LOS ANGELES: Usher collected a leading five nominations for the annual Soul Train Music Awards on February 2.

The R&B sensation received bids for best male R&B-soul album for ‘Confessions’, and best male R&B-soul single for “Confessions Part II”. “My Boo”, his duet with Alicia Keys, also earned him and the soul diva a nomination.

Usher’s work with rappers Ludacris & Lil Jon also got him nominations for best R&B-soul or rap music video and best R&B-soul or rap dance cut for the song “Yeah!”

Usher swept the American Music Awards with four honours and has eight nominations for the upcoming Grammys.

Sexy newcomer Ciara, who burst onto the charts last year with her album ‘Goodies’, garnered four nominations, including best female R&B-soul album and best R&B-soul or rap by a new artist.

Keys’ album ‘The Diary of Alicia Keys’ was also up for best R&B-soul album by a female.

Her song “If I Ain’t Got You” received a best single nod in the female R&B-soul category. Among other Soul Train nominees, Prince, Beyonce Knowels, Destiny’s Child, Jill Scott and New Edition had two nominations each.

The Soul Train Music Awards, started 18 years ago by the syndicated music show ‘Soul Train’, celebrates artists in R&B, hip-hop, rap and gospel music.

The awards will be presented during a ceremony on February 28 at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

The awards are determined by a group of radio station professionals, talent managers and performers.