Alicia Keys, Michael Jackson and Jill Scott lead the pack of music artists receiving nominations for this year’s NAACP Image Awards.
Sultry R&B chanteuse Keys is at the top of the list with seven. She picked up nods for Outstanding Album for Songs in A Minor, Outstanding New Artist, Outstanding Music Video (directed by Chris Robinson) and Outstanding Songwriter for “Fallin’,” Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Songwriter (with Erika Rose) for “A Woman’s Worth” and Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special for her showing on the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.
Jackson received five nominations: Outstanding Album and Outstanding Male Artist for Invincible; Outstanding Song and Outstanding Music Video for “You Rock My World” (directed by Paul Hunter) and Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special for “Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Special.” That show received its own nomination in the category of Outstanding Variety Series/Special.
Jill Scott was nominated four times: Outstanding Album and Outstanding Female Artist for Experience: Jill Scott, Outstanding Song (with Keith Pelzer) for “He Loves Me” and Outstanding Performance in a Variety Series/Special for the 2001 “Soul Train” Lady of Soul Awards.
India.Arie and Aaliyah received three nominations each. Arie was recognized in the categories of Outstanding Album for Acoustic Soul and Outstanding New Artist and Outstanding Female Artist for “Video.” Aaliyah’s self-titled third album was nominated for Outstanding Album and Outstanding Female Artist, and “Rock the Boat” (directed by Hype Williams) is up for Outstanding Music Video.
In non-music categories, Will Smith was nominated for Outstanding Literary Work – Children’s for “Just the Two of Us,” and he’ll face off against Tyrese for the title of Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for “Ali” and “Baby Boy,” respectively. Both movies were nominated for Outstanding Motion Picture. Ice-T and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds will compete in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category for their work in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Soul Food,” respectively.
There are 41 categories in the NAACP Image Awards, which cover motion pictures, television, music and literature. The winners are determined by a panel of over 300 entertainment business professionals and NAACP leaders.
The 33rd annual event will be held February 23 at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood and broadcast March 1 on Fox.