Whitney Houston received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for her collaboration with Jordin Sparks on "Celebrate" from the film "Sparkle."

British singer Amy Winehouse performs during a 2007 concert at the Volkshaus in Zurich, Switzerland. The singer received a posthumous 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best International Gospel Performance. | Steffen Schmidt~AP Photo/Keystone

R. Kelly performs at Allstate Arena last year. The singer received two 2012 Soul Train Award nominations — for "Share My Love" for Song of the Year and "Write Me Back" for Album of the Year. I Scott Stewart~Sun-Times

Usher received five nominations for this year's 2012 Soul Train Awards. The tally pushes his count ahead of Michael Jackson and Beyonce.

Trey Songz is up for Album of the Year.

Robin Thicke, performing at Macy's Glamorama in August, received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Male Artist. | Ramzi Dreessen~Sun-Times Media

Mary J. Blige received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul Female Artist. | AP

Kanye West (pictured) performs with Jay-Z during the Watch The Throne Tour November 30, 2011 at the United Center. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Esperanza Spalding received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best New Artist. | Sun Times Media

2 Chainz's "No Lie" featuring Drake received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year. | AP

Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange" received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best Album of the Year. | AP

Rihanna received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best Dance Performance for "Where Have You Been." | Sun-Times Media

Chris Brown received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best Dance Performance for "Turn Up the Music." | Getty Images

Nicki Minaj received a 2012 Soul Train Award nomination for Best Dance Performance. | Sun-Times Media

Beyonce picked up a nod for Best Dance Performance for the 2012 Soul Train Awards. | AP