AWARDS UPDATE

Hammering Out the Nominees: Rapper M.C. Hammer and vocal group En Vogue became the first recording artists to take five nominations each for the annual Soul Train Music Awards. Among the nominess announced Wednesday at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Hammer’s single “U Can’t Touch This” appeared in three categories: best male R&B;/urban contemporary single, R&B;/urban contemporary song of the year and best R&B;/urban contemporary music video. Among other awards, En Vogue will compete for the best R&B;/urban contemporary new artist award against Oleta Adams, Vanilla Ice and Mariah Carey. The awards in 12 categories will be presented in a live broadcast March 12 from the Shrine Auditorium. Tribune Entertainment, which syndicates the weekly “Soul Train” show, will syndicate the special.