The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards ceremony which honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the production company 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 previously aired in February, March or April; it currently airs during the last weekend of November (in most years, Thanksgiving weekend).
The Soul Train Music Awards voting body 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 include such R&B luminaries as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams, and Gladys Knight.
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.
History 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 Centric.
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. The 2011 show was once again held in Atlanta and aired November 27. 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 ceremony was put on hiatus after the 2023 edition; of it and the 2025 suspension of the BET Hip Hop Awards, then-BET CEO Scott Mills stated in 2025 that they needed to be "[reimagined[ for this changing media landscape that we find ourselves in."
After a three-year hiatus, it was announced that the Soul Train Music Awards would return with a new format for 2026; the ceremony will be held at the Harris Theater in Chicago (the city from which Soul Train was originally produced) on November 5, 2026, and filmed for a delayed broadcast by BET, other Paramount Skydance channels, and—for the first time—CBS, on November 27, 2026. BET executive vice president of specials Connie Orlando stated that the ceremony would be "a dynamic, two-hour celebration honoring four to five musical icons, spotlighting two fan-voted categories, and featuring marquee performances from artists who have shaped and continue to redefine the sound of R&B and soul." The ceremony will be produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment.
Trophy 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.
Ceremonies # Date Host Venue011987Dionne Warwick and Luther VandrossSanta Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California021988Dionne Warwick031989Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle and Ahmad RashadShrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California041990Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle and Luther Vandross051991061992Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross, Will Smith and Vanessa Williams071993Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross and Natalie Cole081994Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Johnny Gill091995Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker and Babyface101996Brandy, LL Cool J and Anita Baker111997Brandy, LL Cool J and Gladys Knight121998Patti LaBelle, Heavy D and Erykah Badu131999Tyra Banks, Monica and Brian McKnight142000Shemar Moore, Lisa "Left-Eye Lopes, Tamia and Eric Benét152001Shemar Moore, Mýa and Queen Latifah162002Shemar Moore, Arsenio Hall, Yolanda Adams and Faith EvansLos Angeles Memorial Sport Arena, Los Angeles, California172003Queen Latifah and Arsenio HallPasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, California182004Alicia Keys and BabyfaceInternational Cultural Center Auditorium, Los Angeles, California192005Brian McKnight, Fantasia, Nick Cannon and Nicole RichieParamount Studios, Los Angeles, California202006Vivica A. Fox and TyresePasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, California212007LeToya Luckett and Omarion222009Terrence Howard and Taraji P. HensonGeorgia World Congress Center, Atlanta232010Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta242011Cedric the Entertainer252012Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip262013Anthony AndersonOrleans Arena, Las Vegas272014Wendy Williams282015Erykah Badu292016302017312018Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold322019332020Held Virtually342021Apollo Theater, New York City352022Deon ColeOrleans Arena, Las Vegas362023Keke PalmerHouse Party, Los Angeles372026Anthony AndersonHarris Theater, Chicago
Soul Cypher 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. A UK version of the Soul Cypher was introduced during the 2020 broadcast.
Year Artists Instrumental Beat2015Lalah Hathaway, Eddie Levert, Chrisette Michele & K-CiMobb Deep – "Shook Ones Pt. 1"2016Gladys Knight, Ne-Yo, Angie Stone & TyreseBryson Tiller – "Don't"2017Bilal, Faith Evans, Fantasia & Mali Music The Isley Brothers – "Footsteps in the Dark (Part 1 & 2)"2018BJ the Chicago Kid, Luke James, Queen Naija & Kelly PricePatti LaBelle – "If Only You Knew"2019Keyshia Cole, Anthony Hamilton, Le'Andria Johnson & Carl ThomasRobert Glasper – "Impromptu Medley"2020Chanté Moore, PJ Morton, Shanice & Stokley Erykah Badu – "Love of My Life"2021Tone Stith, Koryn Hawthorne, Jac Ross, Elle Varner, & Musiq SoulchildAaliyah – "Rock the Boat"
