As expected, Usher leads yet another awards show - this time the annual Soul Train Music Awards - with five nominations. The show, now in its 18th year, will take place Feb. 28 at Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

Usher copped nods 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, earned both artists 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!”

The Atlanta native, on fire since early 2004, swept the American Music Awards with four honors and has eight nominations for the upcoming Grammys.

Reluctant queen of crunk-n-b, Ciara, earned four nominations, including best female R&B-soul album and best R&B-soul or rap by a new artist for her debut set Goodies.

Keys’ album The Diary of Alicia Keys was also up for best R&B-soul album by a female. Her instant classic song “If I Ain’t Got You” received a best single nod in the female R&B-soul category.

Additional Soul Train nominees - Prince, Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, Jill Scott and New Edition - had two nominations each.

Here's a complete list of nominees:

R&B-soul single, female: “Naughty Girl,” Beyonce; “Goodies,” Ciara featuring Petey Pablo; “If I Ain’t Got You,” Alicia Keys; “Golden,” Jill Scott.

R&B-soul single, male: “Charlene,” Anthony Hamilton; “Let Me Love You,” Mario; “Call My Name,” Prince; “Confessions Part II,” Usher.

R&B-soul single, group, band or duo: “Lose My Breath,” Destiny’s Child; “Hot 2Nite,” New Edition; “My Boo,” Usher and Alicia Keys; “The Closer I Get To You,” Luther Vandross duet with Beyonce Knowles.

R&B-soul album, female: “Afrodisiac,” Brandy; “Goodies,” Ciara; “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” Alicia Keys; “Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2,” Jill Scott.

R&B-soul album, male: “Happy People/U Saved Me,” R. Kelly; “Soulstar,” Musiq; “Musicology,” Prince; “Confessions,” Usher.

R&B-soul album group, band or duo: “Hot & Wet,” 112; “Throwback,” Boyz II Men; “Destiny Fulfilled,” Destiny’s Child; “One Love,” New Edition.

R&B-soul or rap new artist: “Goodies,” Ciara featuring Petey Pablo; “I Believe,” Fantasia; “Tipsy,” J-Kwon; “Used To Love U,” John Legend.

R&B-soul or rap music video: “99 Problems,” Jay-Z; “Jesus Walks,” Kanye West; “Roses,” OutKast; “Yeah!” Usher featuring Ludacris and Lil Jon.

R&B-soul or rap dance cut: “Goodies,” Ciara featuring Petey Pablo; “Headsprung,” LL Cool J; “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell and Charlie Wilson; “Yeah!” Usher featuring Ludacris and Lil Jon.

Gospel album: “The Heavens Are Telling,” Karen Clark-Sheard; “Live From Another Level,” Israel and New Breed; “The J Moss Project,” J Moss; “I Owe You,” Kierra “Kiki” Sheard.