It’s time for the American Music Awards and the 20012 nominees are heating up the competition with record sales and chart-topping hits. Snakkle unearthed some choice before they were stars photos of some of the nominees, can you figure out who is who?

Who will take home this year’s coveted surfboards at the awards show by teens, for teens? You’ll have to wait until Sunday at 8 p.m. ET (Fox) to find out. But in the meantime, get to know some of the choicest nominees—teens and non-teens alike (hey, grownups can be choice, too!).

The 2012 Billboard Music Awards, hosted by Modern Family’s Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, honors the best and brightest artists that grace the top of the Billboard charts throughout the year. Superstars like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Adele, and Justin Bieber are among the nominees, and Snakkle wanted to see what these musicians looked like before they were strutting their stuff onstage and inspiring millions with their hit tunes. The Billboard Music Awards air Sunday, May 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and will feature performances from Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, LMFAO, The Wanted, Nelly Furtado, Usher, Linkin Park, and Chris Brown.

2011 was a great year for music, with new and old favorites leading the charge to the top of the Billboard charts. From fresh-faced ingénues to comeback kids and dance-floor superstars, the hits just kept coming. Take a look back and see if you can name Billboard’s top artists of the year before they were stars.

Grammy nominations are announced Wednesday, November 30! Who will be nominated? Who will perform? What will Beyoncé and her baby bump wear? All good questions, but at Snakkle we’d rather ask, “What did these music superstars look like before they were famous?” You’re about to find out.

Counting down till MTV’s Video Music Awards? Snakkle unearthed some trophy-worthy pics and videos of nominated artists like Adele, Kanye West, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and more!