year-old carefree, raspy-voiced newcomer, earned nominations for best rock song and rock performance for the platinum single “Ex’s and Oh’s,” which topped the Billboard rock and alternative charts last year.

“There’s been space for people to make different music that’s not so pop-driven ... that’s why we went with alternative because I didn’t think I was another Katy Perry of this world,” King said in an interview.