R. Kelly is now the most celebrated Soul Train musician in history, with a total of 21 award nominations throughout his entire musical career. He is nominated for two awards at this year's Soul Train Awards and even if he does not win, he still is a name to remember.

Soul Train announced the nominees for this year's event on Sept. 19. Kelly is up for the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award and Album of the Year, according to MSN.

Usher has the most nominations for a single artist this year, with a total of five, including one for Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Estelle leads the females with three nominees at the awards, one being for Song of the Year for "Thank You" and another for Best Female Soul/R&B Artist.

Nas also received three nominees and he will compete as well for Album of the Year, according to Vibe. There were posthumous nominations also announced. Whitney Houston is nominated for Best Gospel Inspirational Performance for her collaboration on the "Sparkle" soundtrack and Amy Winehouse is up for the Best International Performance for "Our Day Will Come."

The Soul Train Awards, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, will air Nov. 25 on BET.

The Soul Train Music Awards began in 1987. The television series "Soul Train" created the award show to honor acclaimed musicians in the category of R&B, gospel music, hip-hop, and jazz.  

Don Cornelius created the program and was its host for many years. He died February of this year from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to the Examiner.

Tags: R. Kelly