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.
Beyoncé is the biggest winner with four wins.
Winners and nominees Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.
1990s Year Artist Album Ref 1997 2Pac All Eyez on Me The Fugees The Score R. Kelly R. Kelly Outkast ATLiens 1998 Erykah Badu Baduizm Mary J. Blige Share My World The Notorious B.I.G. Life After Death Puff Daddy and the Family No Way Out 1999 Lauryn Hill The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Erykah Badu Erykah Badu Live DMX It's Dark and Hell Is Hot Jay Z Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
2000s Year Artist Album Ref 2000 R. Kelly R. Mary J. Blige Mary DMX Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood TLC FanMail 2001 Dr. Dre Dr. Dre 2001 Eminem The Marshall Mathers LP Jay Z The Dynasty: Roc La Familia R. Kelly TP-2.com 2002 Jay Z The Blueprint Aaliyah Aaliyah Ja Rule Pain Is Love Alicia Keys Songs in A Minor 2003 Nelly Nellyville Ashanti Ashanti LL Cool J 10 Nas Stillmatic 2004 OutKast Speakerboxxx/The Love Below Beyoncé Dangerously in Love R. Kelly Chocolate Factory Luther Vandross Dance with My Father 2005 – 2008 colspan="3" 2009 Beyoncé I Am... Sasha Fierce Jamie Foxx Intuition Kanye West 808s & Heartbreak Maxwell Blacksummers'night Ne-Yo Year of the Gentleman LeToya Luckett Lady Love (album) Keri Hilson In a Perfect World...
2010s Year Artist Album Ref 2010 Usher Raymond vs. Raymond Alicia Keys The Element of Freedom Sade Soldier of Love Drake Thank Me Later Erykah Badu New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) 2011 Chris Brown F.A.M.E. Adele 21 Beyoncé 4 Jay Z and Kanye West Watch the Throne Jill Scott The Light of the Sun Trey Songz Passion, Pain & Pleasure 2012 Frank OceanChannel Orange Eric Benét The One Nas Life is Good R. Kelly Write Me Back Usher Looking 4 Myself 2013 Kendrick Lamar Good Kid, M.A.A.D City Fantasia Side Effects of You Jay Z Magna Carta Holy Grail Miguel Kaleidoscope Dream Rihanna Unapologetic Justin Timberlake The 20/20 Experience 2014 Beyoncé Beyoncé Drake Nothing Was the Same Michael Jackson Xscape John Legend Love in the Future Janelle Monáe The Electric Lady Pharrell Williams Girl 2015 The Weeknd Beauty Behind the Madness Chris Brown X D'Angelo and the Vanguard Black Messiah Jill Scott Woman Tyrese Black Rose 2016 Beyoncé Lemonade DJ Khaled Major Key Drake Views Rihanna Anti Bryson Tiller T R A P S O U L Kanye West The Life of Pablo 2017 Bruno Mars 24K Magic Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Solange A Seat at the Table SZA Ctrl The Weeknd Starboy 2018H.E.R.H.E.R. Leon Bridges Good Thing Chris Brown Heartbreak on a Full Moon Chloe x Halle The Kids Are Alright The Internet Hive Mind Miguel War & Leisure 2019LizzoCuz I Love You Ari Lennox Shea Butter Baby Chris Brown Indigo Ella Mai Ella Mai H.E.R. I Used to Know Her Khalid Free Spirit
2020s Year Artist Album Ref 2020 Summer Walker Over It Brandy B7 Chloe x Halle Ungodly Hour Chris Brown and Young Thug Slime & B Jhené Aiko Chilombo The Weeknd After Hours 2021 Jazmine Sullivan Heaux Tales Blxst No Love Lost Doja Cat Planet Her Giveon When It's All Said and Done... Take Time H.E.R. Back of My Mind Wizkid Made in Lagos 2022 Beyoncé Renaissance Mary J. Blige Good Morning Gorgeous Chris Brown Breezy Ari Lennox Away Message Lizzo Special Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic An Evening with Silk SonicJazmine SullivanHeaux Tales, Mo' Tales: The DeluxeTankR&B Money 2023 SZA SOS Babyface Girls Night Out (Extended) Burna Boy I Told Them... Coco Jones What I Didn't Tell You (Deluxe) Ari Lennox Age/Sex/Location Janelle Monáe The Age of Pleasure Victoria Monét Jaguar IISummer WalkerClear 2: Soft Life EP
See also Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album – Male Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album – Female Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band or Duo
References