Ashanti And Amerie Lead ‘Soul Train’ Nominees
R&B singers Ashanti and Amerie led the list of nominees for the 17th Annual Soul Train Music Awards when the nominees were announced on Monday (February 3) in Beverly Hills, California. Each singer earned three nods, and the two will face off against each other in the best female R&B/soul single and best female R&B/soul album categories. Ashanti was also nominated in the R&B/soul or rap album of the year category, while Amerie got an additional nod in best R&B/soul or rap new artist category
Several artists–including B2K, Justin Timberlake, Musiq, Nelly, and Floetry–earned nominations in two categories. In addition, Nelly is slated to receive the 2003 Sammy Davis Jr. Award for entertainer of the year, while LL Cool J and Dionne Warwick will both receive the 2003 Quincy Jones Award for outstanding career achievements in the field of entertainment.
The 17th Annual Soul Train Awards will take place at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 1. The event will be hosted by Queen Latifah and Arsenio Hall. Some of the scheduled performers include Mariah Carey, Nelly, LL Cool J, and Justin Timberlake.
Don Cornelius, executive producer of the Soul Train Music Awards, shared what differentiates this award show from others. “It focuses on soul music specifically, as opposed to, you know, soul music being an after-thought or a secondary invite to the party,” Cornelius said. “What makes it stand out? The same thing that made Soul Train different from American Bandstand.”
2003 SOUL TRAIN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES
BEST R&B/ SOUL SINGLE, FEMALE:
“Why Don’t We Fall In Love” – Amerie
“Foolish” – Ashanti
“Love Of My Life (An Ode To Hip Hop)” – Erykah Badu featuring Common
“Little Things” – India.Arie
BEST R&B/SOUL SINGLE, MALE:
“This Woman’s Work” – Maxwell
“Dontchange” – Musiq
“Like I Live You” – Justin Timberlake
“U Don’t Have To Call” – Usher
BEST R&B/SOUL SINGLE, GROUP, BAND, OR DUO:
“Bump, Bump, Bump” – B2K featuring P. Diddy
“I Should Be…” – Dru Hil
“Floetic” – Floetry
“Girl Talk” – TLC
BEST R&B/ SOUL ALBUM, FEMALE:
All I Have – Amerie
Ashanti – Ashanti
No More Drama 2002 – Mary J. Blige
Mahogany Soul – Angie Stone
BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM, MALE:
Still Ghetto – Jaheim
The G Spot – Gerald Levert Juslisen – Musiq
Justified – Justin Timberlake
BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM, GROUP, BAND, OR DUO:
B2K – B2K
Full Circle – Boyz II Men Floetic – Floetry
Best Of Both Worlds – R. Kelly & Jay-Z
R&B/SOUL OR RAP ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Ashanti – Ashanti
10 – LL Cool J
Stillmatic – Nas Nellyville – Nelly
BEST R&B/SOUL OR RAP NEW ARTIST:
“Why Don’t We Fall In Love” – Amerie
“He Is” – Heather Headley
“Awnaw” – Nappy Roots
“Oops (Oh My)” – Tweet
THE MICHAEL JACKSON AWARD FOR BEST R&B/SOUL OR RAP MUSIC VIDEO:
“Wanksta” – 50 Cent
“Work It” – Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott
“Dilemma” – Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland
“Pass The Courvoisier Pt. 2” – Busta Rhymes
feat. P. Diddy & Pharrell Williams
BEST GOSPEL ALBUM:
Walking By Faith – The Canton Spirituals
The Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin – Kirk Franklin
Go Get Your Life Back – Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers
Family Affair II – Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir
— Yves Erwin Salomon, New York
