The BET Soul Train Awards 2023: A Spectacular Celebration of Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop
The BET Soul Train Awards 2023 is all set to be a dazzling celebration of Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop music, featuring some of the top artists in the industry. Scheduled to air on November 26 at 8 p.m., this event promises to be a night to remember.
Soul Train Awards: Celebrating African-American Excellence
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual event that pays tribute to exceptional achievements in African-American culture, music, and entertainment. Produced by the creators of the iconic Soul Train television program, these awards serve as a platform for contemporary R&B and soul artists to showcase their talents, making it a significant event in the music industry.
Traditionally held in February, March, or April, the awards show has now found a new home during the last weekend of November, often coinciding with Thanksgiving weekend. The selection process involves a voting body consisting of professionals in radio programming, music retail, management, and recording artists with chart-topping records in designated music trade publications from the previous year.
Over the years, the show has been hosted by renowned figures such as Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, and Will Smith. One of its distinct features is the award trophy, which showcases an African ceremonial mask, introduced in 1987. The Soul Train Music Awards has played a pivotal role in acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of African-American artists to the music industry.
BET Soul Train Awards 2023: A New Era
The BET Soul Train Awards 2023 is an annual extravaganza dedicated to honoring the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop music. This year’s nominations span across various categories, with leading artists such as Summer Walker, SZA, and Usher earning an impressive nine nods each. The awards show is set in a new location in Los Angeles, with the aim of transforming the traditional ceremony into an unforgettable Soulful Party in Hollywood. Attendees can look forward to electrifying performances, special moments, and appearances by influential figures in Black culture and entertainment. It serves as a platform to pay tribute to the enduring impact of Soul Train on music and dance, spanning from the ’70s to the present day.
BET Soul Train Awards 2023 Categories
S.No |
Award Category |
| 1 | BEST NEW ARTIST |
| 2 | CERTIFIED SOUL AWARD |
| 3 | BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD |
| 4 | BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST |
| 5 | BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST |
| 6 | ALBUM OF THE YEAR |
| 7 | SONG OF THE YEAR |
| 8 | THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER’S AWARD |
| 9 | BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE |
| 10 | VIDEO OF THE YEAR |
| 11 | BEST GROUP |
| 12 | BEST COLLABORATION |
BET Soul Train Awards 2023 Nominees
The BET Soul Train Awards 2023 features nominations in several categories, including:
BEST NEW ARTIST
- Ambré
- Ayra Starr
- Coco Jones
- Doechii
- Flo
- Fridayy
- Tyla
- WanMor
BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
| Song Title | Artist(s) |
|---|---|
| “All the Glory” | Shirley Caesar |
| “All Things” | Kirk Franklin |
| “Came Too Far” | Fridayy featuring Maverick City Music & My Mom |
| “Cry” | Koryn Hawthorne |
| “Feel Alright (Blessed)” | Erica Campbell |
| “God Problems” | Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine |
| “The Journey” | H.E.R. |
| “Try Love” | Kirk Franklin |
CERTIFIED SOUL AWARD
- Anthony Hamilton
- Ashanti
- Ciara
- Eric Bellinger
- Monica
- PJ Morton
- Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
- T-Pain
- Usher
BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST
- Ari Lennox
- Beyoncé
- Coco Jones
- H.E.R.
