February 9, 2007

BMI Urban Stars Ride to the Top of Soul Train Nominations

The best of BMI's urban music stars topped the list of nominees for the 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards, which honor the biggest acts of soul, r&b and hip-hop. The awards, determined by a panel of radio programmers, artists and retailers, will be handed out March 10 in Pasadena, Calif., at a ceremony co-hosted by singers LeToya and Omarion.

  • Chris Brown
  • John Legend
  • Ne-Yo

R&B singer Chris Brown, neo-soul artist John Legend, "Crazy" duo Gnarls Barkley, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Ne-Yo and rapper Yung Joc came in with two nominations apiece, with Legend, Brown and Ne-Yo vying for the Best R&B/Soul Single trophy.

  • Gnarls Barkley
  • Yung Joc
  • Kirk Franklin

Gnarls Barkley, whose release St. Elsewhere is up for Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band or Duo, will compete against the Pussycat Dolls for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo.

Harlem rappers Webstar & Young B hope to collect the Best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut award with their breakout single, "Chicken Noodle Soup," while gospel giant Kirk Franklin's Songs from the Storm, Volume I looks to beat Youth for Christ's The Struggle is Over for Best Gospel Album.

BMI's 2007 Soul Train Music Award nominees:

Best R&B/Soul Single, Male
Avant
"4 Minutes"
Chris Brown
"Yo (Excuse Me Miss)"
John Legend
"Save Room"
Ne-Yo
"Sexy Love"

Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo
Gnarls Barkley
"Crazy"
The Pussycat Dolls featuring Avant
"Stickwitu"

Best R&B/Soul Album, Male
Chris Brown
Chris Brown
Jamie Foxx
Unpredictable
John Legend
Once Again

Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band or Duo
Gnarls Barkley
St. Elsewhere

Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist
Lupe Fiasco
"Gotcha"
Ne-Yo
"Sexy Love"
Rick Ross
"Hustlin'"
Yung Joc
"It's Goin' Down"

The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video
Busta Rhymes Featuring will.i.am & Kelis
"I Love My Chick"
Jim Jones
"We Fly High"

Best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut
Webstar & Young B featuring The Voice of Harlem
"Chicken Noodle Soup"
Yung Joc
"It's Goin' Down"

Best Gospel Album
Kirk Franklin
Songs from the Storm, Volume I
Youth for Christ
The Struggle is Over