SOUL TRAIN PASSENGER; VANDROSS, HILL, KELLY AMONG AWARD WINNERS.

Byline: Fred Shuster Daily News Staff Writer

Hip-hop diva Lauryn Hill was the big winner with four awards Friday at the 13th annual Soul Train Music Awards.

Hill, 23, who recently won five Grammy Awards, took home honors for r&b/soul or rap album of the year, best video and female r&b album, plus a special Entertainer-of-the-Year award. Hill's debut album ``The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'' also topped most critics' polls.

``I'm extremely honored, but I want you all to know there's absolutely nothing I'm doing that all of you can't do too,'' Hill told the audience at the 6,000-seat Shrine Auditorium. ``I'm 23 years old, I'm just one person. But you all have the potential to do whatever.''

The three-hour program was telecast locally on KTLA-TV (Channel 5). Other winners included crooner R. Kelly, who won for best r&b/soul album, male, for his ``R.'' disc. Backstage, Kelly was good-natured about his job.

``All I have to do is get off a bus and perform,'' he said. ``It's not just about being successful. It's about maintaining success.''

Retired basketball great Magic Johnson made an appearance on the show and discussed his new music management firm backstage. Johnson represents such stars as Boyz II Men, Maxwell and Mase.

``I'm trying to shape their careers and help them to reach their goals,'' he told reporters. ``I'm the guy behind the scenes. I just try to watch their money. Since I left basketball, I have to channel that energy somewhere. And I'm good at business.''

Presenter and performer Whitney Houston, apparently having a sudden bad hair day, got as far as the press room entrance, where there was a chair and makeup mirror, before changing her mind and turning back. Hill never appeared backstage.

But comic Eddie Griffin drew laughs when asked about having Dennis Rodman on the Lakers.

``Now that we have Rodman, we have some entertainment,'' Griffin said. ``I don't care if he turns up bald-headed and barefoot with monkeys helping him to pull the rim down.''

The telecast was hosted by singer Brian McKnight, diva Monica and model Tyra Banks. Vocalist Luther Vandross was awarded the Quincy Jones Award for outstanding career achievement, while Hill got the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for female Entertainer of the Year and Kelly received the same honor for male entertainer.

Soul chanteuse Deborah Cox's ``Nobody's Supposed to Be Here'' was named best r&b/soul single, female. McKnight's ``Anytime'' won for best soul single, male.

The vocal trio Next's ``Too Close'' won for best soul single, group.

The venerable Temptations' ``Phoenix Rising'' took the trophy for best r&b/soul album, group. Kelly Price's ``Soul of a Woman'' was named best r&b/soul or rap new artist.

In the jazz category, Herbie Hancock's ``Gershwin's World'' was named best jazz album. And gospel band leader and singer Kirk Franklin's ``The Nu Nation Project'' got the best gospel album honor.

``Now, people are willing to give gospel music a platform,'' Franklin said backstage. ``Everybody came from gospel music, and some were offered a lot of money to tone down the message. But some of us chose to stay. We believe in the message and society needs a message of loving your brother and joy.''

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Photo

PHOTO Luther Vandross accepts the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievement as Whitney Houston observes at the 13th annual Soul Train Music Awards on Friday.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press