Music

Both the 'Finesse' hitmaker and the 'Focus' singer lead the pack with six nods, while Cardi B and SZA pick up multiple nominations from the award show to be aired on BET in November.

• Oct 26, 2018

AceShowbiz - Bruno Mars and H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson) are the top nominees for the 2018 Soul Train Awards.

Both stars have picked up six nods, while SZA, Ella Mai, Daniel Caesar and Cardi B have also earned multiple mentions, ahead of the prizegiving in Las Vegas next month.

Mars, who was the big winner at last year's ceremony, will go head to head with H.E.R. in three categories - Song of the Year, Video of the Year, and The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award.

Erykah Badu and Faith Evans will also receive special awards at the ceremony on 17 November 17.

The full list of nominees is:

BEST NEW ARTIST

• Daniel Caesar
• Jorja Smith
• Kali Uchis
• Leon Thomas III
• Normani Kordei
• Queen Naija

SOUL TRAIN CERTIFIED AWARD

• Ashanti
• Jorja Smith
• Ledisi
• Lenny Kravitz
• MAJOR.
• Tamia

BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST

• Beyonce Knowles
• Ella Mai
• H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson)
• Mariah Carey
• SZA

BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST

• Bruno Mars
• Childish Gambino (Donald Glover)
• Daniel Caesar
• John Legend
• Khalid
• Tank

BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

• Andra Day
• Kirk Franklin
• Lecrae
• Snoop Dogg
• Tori Kelly

RHYTHM & BARS AWARD (BEST HIP-HOP SONG OF THE YEAR)

• Cardi B - "I Like It" (featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin)
• Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) - "This is America"
• DJ Khaled - "No Brainer" (featuring Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper and Quavo)
• Drake - "In My Feelings"
• The Carters (Beyonce Knowles and Jay-Z) - "Apes**t"

SONG OF THE YEAR

• Bruno Mars - "Finesse (Remix)" featuring Cardi B
• Ella Mai - Boo'd Up
• H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson) - "Every Kind of Way"
• SZA - "The Weekend"
• The Internet - "Come Over"

ALBUM/MIXTAPE OF THE YEAR

• Chloe & Halle - "The Kids Are Alright"
• Chris Brown - "Heartbreak on a Full Moon"
• H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson) - "H.E.R."
• Leon Bridges - "Good Thing"
• Miguel - "War & Leisure"
• The Internet - "Hive Mind"

THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER'S AWARD

• "Finesse (Remix)" - Written by Gene Hernandez, Belcalis Almanzar, Chris Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Ray McCullough, Klenord Raphael, Jeremy Reeves, James Yip, Ray Romulus (Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B)
• "Summertime Magic" - Written by Donald Glover, Ludwig Goransson (Childish Gambino)
• "Best Part" - Written by Ashton Simmonds, H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson), Riley Bell, Matthew Burnett, Jordan Evans (Daniel Caesar featuring H.E.R.)
• "Boo'd Up" - Written by Ella Howell, Dijon McFarlane, Joelle James, Larrance Dopson (Ella Mai)
• "Focus" - Written by H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson), Darhyl Camper, Justin Love (H.E.R.)
• "Broken Clocks" - Written by Solana Rowe, Cody Fayne, Adam Feeney, Ashton Simmonds, Thomas Beesley (SZA)

BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE

• Bruno Mars - "Finesse (Remix)" featuring Cardi B
• Chris Brown - "Tempo"
• Ciara - "Level Up"
• HoodCelebrityy - "Walking Trophy"
• Janet Jackson - "Made for Now", featuring Daddy Yankee

BEST COLLABORATION PERFORMANCE

• Bruno Mars - "Finesse (Remix)" featuring Cardi B
• Daniel Caesar - "Best Part", featuring H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson)
• John Legend - "A Good Night", featuring BloodPop
• Khalid featuring Ty Dolla $ign and 6LACK - "OTW"
• SZA - "Doves in the Wind", featuring Kendrick Lamar

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Bruno Mars - "Finesse (Remix)" featuring Cardi B
• Ella Mai - "Boo'd Up"
• H.E.R. (Gabi Wilson) - "Avenue"
• SZA - "Broken Clocks"
• The Internet - "Come Over"