Chris Brown Leads The Pack With 5 Soul Train Awards Nominations

Building on an already impressive comeback year, Chris Brown dominated the nominations for the 2011 Soul Train Awards.

Nominations for the third annual Soul Train Awards were announced today (October 20) and the platinum-selling R&B singer leads with five nominations for Best Male R&B/Soul Artist, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Dance Performance.

R&B superstar Beyoncѐ will pose a formidable threat to Brown’s chances of bringing home the Album of the Year Award. Bey’s chart-topping 4 album is up for Album of the Year honors, while she’ll also compete for Record of the Year, Best Female R&B/Soul Artist and Best Dance Performance. Kanye West is also up for four nominations in three categories, while artists Kelly Rowland, Adele, Marsha Ambrosius and Miguel each trail with three nominations.

When it comes to recognizing musical talents of yesteryear, Soul Train will honor the long careers and musical influences of R&B group Earth, Wind and Fire and singer Gladys Knight with this year's Legend Award.

King of comedy Cedric "The Entertainer" will serve as host and The Original 7Ven, formerly known as The Time, will open the show. Multi-Grammy Award winning singer Natalie Cole, Jill Scott, Mindless Behavior, Robin Thicke, BeBe Winans and Joe will also take the stage to entertain and honor the Legend Award recipients. Producer and drummer for The Roots Questlove will also present a rendition of the "Soul Train" opening song.

The 2011 Soul Train Awards will tape on Thursday, November 17 at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia and air on both Centric and BET on Sunday, November 27 at 9P/8C.