- Janelle Monáe
- Summer Walker
- SZA
- Victoria Monét
BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST
- 6lack
- Babyface
- Brent Faiyaz
- Burna Boy
- Chris Brown
- Eric Bellinger
- October London
- Usher
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
| Album | Artist |
|---|---|
| The Age of Pleasure | Janelle Monáe |
| Age/Sex/Location | Ari Lennox |
| Clear 2: Soft Life EP | Summer Walker |
| Girls Night Out (Extended) | Babyface |
| I Told Them… | Burna Boy |
| Jaguar II | Victoria Monét |
| SOS | SZA |
| What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe) | Coco Jones |
SONG OF THE YEAR
| Song Title | Artist(s) |
|---|---|
| “Back to Your Place” | October London |
| “Favorite Song” | Toosii |
| “Good Good” | Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage |
| “ICU” | Coco Jones |
| “Kill Bill” | SZA |
| “Lipstick Lover” | Janelle Monáe |
| “On My Mama” | Victoria Monét |
| “Snooze” | SZA |
THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER’S AWARD
| Song Title | Artists | Songwriters |
|---|---|---|
| “Back to Your Place” | October London | October London |
| “Favorite Song” | Toosii | Toosii, Adelso Sicaju, and Tatiana Manaois |
| “Good Good” | Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage | Usher, 21 Savage, Paul Dawson, Melvin Hough II, Caleb Ishman, Rafael Ishman, Jaylyn Denaie MacDonald, Tauren Stovall, Keith Thomas, and Rivelino Wouter |
| “ICU” | Coco Jones | Coco Jones, Darhyl Camper Jr., Raymond Komba, and Roy Keisha Rockette |
| “Kill Bill” | SZA | SZA, Rob Bisel, and Carter Lang |
| “On My Mama” | Victoria Monét | Victoria Monét, Dernst Emile II, Jeff Gitelman, Kyla Moscovich, Jamil Pierre, and Charles Williams |
| “Sittin’ on Top of the World” | Burna Boy featuring 21 Savage | Burna Boy, 21 Savage, Fred Jerkins III, Isaac Phillips, LaShawn Daniels, Mason Betha, Matthieu Le Carpentier, Nycolia “Tye-V” Turman, Rodney Jerkins, and Traci Hale |
| “Snooze” | SZA | SZA, Babyface, Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes, and Leon Thomas |
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE
| Song Title | Artists |
|---|---|
| “Better Thangs” | Ciara featuring Summer Walker |
| “Boyfriend” | Usher |
| “Good Good” | Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage |
| “How We Roll” | Ciara & Chris Brown |
| “On My Mama” | Victoria Monét |
| “Snooze” | SZA |
| “Summer Too Hot” | Chris Brown |
| “Under the Influence” | Chris Brown |
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
| Song Title | Artist(s) |
|---|---|
| “Back to Your Place” | October London |
| “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2” | PinkPantheress & Ice Spice |
| “Boyfriend” | Usher |
| “Good Good” | Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage |
| “ICU” | Coco Jones |
| “Kill Bill” | SZA |
| “Lipstick Lover” | Janelle Monáe |
| “On My Mama” | Victoria Monét |
| “Special” | Lizzo |
BEST GROUP
- DVSN
- Flo
- Jagged Edge
- Kool & The Gang
- Maverick City Music
- Phony Ppl
- Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
- Tank and the Bangas
- WanMor
BEST COLLABORATION
| Song Title | Artists |
|---|---|
| “America Has a Problem (Remix)” | Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar |
| “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2” | PinkPantheress & Ice Spice |
| “Creepin’ (Remix)” | Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage & Diddy |
| “Fly Girl” | Flo featuring Missy Elliott |
| “Good Good” | Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage |
| “Sittin’ on Top of the World” | Burna Boy featuring 21 Savage |
| “Special (Remix)” | Lizzo featuring SZA |
| “To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)” | Summer Walker & J. Cole |
Highlights of the 2023 Soul Train Awards
The 2023 Soul Train Awards premiered on November 26, and it was a night to remember. SZA was the standout artist, winning four awards, including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist and Album of the Year for “SOS.” Usher secured three awards, while Victoria Monét earned two.
However, there were notable snubs, with artists like Burna Boy, Chris Brown, and Janelle Monáe not receiving any awards. The renamed Spirit of Soul Award was presented to nonbinary artist Janelle Monáe, while T-Pain received the Legend Award. The ceremony, hosted by Keke Palmer, celebrated the diversity and inclusivity of this year’s recipients. Fans can catch encore presentations on BET and international broadcasts.
Premiere Date and Location
The “BET Soul Train Awards 2023” made its grand premiere on Sunday, November 26, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her. This annual awards show, known for its celebration of the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop, was hosted at a fresh location in Los Angeles, CA. The 2023 edition aimed to revamp the traditional award show format into a soulful party in Hollywood.
Where to Watch BET Soul Train Awards 2023
You can catch the BET Soul Train Awards 2023 on BET and BET Her. The awards ceremony was televised on November 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, offering viewers the chance to enjoy exciting performances, witness the announcement of winners, and celebrate the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop music. It’s an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a night of music and entertainment, recognizing the incredible talent and contributions of artists in these genres. Be sure to mark your calendar and tune in to these channels to be part of this celebration.
BET Soul Train Awards 2023 – Frequently Asked Questions
- When and where did the BET Soul Train Awards 2023 premiere? The awards premiered on Sunday, November 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her.
- What does the BET Soul Train Awards 2023 celebrate? It celebrates the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop music.
- How are the nominees for the Soul Train Awards selected? Nominees are selected by a voting body of music industry professionals and recording artists with chart-topping records from designated publications.
- Who have been some renowned hosts for the Soul Train Music Awards in the past? Past hosts include Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith, and more.
- What is the significance of the Soul Train Music Awards trophy? The trophy features an African ceremonial mask and has been a symbol of excellence in the industry since 1987.
Now, get ready to enjoy the BET Soul Train Awards 2023 and celebrate the remarkable talent in the world of Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop music.
