Alicia Keys, India.Arie, Aaliyah Lead Soul Train Nominations
Another awards show, another set of pack-leading nominations for Alicia Keys and India.Arie.
Keys is ahead of all others at the 16th annual Soul Train Music Awards with four nods, while Arie, the late Aaliyah and the Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley follow with three apiece, according to a spokesperson for the March 20 event.
The three ladies, plus Angie Stone, are up for Best R&B/Soul Single, Female, and they'll be competing for Best R&B/Soul Album, Female, with Sade's Lover's Rock. Aaliyah and Keys are also contenders for R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year for Aaliyah and Songs in A Minor, respectively, while Arie and Keys will face off against Fabolous and Bubba Sparxxx in the Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist category.
The Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley received recognition in the categories Best R&B/Soul Single by a Group, Band or Duo for "Contagious"; Best R&B/Soul Album by a Group, Band or Duo for Eternal; and the Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video for "Contagious."
Destiny's Child, Brian McKnight, Usher, Ja Rule, Jay-Z, Musiq Soulchild and Jagged Edge have two nominations apiece.
Arie is also favored to take home the most Grammy Awards on February 27 with a leading seven nominations, while Keys has six (see [article id="1451640"]"U2, India.Arie Lead Grammy Pack"[/article]). Keys and Aaliyah also won two American Music Awards in January (see [article id="1451722"]"Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child, Aaliyah Excel At AMAs"[/article]).
The Soul Train Music Awards will be given out at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, where soul singers the O'Jays will be bestowed with the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievement. Alicia Keys will be honored with the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Female Entertainer of the Year, and Dr. Dre will receive the male equivalent.
A taped broadcast of the awards ceremony is scheduled to air in syndication in late March. An album featuring tracks by several of this year's nominees is due March 26. Compilations based on the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and the Soul Train Christmas special are also in the works.
Nominations for the 16th annual Soul Train Music Awards, according to an event publicist:
Best R&B/Soul Single, Female
Best R&B/Soul Single, Male
Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo
Best R&B/Soul Album, Female
Best R&B/Soul Album, Male
Best R&B/Soul Album, Group Band, or Duo
R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year
Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist
Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video
Best Gospel Album