ST Lady of Soul Award Show: This weekend!

[AKA2D '91]

7/23/02, 6 p.m. ET) -- Murder Inc./Def Jam recording artist Ashanti received five nominations Tuesday (July 23) at the eighth annual Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards nominations lunch held at Spago Restaurant in Beverly Hills.

In addition to being up for awards for the best solo R&B/soul single, best solo R&B/soul album of the year, R&B/soul or rap song of the year, best solo R&B/soul or rap new artist, and best R&B/soul or rap music video, Ashanti was named as the recipient of the 2002 Aretha Franklin Award as "Entertainer Of The Year" for outstanding achievements in the field of entertainment.

It was also announced that actress Angela Bassett would be presented with the 2002 Lena Horne Award for outstanding career achievements in the field of entertainment.

Alicia Keys and the late Aaliyah each received four bids in the same categories, best solo R&B/soul single, best solo R&B/soul album of the year, R&B/soul or rap song of the year, and best R&B/soul or rap music video.

The event, scheduled to air live on August 24 at 8 p.m. ET at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, will be co-hosted by Arsenio Hall, Shemar Moore, and Jill Scott.

Scott, who received four Lady Of Soul Awards last year, told LAUNCH that she volunteered to serve as a co-host for this year's program. "I really kinda searched this one out," Scott said. "I really wanted to do this because I thought that they did me so well last year, really paid attention to what I was doing when a lot of other award shows just didn't. And I felt respected by them, and I wanted to show my appreciation. I thought that I could add some fun and easygoingness, and a little class as well. I just thought it would be a good idea, and here I am."

The following is a complete list of the eighth annual Soul Train Lady Of Soul Awards nominees:

BEST R&B/SOUL SINGLE, SOLO
Aaliyah - "Rock The Boat"
Alicia Keys - "A Woman's Worth"
Ashanti - "Foolish"
India.Arie - "Brown Skin"

BEST R&B/SOUL SINGLE, GROUP, BAND, OR DUO
702 - "Pootie Tangin'"
Destiny's Child - "Emotion"
Exhale - "Chillin' In Your Benz"
Isyss featuring Jadakiss - "Day & Night"

R&B/SOUL ALBUM OF THE YEAR, SOLO

Aaliyah - Aaliyah
Alicia Keys - Songs In A Minor
Ashanti - Ashanti
Mary J. Blige - No More Drama

R&B/SOUL ALBUM OF THE YEAR, GROUP, BAND, OR DUO
Allure - Sunny Days
Destiny's Child - Survivor

R&B/SOUL OR RAP SONG OF THE YEAR
Aaliyah - "Rock The Boat"
Alicia Keys - "Fallin"
Ashanti - "Foolish"
Mary J. Blige - "Family Affair"

BEST R&B/SOUL OR RAP NEW ARTIST, SOLO
Ashanti - "Foolish"
KeKe Wyatt featuring Avant - "Nothing In This World"
Truth Hurts featuring Rakim - "Addictive"
Tweet - "Oops (Oh My)"

BEST R&B/SOUL OR RAP NEW ARTIST, GROUP, BAND OR DUO
Damozel - "Everyday's A Party"
Exhale - "Still Not Over You"
Isyss featuring Jadakiss - "Night & Day"

BEST R&B/SOUL OR RAP MUSIC VIDEO
Aaliyah - "Rock The Boat"
Ashanti - "Foolish"
Missy Elliott - "One Minute Man"
Trina - "Told Y'all"

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM
CeCe Winans - CeCe Winans
Helen Baylor - My Everything
La Shun Pace - God Is Faithful
Yolanda Adams - Believe

-- Billy Johnson Jr., Los Angeles