Soul Train Music Awards | |
---|---|
Current: 2023 Soul Train Music Awards | |
Awarded for | Outstanding achievements in: Soul music, Contemporary R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Reggae and Hip Hop |
Country | United States |
First awarded | March 23, 1987 |
Website | BET: Soul Train Awards |
Television/radio coverage | |
Network | WGN America (1987–2007) First Run Syndication (1987–2007) BET (2009–present) Centric/BET Her (2009–present) |
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards show which previously aired in national broadcast syndication, and honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the makers of Soul Train , the program from which it takes its name, and features musical performances by various contemporary R&B and soul music recording artists interspersed throughout the ceremonies. The special traditionally used to air in either February, March or April, but now airs the last weekend of November (in most years, Thanksgiving weekend).
The Soul Train Music Awards voting body [1] includes active professionals in the fields of radio programming and music retail and management and recording artists with records that have charted in designated music trade publications in the year prior to proceedings. Past hosts for the show include such R&B luminaries as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith, Vanessa Williams, Taraji P. Henson, and Gladys Knight. [2]
The Soul Train Music Award trophy has featured an African ceremonial mask since its 1987 introduction. A new trophy was designed by Tristan Eaton of Thunderdog Studios in 2009 and is manufactured by the New York firm Society Awards. From 1995 to 2005 a separate award show named Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards was held, honoring female artists. [3]
| |||||||||||||||||||
|
The 2008 ceremonies were not held due to several factors, including the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, the ill health of Don Cornelius at the time, and Soul Train distributor Tribune Entertainment terminating operations in the wake of the sale of Tribune Media to Sam Zell. With the rights to Soul Train acquired by MadVision Entertainment, the Soul Train Music Awards were presented on November 24, 2009 on BET Her. MadVision now holds the rerun rights to Soul Train.
The 2009 ceremony was held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, marking the first time in the show's 22-year history it was held outside of the Greater Los Angeles. The 2010 awards was held on November 10 just outside Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and aired November 28. [4] The 2011 show was once again held in Atlanta and aired November 27. [5] The 2012 ceremony was held live on November 25 at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas in Las Vegas Valley, Nevada. As of 2019, Beyoncé is the most-awarded artist at the Soul Train Music Awards with 16 awards.
The original trophy is a bronze abstract sitting figure known as the Vanguard in 1987. However, the trophy is an African mask which is known as the Heritage Award. Its distinctive design created by an unknown sculptor, but its remains a visual trademark for Soul Train's representation of Black music.
From 1989 to 2007, the Heritage mask remained the trophy for Soul Train Music Awards until 2009 when BET and its sister channel Centric revived the awards. Thunderdog designed a brand new trophy based on the program's mascot, an actual train.
In 2015, host Erykah Badu added a new tradition to the award show, the Soul Cypher. Similar to a Hip-Hop cypher, it features a quartet of R&B/Soul/Gospel singers coming together to perform a freestyle. Accompanied by an instrumental beat and a live band, the artists deliver a freestyle arrangement by incorporating lyrics, hooks and/or titles from their popular hits. [7] A UK version of the Soul Cypher was introduced during the 2020 broadcast.
Year | Artists | Instrumental Beat |
---|---|---|
2015 | Lalah Hathaway, Eddie Levert, Chrisette Michele & K-Ci | Mobb Deep – "Shook Ones Pt. 1" |
2016 | Gladys Knight, Ne-Yo, Angie Stone & Tyrese | Bryson Tiller – "Don't" |
2017 | Bilal, Faith Evans, Fantasia & Mali Music | The Isley Brothers – "Footsteps in the Dark (Part 1 & 2)" |
2018 | BJ the Chicago Kid, Luke James, Queen Naija & Kelly Price | Patti LaBelle – "If Only You Knew" |
2019 | Keyshia Cole, Anthony Hamilton, Le'Andria Johnson & Carl Thomas | Robert Glasper – "Impromptu Medley" |
2020 | Chanté Moore, PJ Morton, Shanice & Stokley | Erykah Badu – "Love of My Life" |
2021 | Tone Stith, Koryn Hawthorne, Jac Ross, Elle Varner, & Musiq Soulchild | Aaliyah – "Rock the Boat" |
Year | Artists | Instrumental Beat |
---|---|---|
2020 | Hamzaa, Jvck James, Sinéad Harnett & Shae Universe | D'Angelo – "Lady" |
2021 | Nao, Ray BLK, SIPHO., Pip Millett, Jamilah Barry & Mnelia | Aaliyah – "Rock the Boat" |
|
|
Erica Abi Wright, known professionally as Erykah Badu, is an American singer and songwriter. Influenced by R&B, soul, and hip hop, Badu rose to prominence in the late 1990s when her debut album Baduizm (1997), placed her at the forefront of the neo soul movement, earning her the nickname "Queen of Neo Soul" by music critics.
