Smooth vocalist Maysa has been nominated in a new category at the Soul Train Awards, which announced its nominees on Thursday, October 22. Maysa got the nod in the Soul Approved/Underground category. Maysa, whose latest CD Metamorphosis features smooth jazz stars Najee and Nick Colionne, frequently performs and records with the U.K.-based group Incognito. In November, Maysa will join Colionne on a special holiday tour, Nick Colionne’s Cool Yule Christmas.
Among other nominees announced, the leaders are Beyonce, Maxwell and Keri Hilson with four nominations each. Others include Ledisi, Whitney Houston, Raphael Saadiq, Jamie Foxx and Laura Izibor. Michael Jackson will be honored with a posthumous entertainer of the year award.
The Soul Train Awards will also recognize those who helped shape R&B music. Record executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid, singers Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Chaka Khan and Charlie Wilson will be honored on the two-hour music special to be taped November 3 in Atlanta. The show will premiere on both Centric and BET networks in a special simulcast on November 29. Hosted by Academy Award-nominated actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the special will have performances by Toni Braxton, Brian McKnight, Robin Thicke, Erykah Badu, Johnny Gill, Fantasia and others.