The 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards Nominations Are In


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The nominations are in for the 46th Annual NAACP Image Awards, and they're not bad at all. Not that we expected them to be, because out of all of the awards shows this is one of the classier events honoring entertainers of color. While there was a lack of younger artists, most likely on purpose, we do know that some of our SoulBounce favorites are represented in each category. Unlike the GRAMMYs, the Image Awards aren't side-eye worthy, but we do see a lot of repeats and a limited amount of new blood.

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In the Outstanding New Artist category, we see some familiar faces, who are now out as trios or have recently gone solo. Erica Campbell and the 3 Winans Brothers both got nods, among newer artists Aloe Blacc, Jhené Aiko and Liv Warfield. Speaking of familiar, interestingly enough, Michael Jackson received two posthumous nods in the Outstanding Male Artist category and the Outstanding Music Video category with Justin Timberlake. The only rapper allowed to pass the NAACP threshold this year is TDE's Kendrick Lamar, who received three nominations in the Outstanding Male Artist, Outstanding Music Video and Outstanding Song categories. Speaking of Outstanding Songs, the NAACP voting committee focused on uplifting tracks like "i" and Alicia Keys' "We Are Here" but slipped in Usher's raunchy track "Good Kisser" to add a little flair.

We'll be more than "Happy" when people stop playing this song, but it's no surprise Pharrell Williams received nods for Outstanding Male Artist, Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration with Justin Timberlake (this guy again) and Daft Punk and lastly the Outstanding Album category. Beyoncé is neck and neck with Pharrell in nominations as she gets nods in Outstanding Female Artist, Outstanding Music Video, Outstanding Song for "Pretty Hurts" and naturally Outstanding Album for her self-titled sneak attack album. Also in the Outstanding Album category, we find Toni Braxton and Babyface, who waltzed into the Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration category for their "Love, Marriage & Divorce." The duo have worked together for decades so it makes sense that they get a nomination based on their chemistry alone. No surprise that Sam Smith snuck his way in the door for the Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration with our girl Mary J. Blige, who also got an Outstanding Female Artist nomination. John Legend, Ledisi, Smokey Robinson, Al JarreauJennifer Hudson also get recognized in various categories.

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The 46th annual NAACP Image Awards will take place on Friday, February 6th, and the show will air live on TV One. Winners are chosen by NAACP members so may the musical odds be ever in their favor. You can review the list of nominees in music below and peep the nominations in TV, Film and more on the NAACP Image Awards website.

Outstanding New Artist
Aloe Blacc (XIX Recordings/Interscope Records)
Erica Campbell (My Block Inc./eOne Music)
Jhené Aiko (Def Jam Recordings)
Liv Warfield (Kobalt Label Services)
3 Winans Brothers (BMG)

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Outstanding Male Artist
John Legend (Columbia Records)
Kem (Motown – Capitol)
Kendrick Lamar (Interscope Records)
Michael Jackson (Epic Records)
Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Female Artist
Alicia Keys (RCA Records)
Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
Jennifer Hudson (RCA Records)
Ledisi (Verve Records)
Mary J. Blige (Capitol)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

“Being With You” – Smokey Robinson feat. Mary J Blige (Verve)
“Brand New” – Pharrell Williams feat. Justin Timberlake (Columbia Records)
“Gust of Wind” – Pharrell Williams feat. Daft Punk (Columbia Records)
“Love, Marriage & Divorce” – Toni Braxton & Babyface (Def Jam Recordings)
“Stay with Me” – Sam Smith feat. Mary J Blige (Capitol)

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Outstanding Jazz Album
“My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke” – Al Jarreau (Concord)
“Dave Koz and Friends: The 25th of December” – Dave Koz (Concord Records)
“Beautiful Life” – Dianne Reeves (Concord)
“Living My Dream” – Jonathan Butler (Rendezvous Music)
“Up” – Stanley Clarke (Mack Avenue Records)

Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
“Duets” – Donnie McClurkin (RCA Inspiration)
“Help” – Erica Campbell (My Block Inc./eOne Music)
“I Will Trust” – Fred Hammond (RCA Inspiration)
“Where My Heart Belongs” – Gladys Knight (Shadow Mountain Records)
“Journey To Freedom” – Michelle Williams (eOne Music)

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Outstanding Music Video
“Pretty Hurts” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
“You & I (Nobody in the World)” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
“It’s You” – KEM (Motown – Capitol)
“i” – Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Interscope)
“Love Never Felt So Good” – Michael Jackson feat. Justin Timberlake (Epic Records)

Outstanding Song
“We Are Here” – Alicia Keys (RCA Records)
“The Man” – Aloe Blacc (Interscope Records)
“Pretty Hurts” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
“i” – Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Interscope)
“Good Kisser” – Usher (RCA Records)

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Outstanding Album
“Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics” – Aretha Franklin (RCA Records)
“Beyoncé Platinum Edition” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
“JHUD” – Jennifer Hudson (RCA Records)
“G I R L” – Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records)
“Love, Marriage & Divorce” – Toni Braxton & Babyface (Def Jam Recordings)

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