M C Hammer

Rapper M. C. Hammer today got seven American Music Award nominations, including top nods in pop-rock, soul-rhythm & blues and rap categories. Janet Jackson was nominated five times, and Madonna, Vanilla Ice and Bell Biv DeVoe got four nominations apiece. Aerosmith, George Strait and Mariah Carey were each nominated three times. Twenty-seven awards will be presented Jan. 28 during the 18th annual American Music Awards ceremony, which will be televised on ABC.

BeBe (Benjamin) and CeCe (Priscilla) are a brother and sister duo who've evolved into commanding soul music stylists while remaining true to their gospel roots. Stalwart gospel purists might object to an appearance by labelmate M.C. Hammer on a funk-powered, rap-injected song called "The Blood," but it's just one of this album's appealing highlights. Rating: * * *