Baduizm is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Erykah Badu. It was released on February 11, 1997, by Kedar Records and Universal Records. After leaving university in order to concentrate on music full-time, Badu then began touring with her cousin, Robert "Free" Bradford, and recorded a 19-song demo, Country Cousins, which attracted the attention of Kedar Massenburg. He set Badu up to record a duet with D'Angelo, "Your Precious Love," and eventually signed her to a record deal with Universal. Recording sessions for the album took place from January to October 1996 in New York City, Philadelphia, and Dallas.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Award for Best Song of the Year. The award was originally entitled Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year and first awarded during the 1989 ceremony. It was later retitled to its current title in 1993, before being renamed again to R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year in 1995. The award was retired following the 1996 ceremony, seeing the separated categories for male, female and group artists returning in its place. The award returned in 2009, along with its current title.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Award for Best Album of the Year. Originally entitled Best R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year, it was first awarded during the 1997 ceremony. It was renamed to its current title during the 2004 ceremony. During the years 2005 to 2008, the category was separated to award female, male and group albums separate awards.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Award for Video of the Year. Originally entitled Best Music Video, the award has been retitled a further two times, including to The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video before being retitled again to its current title in 2013. Janet Jackson has won this award a record six times and Beyoncé is the only artist with multiple nominations in one year.
The 2009 Soul Train Music Awards were held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia on November 29, 2009. The show was hosted by Oscar nominated actor Terrence Howard and Oscar nominated actress Taraji P. Henson. Performers included Keri Hilson, Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Mario, Raheem DeVaughn, Ludacris, Ryan Leslie, and Robin Thicke.
The 2015 Soul Train Music Awards was held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Centric and BET on November 29, 2015. Jill Scott was honored with Soul Train Awards' first ever Lady of Soul Award. The ceremony, hosted by Erykah Badu, honored artists in 12 different categories. American singer, songwriter and poet Jill Scott was honored with the Lady of Soul Award for her contributions to the music industry.
The 2016 Soul Train Music Awards was held at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 6, 2016. It was later aired on Centric and BET on November 27, 2016. The ceremony, hosted by Erykah Badu for the second year in a row, honored artists in 12 different categories. Drake was the most nominated artist with twelve, followed by Beyoncé (10) and Rihanna (8). During the ceremony american singer and songwriter Brandy was honored with the Lady of Soul Award for her contributions to the music industry. Teddy Riley was recognized by the Legend Award for his successful songwriting and music producing works.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Male Artist, which was first given in 2009. Trey Songz, Miguel, Maxwell, Bruno Mars and Chris Brown are the only artists to win the award twice.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, which was first given in 2009. Beyoncé holds the record of most wins in this category, with four.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Award for Best Collaboration. This category was created in the 2009 ceremony and since its creation, Chris Brown is the only artist to win the award four times.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Award for Best Dance Performance. This category was created during the 2010 ceremony and since its creation, Ciara and Chris Brown are the only artists to win the award thrice.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Song. The award was originally entitled Best Gospel Performance – Male, Female or Group and was created during the 2009 ceremony. It was later retitled to Best Gospel/Inspirational Performance in 2013 and then to its current title in 2014. Mary Mary and Lecrae are the only artists to win this award twice.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Rhythm & Bars Award. Originally titled Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year, the award has been given since the 2010 ceremony. It was renamed to its current title in 2016. Cardi B and Drake are the acts with the most wins in this category, both winning twice.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award. Also referred to as Record of the Year, this award was first given in 2009. John Legend currently holds the most awards in this category, with three, and Beyoncé holds the most nominations with nine.
This page lists the winners and nominees for the Soul Train Music Soul Train Certified Award, formerly the Centric Award. The award has been given out since the 2009 ceremony.
The 2018 Soul Train Music Awards took place on November 17 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ceremony aired on BET and BET Her on November 25, and was hosted by Tisha Campbell & Tichina Arnold, honoring artists in 12 different categories. During the award ceremony soul singer Erykah Badu was honored with the Legend Award while Faith Evans received the Lady of Soul Award for her contributions to the music industry.
Summer Marjani Walker is an American R&B singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Atlanta, she signed with the local record label Love Renaissance, an imprint of Interscope Records in late 2017. The following year, she released her debut commercial mixtape Last Day of Summer (2018), supported by its lead single, "Girls Need Love." The song became her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and spawned a remix featuring Canadian rapper Drake. Her debut studio album, Over It (2019) was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at number two on the Billboard 200 chart—briefly breaking the record for the biggest debut streaming week for a female R&B artist—and receiving triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Bernarr Ferebee Jr., better known by his stage name Durand Bernarr, is an American singer-songwriter and producer. He frequently provides background vocals for neo-soul artist Erykah Badu and featured vocals for other artists such as Anderson .Paak, Kaytranada, and The Internet. In 2019, Bernarr was a runner-up on the BET reality music competition The Next Big Thing. He released his latest album Wanderlust in 2022.