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Jet, Jan 27, 2003

Rap star Nelly, singer Ashanti and singer-songwriter-producer-musician Raphael Saadiq each garnered five nominations for Grammy Awards, music's biggest honor.

Nelly, known for his Midwestern swing style of rap, came out the starting block on fire last year with the release of his sophomore album, Nellyville. The project was nominated for Album of the Year and Rap Album. Its first single, Hot In Herre, became last summer's anthem. The catchy dance tune received a nomination for Rap Solo Performance. The follow-up single, Dilemma, featuring Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child fame, won two nominations, Record of the Year and Rap/Song Collaboration.

Dubbed the Princess of Hip-Hop Soul, Ashanti was named in the New Artist category. Her self-titled debut album was nominated for Contemporary R&B Album. The project's first single, Foolish, earned her a nod in the Female R&B Performance category. Ashanti also received recognition for her work in the Rap/Sung Collaboration category with rappers Ja Rule and Fat Joe for Always on Time and What's Luv?, respectively.

Saadiq, who first won notoriety as Raphael Wiggins in the popular R&B trio Tony Toni Tone, also received five nominations. His honors came from his work in front of the mic as well as behind it. Saadiq's new album Instant Vintage was nominated for R&B Album. The album's single Be Here, featuring his longtime friend-music collaborator D'Angelo, was nominated for R&B Song and Urban/Alternative Performance. He also received two nominations for his work as a songwriter for Erykah Badu's hit song Love Of My Life, featuring rapper Common: R&B Song and Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. The tune is featured on the soundtrack of the movie Brown Sugar.

India. Arie received three nominations: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for Christmas Song with Stevie Wonder, Best Urban/Alternative Performance for Little Things and Best R&B Song for Good Man, a tune inspired by those who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001, tragedy.

Three nominations went to Erykah Badu. She was nominated for Love Of My Life in the categories R&B Song, Urban/Alternative Performance and Song Written For A Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

After a three-year absence, music great Natalie Cole resurfaced on the scene last year. Her jazz album Ask A Woman Who Knows was nominated for Jazz Vocal Album. She also earned a nomination for Pop Collaboration with Vocals for Better Than Anything with jazz vocalist Diana Krall. Cole's magnificent work on two other songs won others nominations as well.

Kentucky rap newcomers/pioneers Nappy Roots earned two nods: Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for Po' Folks and Best Long Form Music Video for The World According to Nappy.

Sultry songbird Aaliyah, who died last year, earned a nomination for Female R&B Performance for More Than A Woman and TLC, who lost rapper Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes last year in a car accident, earned a nomination for R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for Girl Talk.

Others earning two nominations included newcomers Floetry, singers Musiq and Joe, rappers Ludacris and Mystikal and instrumentalist Herbie Hancock.

Maya Angelou received a nomination for Spoken Word Album for A Song Flung Up To Heaven.

Other nominees include Luther Vandross, Usher, Craig David, the Temptations, Ann Nesby, Nas, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Outkast, Norman Brown, Kirk Whalum, R. Kelly, Dr. Dre, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Patti Austin, Roy Hargrove, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Fred Hammond, BeBe Winans and Steve "Silk" Hurley.

The show is on Feb. 23 in New York. This will be the first time since 1998 that the award ceremony will take place in the city.