Ciara leads the pack of nominees for the 2005 Vibe Awards, with 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Kanye West and Missy Elliott following close behind.

The 19-year-old Atlanta native scored five nominations, including Artist of the Year and two nods in the Coolest Collabo category (one for "Oh" with Ludacris and another for her guest spot on boyfriend Bow Wow's track "Like You.") Carey and John Legend each landed four noms, running against each other for both Artist of the Year and Album of the Year.

50 Cent also picked up four nominations including one in the newly created Best Rapper category, where he'll go head to head with Kanye West, Ludacris, T.I. and the Game. Two additional new awards will also make their debut at the third-annual ceremony: VStyle, which honors the hottest urban fashion label (Rocawear and Sean John are among the nominees) and the Vibe Vixen, presented to "a woman whose persona and spirit influences urban culture." Ciara goes against Tyra Banks, Joy Bryant, Keyshia Cole and Kimora Lee Simmons for that trophy.

Other awards include R&B Voice of the Year, Street Anthem, Powerbroker of the Year, Club Banger, Hottest Hook and Video Goddess (which may be the only category at any awards show featuring nominees named Chessika and Buffie the Body).

The Vibe Awards ceremony will air November 15 on UPN. Performers have not yet been announced.

Last year's ceremony was marred by an onstage melee in which 26-year-old Los Angeles native Jimmy James Johnson emerged from the audience and punched Dr. Dre, who was on hand to accept the Vibe Legend Award. The altercation set off a chair-throwing brawl in which Johnson was allegedly stabbed by G-Unit member Young Buck (see "Warrant Issued For Young Buck In Vibe Awards Stabbing").

In June, Buck — whose real name is David Darnell Brown — pleaded not guilty to an assault charge and is free on bail awaiting trial (see "Young Buck Must Stand Trial For Vibe Awards Stabbing"). Last month, Johnson pleaded guilty to punching Dre, and received a one-year sentence (see "Dr. Dre Attacker Sentenced To One Year In Jail").

Calls to Vibe's publicist regarding security at this year's event were not returned by press time.