Female R&B singers Ashanti [ tickets ] and Amerie lead this year's pack of Soul Train Music Awards nominees, a group that also includes Justin Timberlake [ tickets ], Nelly [ tickets ], Musiq [ tickets ] and others.

Ashanti and Amerie dominate the nomination pool with three nods apiece. The two face off for Best R&B Single, Female (Ashanti's "Foolish" and Amerie's "Why Don't We Fall In Love") and Best R&B/Soul Album, Female ("Ashanti" and "All I Have"), while Amerie is up for Best R&B/Soul or Rap, New Artist ("Why Don't We Fall In Love") and Ashanti is vying for R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year ("Ashanti").

Going head to head with two nominations each are: B2K for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo ("Bump, Bump, Bump") and Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band or Duo ("B2K"); Floetry for Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo ("Floetic") and Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band or Duo ("Floetic"); Musiq for Best R&B/Soul Single, Male ("Dontchange") and Best R&B/Soul Album, Male ("Juslisen"); and Justin Timberlake for Best R&B/Soul Single, Male ("Like I Love You") and Best R&B/Soul Album, Male ("Justified").

In addition to the regular award categories, Dionne Warwick and LL Cool J will be honored with the 2003 Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements, and Nelly will be crowned the 2003 Sammy Davis, Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year.

The 17th Annual Soul Train Music Awards are scheduled to air in national syndication beginning March 1, according to organizers. Arsenio Hall and Queen Latifah will host the event.

A complete list of nominees appears below.

The 17th Annual Soul Train Music Awards nominations:

Best R&B/Soul Single, Female
"Why Don't We Fall In Love" - Amerie
"Foolish" - Ashanti
"Love of My Life" (An Ode to Hip Hop)" - Erykah Badu featuring Common
"Little Things" - India.Arie

Best R&B/Soul Single, Male
"This Woman's Work" - Maxwell
"Dontchange" - Musiq
"Like I Love You" - Justin Timberlake
"U Don't Have To Call" - Usher

Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo
"Bump, Bump, Bump" - B2K featuring P. Diddy
"I Should Be..." - Dru Hill
"Floetic" - Floetry
"Girl Talk" - TLC

Best R&B/Soul Album, Female
"All I Have" - Amerie
"Ashanti" - Ashanti
"No More Drama 2002" - Mary J. Blige
"Mahogany Soul" - Angie Stone

Best R&B/Soul Album, Male
"The G Spot" - Gerald Levert
"Still Ghetto" - Jaheim
"Juslisten" - Musiq
"Justified" - Justin Timberlake

Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band or Duo
"B2K" - B2K
"Full Circle" - Boyz II Men
"Floetic" - Floetry
"Best of Both Worlds" - R. Kelly & Jay-Z

Best R&B/Soul or Rap, New Artist
"Why Don't We Fall In Love" - Amerie
"He Is" - Heather Headley
"Awnaw" - Nappy Roots
"Oops (Oh My)" - Tweet

R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year
"Ashanti" - Ashanti
"10" - LL Cool J
"Stillmatic" - Nas
"Nellyville" - Nelly

The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B Soul or Rap Music Video
"Wanksta" - 50 Cent
"Pass the Courvoisier Pt. 2" - Busta Rhymes featuring P. Diddy & Pharrell
"Work It" - Missy "Misdemeanor"Elliott
"Dilemma" - Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland

Best Gospel Album
"Walking By Faith" - The Canton Spirituals
"The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin" - Kirk Franklin
"Go Get Your Life Back" - Donald Lawrence & the Tri City Singers
"Family Affair II: Live at Radio City Music Hall" - Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir