Usher leads the competition at this year's Soul Train Awards after receiving five nominations.

The "Burn" hitmaker is poised to dominate the prizegiving after being nominated for Song and Album of the Year, Best R&B Male Artist, The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award, and Best Dance Performance.

Nas, Trey Songz, John Legend, and Estelle have also landed multiple nods, while singer R. Kelly becomes the most nominated act in the ceremony's history with another two nods - he now has 21 Soul Train Awards nominations to his name.

In addition, tragic stars Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse both picked up posthumous nominations for Best Inspirational Performance and Best International Performance respectively, and grown-up boy band New Edition will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The ceremony will take place in Las Vegas in November and will be hosted by funnyman Cedric the Entertainer.