Soul Train Music Awards
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Soul Train Music Awards | |
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Current: 2016 Soul Train Music Awards | |
Description | Outstanding achievements in: Soul Music R&B Gospel Jazz Hip Hop |
Country | United States |
First awarded | March 23, 1987 |
Website | BET: Soul Train Awards |
Television/radio coverage | |
Network | WGN America (1987-2007) First Run Syndication (1987-2007) Centric (2009-present) |
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 Soul recording artists interspersed throughout the ceremonies. The special traditionally used to air in either February, March or April, but now airs 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 for the show include such R&B luminaries as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, 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. A new trophy was designed by Tristan Eaton of Thunderdog Studios in 2009 and is manufactured by New York firm Society Awards. Beyoncé holds the record for the most Soul Train Awards won with 15 wins, including those won with Destiny's Child.[1]
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 was held on November 10 just outside Atlanta at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, and aired on BET and Centric on November 28.[2] The 2011 show was once again held in Atlanta and aired on BET November 27.[3] The 2012 ceremony was held on November 25 at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, airing on BET & Centric.
Soul Train Music Awards 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
- 2008 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2009 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2010 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2011 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2012 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2013 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2014 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2015 Soul Train Music Awards
- 2016 Soul Train Music Awards
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.
Award categories
- Album of the Year
- Song of the Year
- Record of the Year
- Best New Artist
- Best R&B/Soul Music Video
- Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
- Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
- Best R&B/Soul Group/Band or Duo
- Best Gospel Album
- Best Jazz Album
- Best Rap Album
- Best Independent R&B/Soul Artist or Group (added in 2012)
- Centric Certified Award
Special awards
- Quincy Jones Award for Career Achievement
- Heritage Award - Career Achievement
- Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year
- Artist of the Decade Award - for Extraordinary Artistic Achievements
- Stevie Wonder Award for Outstanding Achievements in Song Writing
- Soul Train Music Award for Legend 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