UK Soul Cypher Year Artists Instrumental Beat2020Hamzaa, Jvck James, Sinéad Harnett & Shae UniverseD'Angelo – "Lady"2021Nao, Ray BLK, SIPHO., Pip Millett, Jamilah Barry & MneliaAaliyah – "Rock the Boat"
Award categories Main awards
Album of the Year Video of the Year Song of the Year The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award Best New Artist Rhythm & Bars Award Best R&B/Soul Male Artist Best R&B/Soul Female Artist Best Dance Performance Best Gospel/Inspirational Song Best Collaboration Certified Award, formerly Centric Award
Defunct award categories
Best Gospel Album Best Gospel Album – Group or Band Best Gospel Album – Solo Best Jazz Album Best Jazz Album – Group, Band or Duo Best Jazz Album – Solo Best Rap Single Best Rap Album Best R&B/Soul Album – Male Best R&B/Soul Album – Female Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band or Duo Best R&B/Soul Single – Male Best R&B/Soul Single – Female Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo The Sprite Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut
Special awards
Heritage Award for Career Achievement 1987: Stevie Wonder 1988: Gladys Knight & the Pips 1989: Michael Jackson 1990: Quincy Jones 1991: Smokey Robinson 1992: Prince 1993: Eddie Murphy 1994: Barry White 1995: Diana Ross 1996: Patti LaBelle
Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements 1997: Curtis Mayfield 1998: Whitney Houston 1999: Luther Vandross 2001: The Isley Brothers 2002: The O'Jays 2003: LL Cool J 2005: Ice Cube 2007: Jermaine Dupri
Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements – Male 2004: R. Kelly 2006: Jamie Foxx
Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements – Female 2004: Janet Jackson 2006: Destiny's Child
Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year 1989: Michael Jackson 1990: Arsenio Hall 1991: M.C. Hammer 1992: Janet Jackson 1993: En Vogue 1994: Whitney Houston 1995: Queen Latifah 1996: Boyz II Men 1997: Babyface 1998: Puff Daddy 2006: John Legend 2007: Jennifer Hudson 2009: Michael Jackson
Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year – Male 1999: R. Kelly 2000: DMX 2001: Jay Z 2002: Dr. Dre 2003: Nelly 2004: OutKast 2005: Usher
Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year – Female 1999: Lauryn Hill 2000: Mary J. Blige 2001: Destiny's Child 2002: Alicia Keys 2003: Mariah Carey 2004: Beyoncé 2005: Ciara
Artist of the Decade for Extraordinary Artistic Achievements – Male 2000: Prince
Artist of the Decade for Extraordinary Artistic Achievements – Female 2000: Whitney Houston
Humanitarian Award 1993: Michael Jackson
Stevie Wonder Award for Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting 2006: R. Kelly 2007: Babyface
Legend Award – Male 2009: Charlie Wilson 2010: Ron Isley 2011: Earth Wind & Fire
Legend Award – Female 2009: Chaka Khan 2010: Anita Baker 2011: Gladys Knight
Lifetime Achievement Award 2012: New Edition 2013: Keith Sweat
Legend Award 2013: Dionne Warwick 2014: Kool and the Gang 2015: Babyface 2016: Teddy Riley 2017: Toni Braxton 2018: Erykah Badu 2019: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis 2021: Maxwell 2022: Morris Day & the Time 2023: T-Pain
Lady of Soul Award 2015: Jill Scott 2016: Brandy 2017: SWV 2018: Faith Evans 2019: Yolanda Adams 2020: Monica 2021: Ashanti 2022: Xscape
Spirit of Soul Award 2023: Janelle Monáe
Most awarded artists Artist(s) No. of winsAs of 2022 award ceremony Beyoncé 25 Chris Brown 14 Bruno Mars Alicia Keys12 UsherBabyface11 Janet Jackson R. Kelly Michael Jackson 10 Kirk Franklin8 Whitney Houston Anita Baker7 Mary J. Blige John Legend Erykah Badu6 Mariah Carey Maxwell SZA Cardi B5 Boyz II Men Ciara H.E.R. Lauryn Hill The Isley Brothers TLC Toni Braxton4 Destiny's Child Drake Jamie Foxx Jay Z Lil Wayne Pharrell Williams B2K3 Brandy Natalie Cole D'Angelo En Vogue Lizzo LL Cool J Ella Mai Mary Mary Miguel Musiq Soulchild Missy Elliott Najee Nelly New Edition OutKast Rihanna Jill Scott Soul II Soul Tyga Luther Vandross Kanye West Barry White The Winans Wizkid 2Pac2 Gregory Abbott Yolanda Adams Ashanti Tamar Braxton Daniel Caesar Cameo Dr. Dre Faith Evans Fat Joe French Montana Kenny G Johnny Gill Dru Hill Keri Hilson Jagged Edge Jodeci Quincy Jones Gladys Knight Lecrae Ledisi LeVert Remy Ma Donnie McClurkin Janelle Monáe The Notorious B.I.G. Sean Paul Prince Puff Daddy Mark Ronson Kelly Rowland Run–D.M.C. Trey Songz Jazmine Sullivan T.I. Robin Thicke The Weeknd BeBe & CeCe Winans
References
External links Soul Train Awards Official Site Soul Train Official Site