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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).

Quick Facts Awarded for, Country ...
Soul Train Music Awards
Current: 2023 Soul Train Music Awards
Awarded forOutstanding achievements in:
Soul music, Contemporary R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Reggae and Hip Hop
CountryUnited States
First awardedMarch 23, 1987; 37 years ago (1987-03-23)
WebsiteBET: Soul Train Awards
Television/radio coverage
NetworkWGN America (1987–2007)
First Run Syndication (1987–2007)
BET (2009–present)
Centric/BET Her (2009–present)
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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 include such R&B luminaries as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams, 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]

Quick Facts Award, Winner ...
Most recent Soul Train Music Awards winners
 2022 November 26, 2023 2024 
  Thumb Thumb
Award Album of the Year Song of the Year
Winner SZA
SOS
SZA
"Snooze"
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Award Record of the Year Best New Artist
Winner SZA
"Snooze"
Coco Jones
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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 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.

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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.

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Ceremonies

More information #, Date ...
# Date Host Venue
01 1987 Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
02 1988 Dionne Warwick
03 1989 Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle and Ahmad Rashad Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
04 1990 Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle and Luther Vandross
05 1991
06 1992 Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross, Will Smith and Vanessa Williams
07 1993 Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross and Natalie Cole
08 1994 Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Johnny Gill
09 1995 Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker and Babyface
10 1996 Brandy, LL Cool J and Anita Baker
11 1997 Brandy, LL Cool J and Gladys Knight
12 1998 Patti LaBelle, Heavy D and Erykah Badu
13 1999 Tyra Banks, Monica and Brian McKnight
14 2000 Shemar Moore, Lisa "Left-Eye Lopes, Tamia and Eric Benét
15 2001 Shemar Moore, Mýa and Queen Latifah
16 2002 Shemar Moore, Arsenio Hall, Yolanda Adams and Faith Evans Los Angeles Memorial Sport Arena, Los Angeles, California
17 2003 Queen Latifah and Arsenio Hall Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, California
18 2004 Alicia Keys and Babyface International Cultural Center Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
19 2005 Brian McKnight, Fantasia, Nick Cannon and Nicole Richie Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, California
20 2006 Vivica A. Fox and Tyrese Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, California
21 2007 LeToya Luckett and Omarion
22 2009 Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta
23 2010 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta
24 2011 Cedric the Entertainer
25 2012 Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip
26 2013 Anthony Anderson Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
27 2014 Wendy Williams
28 2015 Erykah Badu
29 2016
30 2017
31 2018 Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold
32 2019
33 2020 Held Virtually
34 2021 Apollo Theater, New York City[6]
35 2022 Deon Cole Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
36 2023 Keke Palmer House Party, Los Angeles
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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.[7] A UK version of the Soul Cypher was introduced during the 2020 broadcast.

UK Soul Cypher

More information Year, Artists ...
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"
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Award categories

Main awards

Special awards

Defunct award categories

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Special awards

Most awarded artists

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References

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