Soul Train Nominees Announced

Puff Daddy leads with five nominations for the 12th annual Soul Train Music Awards set for Feb. 27 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Puff Daddy is up for awards for new artist; album of the year and best R&B/soul album (both for “No Way Out”); and best R&B/soul single and best music video (both for “I’ll Be Missing You”).

He led all nominees at the American Music Awards with five - although he did not take home any awards - and had a second-best seven Grammy nominations.

Artists associated with Puff Daddy and his Bad Boy Entertainment dominated much of the Soul Train nominations. The Notorious B.I.G., who was killed one day after last year’s show, received three nominations - album of the year (“Life After Death”), best R&B/Soul album, and music video (“Mo Money Mo Problems”), which features Puff Daddy.

Puff Daddy associate Lil’ Kim received a nomination in the best R&B/Soul album, female category (“Hard Core”), and friend Busta Rhymes was nominated for best music video for “Put Your Hands Where My …”

Meanwhile, Erykah Badu and Kirk Franklin’s God’s Property finished with four nominations each. Her “Baduizm” is up for album of the year, among other awards, while Franklin was nominated in categories including best gospel album.

MCA Records’ Mary J. Blige was next with three nominations, with her “Share My World” battling for album of the year.

Other multiple nominees include Joe, Dru Hill and Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott (two), each with two.