The 2021 Soul Train Music Awards took place on November 28, 2021, to recognize the best in soul, R&B and Hip-Hop music. The ceremony aired on BET, BET Her, VH1 and MTV2, with actors Tisha Campbell & Tichina Arnold hosting the ceremony for the fourth time. The nominations were announced on November 2, 2021, with H.E.R. leading with eight nominations, followed by Chris Brown with seven. Maxwell was honored with the Legend Award and Ashanti was honored with the Lady of Soul Award for her contributions to the music industry.

Performances + 2021 Soul Train Music Awards performers Artist(s) Song(s) Silk Sonic “Fly as Me” "Smokin Out the Window" Ari Lennox "Pressure" Lucky Daye "Over" Fred Hammond "Yahweh" "Let the Praise Begin" Marzz "Countless Times" D-Nice Elle Varner Jac Ross Koryn Hawthorne Musiq Soulchild Tone Stith "Rock the Boat" Ashanti "Happy" "Rain on Me" "The Way That I Love You" "Baby" "What's Luv?" "Always on Time" "Foolish" Leon Bridges "Details" ELHAE "FOMO" Summer Walker "Unloyal" Maxwell "...Til the Cops Come Knockin'" "Bad Habits" "Lifetime" "Sumthin' Sumthin'" "OFF'" "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)"

Special awards Honorees are as listed below:

Legend Award Maxwell

Lady of Soul Award Ashanti

Winners and nominees Winners are listed below.

Best New Artist Yung Bleu Blxst Capella Grey Morray Tems Tone Stith

Soul Train Certified Award Charlie Wilson Anthony Hamilton Ashanti Isley Brothers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis T-Pain

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist Jazmine Sullivan Alicia Keys Doja Cat H.E.R. Jhené Aiko SZA

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist Giveon Blxst Chris Brown Lucky Daye Tank Usher

Best Gospel/Inspirational Award Kirk Franklin Brian Courtney Wilson James Fortune Kelly Price Maverick City Music Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Song of the Year Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) – "Leave the Door Open" Blxst – "Chosen" H.E.R. – "Damage" Jazmine Sullivan – "Pick Up Your Feelings" Wizkid – "Essence" Yung Bleu – "You're Mines Still"

Album of the Year 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

The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) – "Leave the Door Open" Written by Bruno Mars, Brandon Anderson, Dernst Emile II, Christopher Brody Brown H.E.R. – "Come Through" Written by Carl McCormick, Chris Brown, H.E.R., Kelvin Wooten, Michael L. Williams II, Tiara Thomas H.E.R. – "Damage" Written by Anthony Clemons Jr., Carl McCormick, H.E.R., James Harris, Jeff Gitelman, Terry Lewis, Tiara Thomas Jazmine Sullivan – "Pick Up Your Feelings" Written by Blue June, Chi, Audra Mae Butts, Jazmine Sullivan, Kyle Coleman, Michael Holmes Tank – "Can't Let It Show" Written by Kate Bush, Durrell Babbs Wizkid – "Essence" Written by Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Uzezi Oniko, Okiemute Oniko, Richard Isong, Temilade Openiyi

Best Dance Performance Normani – "Wild Side" Chloe x Halle – "Ungodly Hour" Chris Brown & Young Thug – "City Girls" Lizzo – "Rumors" Usher – "Bad Habits"

Best Collaboration Wizkid – "Essence" Chris Brown & Young Thug – "Go Crazy" Doja Cat – "Kiss Me More" H.E.R. – "Come Through" Jazmine Sullivan – "Girl Like Me" Yung Bleu – "You're Mines Still"

Video of the Year Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) – "Leave the Door Open" Chris Brown & Young Thug – "Go Crazy" H.E.R. – "Damage" Jazmine Sullivan – "Pick Up Your Feelings" Normani – "Wild Side" Wizkid – "Essence"

References