NAACP Image Awards Nominate Kanye, Beyonc�, Common And Others

Beyonc and Jennifer Hudson were among the top nominees for the NAACP Image Awards, which were announced this Wednesday. Beyonc earned six nods including outstanding artist, album, and music video for Single Ladies. J-Hud received the most nods, with seven nominations.

Notable Hip Hop nominees include Kanye West whose 808's & Heartbreak is up for Outstanding Album, will.i.am with Yes We Can, competing for two awards, and Common, who is nominated for Outstanding Male Artist. Sean Diddy Combs was also nominated for his work in the made for TV film, A Raisin in the Sun, while The Wire goes up against Grey's Anatomy for Outstanding Drama Series.

In addition, the NAACP announced that Def Jam co-founder and prominent businessman Russell Simmons will receive the prestigious Vanguard award for his participation in raising awareness of racial and social issues.

The 40th annual awards ceremony, which honors outstanding people of color in various aspects of media including film, television, music, and literature, is scheduled to air on Thursday, February 12 on Fox from 8:00-10:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Listed below are all Hip Hop and R&B nominees.

Outstanding New Artist:
Anthony David
Estelle
Jazmine Sullivan
Jennifer Hudson
Leona Lewis

Outstanding Male Artist:
Chris Brown
Common
Jamie Foxx
John Legend
will.i.am

Outstanding Female Artist:
Alicia Keys
Beyonc
Jennifer Hudson
Mariah Carey
Rihanna

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration:
Anthony David & India.Arie
Estelle feat. Kanye West
Jennifer Hudson feat. Fantasia
Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown
Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole

Outstanding Music Video:
If I Were A Boy Beyonc
Single Ladies Beyonc
Spotlight Jennifer Hudson
Superwoman Alicia Keys
Yes We Can will.i.am

Outstanding Song:
Greenlight John Legend
Single Ladies Beyonc
Spotlight Jennifer Hudson
Superwoman Alicia Keys
Yes We Can will.i.am

Outstanding Album:
Beyonc I Am...Sasha Fierce
Jennifer Hudson Jennifer Hudson
Kanye West 808's & Heartbreak
Ne-Yo Year of the Gentleman
Seal Soul

Outstanding Drama Series:
Greys Anatomy
House
Lincoln Heights
The Unit
The Wire