.By CADONNA M. PEYTON

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The artist formerly known as Prince took top honors along with Whitney Houston for the rare "artist of the decade'' awards at the annual Soul Train Music Awards on Saturday.

The female trio TLC took home two awards for best rhythm 'n' blues group for their frank put-down of men, "No Scrubs,'' and best R&B/soul album for "Fanmail.'' The dynamic group also nabbed two Grammy awards last month.

Lisa "Left Eye'' Lopes, the co-host of the show, was the only one present to accept the award for TLC. She used most of her acceptance speech to thank her family.

"To my brother who takes it much too personal when they don't play the rap version on the radio ... and my mother who's always there when I need her,''
Lopes said.

Mary J. Blige, who won best R&B female album, won the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for female "Entertainer of the Year.'' The male designee was multi-platinum selling hip-hop star DMX.

Blige mentioned that minorities have struggled for recognition.

"I feel really good because this is a really big black awards show, for black music and black people,'' she said backstage. "And I am the struggle, I am black music and I am black people.''

On stage Blige thanked her fans. "It's because of each and every one of y'all that I've lasted 10 years and I'm not even out of my 20s,'' she said.

"To all the thugs on the streets that give Mary love ... to every little girl out there who ever wanted a Mary hairdo, thank you.''

"The Artist,'' who changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol, was singled out for his leadership during the decade for pioneering a concept of Internet distribution of CD releases by artists attached to his record label.

He said the "game'' of life is a struggle and not everyone will excel. ``A selected few of us will do well, the majority will not,'' he said. "As a people we're considered a minority. There's nothing minor about you. You are the most talented people.''

Whitney Houston thanked God for her award as well as the individuals who worked on the album.

Houston distinguished herself in the 1990s with millions of CD sales, while co-starring in movies "The Bodyguard,'' "The Preacher's Wife,'' and the television special "Cinderella.''

Other winners included Lauryn Hill, who reigned at last year's show with three awards. She was awarded for her single "Ex-Factor,'' and male artist Maxwell for his song "Fortunate.''

Neither were present to accept their awards. The show's hosts also included recording artists Tamia and Eric Benet, and Shemar Moore, the newest host of the Soul Train TV program, which began airing in 1970.