Season 23
The Soul Train Awards is an annual American award show which honours 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 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.
The 2010 Soul Train Awards took place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, 11 November 2010 and were filmed for broadcast on BET worldwide. They aired in the USA on BET on Sunday 28 November, 2010.
The 23rd Soul Train Awards aired in South Africa for the first time on TopTV's BET channel on Saturday 4 December 2010, at 22h00. The broadcast began with a build-up show at 21h00, with the ceremony at 22h00.
Rebroadcast
Sunday 12 December: 22h00
Synopsis
The awards were first launched in 1987 and tribute the best in black entertainment and music in the categories of R&B, soul, rap, jazz, and gospel.
They've happened annually since 1987, except for in 2008, when they were postponed for various reasons, including the Hollywood writers strike which resulted in the derailing of various shows and ceremonies.
The hosts for this year's ceremony are actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, who also hosted the 2009 awards.
2010 Performers
R. Kelly opened the show. Also performing were:
Ne-Yo
Cee-lo
Keyshia Cole
Rick Ross
Erykah Badu
Eric Benet
Chrisette Michele
Lalah Hathaway
Faith Evans
Janelle Monae
Gyptian
Freddie Jackson
Jeffrey Osborne
Tamia
Tank
2010 Nominees
Best New Artist
Melanie Fiona
B.o.B.
Nicki Minaj
Dondria
Wale
Best R&B/Soul Artist Female
Alicia Keys
Erykah Badu
Monica
Fantasia
Mary J. Blige
Best R&B/Soul Male
Usher
Kem
Trey Songz
Ne-Yo
Jaheim
Song Of The Year
"Everything to Me" - Monica
"There Goes My Baby" - Usher
"Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" - Alicia Keys
"Soldier of Love" - Sade
"Nothing on You" - B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars
Album Of The Year
Alicia Keys- The Element of Freedom
Usher - Raymond v. Raymond
Sade - Soldier of Love
Drake- Thank Me Later
Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh
Record Of The Year (Songwriter's Award)
Fantasia - "Bittersweet"
El DeBarge - "Second Chance"
Drake - "Find Your Love"
R. Kelly - "When a Woman Loves"
Alicia Keys - "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)"
Best Dance Performance
Rihanna - "Rude Boy"
Ne-Yo - "Beautiful Monster"
Usher - "OMG"
Janelle Monae feat. Big Boi - "Tightrope"
Ciara - "Ride"
Best Hip Hop Song
Eminem feat. Rihanna - "Love the Way You Lie"
Rick Ross feat. Styles P. - "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)"
Nicki Minaj - "Your Love"
Drake - "Find Your Love"
Big Boi feat. Cutty - "Shutterbugg"
T.I. feat. Keri Hilson - "I Got Your Back"
Centric Award (Underground R&B/Soul)
Jesse Boykins III
Dwele
Dondria
Corinne Bailey Rae
Janelle Monae
Best Reggae Artist
Gyptian
Damian Marley
Mr. Vegas
Jah Cure
Vybz Kartel
Gramps Morgan
Best Gospel Performance
Youthful Praise feat. J.J. Harrison
Fred Hammond
Marvin Sapp
Lisa Page Brooks
Hezekiah Walker & LFC
Tye Tribbett
This year's Legends Awards - the special recognition awards - go to Anita Baker and Ron Isley.