Soul Train Music Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show which previously aired in national television syndication, and honors the best in Black 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 R & B and hip hop music recording artists interspersed throughout the ceremonies.
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 for the show include such R&B luminaries as Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith, Vanessa Williams, and Gladys Knight.
The Soul Train Music Award trophy has featured an African ceremonial mask since its 1987 introduction. R&B singer Janet Jackson holds the record for the most Soul Train Awards won, followed by her brother Michael Jackson and pop singer Whitney Houston.
The 2008 ceremonies were not held due to several factors, including the 2007-2008 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 Company 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. 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 Los Angeles area. The 2010 awards will be held on November 10 just outside Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and will air on BET and Centric on November 28.[1]
Show history by year
- 1987 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1988 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1989 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1990 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1991 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1992 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1993 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1994 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1995 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1996 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1997 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1998 Soul Train Music Awards
- 1999 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2000 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2001 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2002 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2003 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2004 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2005 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2006 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2007 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2009 Soul Train Music Awards
Award categories
- Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year
- Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year
- Best New Artist
- The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video
- Best R&B/Soul Album, Female
- Best R&B/Soul Album, Male
- Best R&B/Soul Album, Group Band or Duo
- Best R&B/Soul Single, Female
- Best R&B/Soul Single, Male
- Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band or Duo
- Best Gospel Album
- Best Jazz Album
- Best Rap Album
Special awards
- Quincy Jones Award for Career Achievement
- Heritage Award - Career Achievement
- Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year
- Stevie Wonder Award for Outstanding Achievements in Song Writing
- Artist of the Decade Award - for Extraordinary Artistic Achievements
- Humanitarian Award
Defunct Award Categories
- The Sprite Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut
- Best Rap - Single
- Best Gospel Album - Solo
- Best Gospel Album - Group or Band
- Best Jazz Album - Solo
- Best Jazz Album - Group, Band or Duo
Most Wins/Nominations
- Most Wins
Rank | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Artist | Janet Jackson | Alicia Keys R. Kelly Usher (entertainer) Michael Jackson Anita Baker |
Beyonce TLC (band) Boyz II Men Mary J. Blige |
Whitney Houston Luther Vandross Erykah Badu Mariah Carey Toni Braxton Maxwell (singer) Lauryn Hill |
D'Angelo Soul II Soul Jay-Z B2K John Legend Musiq Soulchild Missy Elliott The Isley Brothers |
Total Wins | 8 wins | 6 Wins | 5 wins | 4 wins | 3 wins |
- Most Nominations
Rank | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Artist | R. Kelly Janet Jackson |
Mary J. Blige | Whitney Houston Luther Vandross |
Boyz II Men Michael Jackson |
Alicia Keys Beyonce Usher (entertainer) |
Total Nominations | 19 nominations | 18 nominations | 16 nominations | 15 nominations | 13 Nominations |