BET Soul Train Awards 2023, Categories, Nominees and More
by S Samayanka
Updated Nov 27, 2023
Soul Train Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards show that celebrates and recognizes outstanding achievements in African-American culture, music, and entertainment. Produced by the creators of the iconic Soul Train television program, the awards showcase performances by contemporary R&B and soul artists, making it a platform for some of the industry's top talents.
Traditionally held in February, March, or April, the awards show now airs during the last weekend of November, often coinciding with Thanksgiving weekend. The selection process involves a voting body comprising professionals in radio programming, music retail, management, and recording artists who've had chart-topping records in designated music trade publications the year before.
The show has seen renowned hosts like Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, and Will Smith, and it features a distinctive award trophy with an African ceremonial mask, introduced in 1987. Over the years, it has played a significant role in recognizing and celebrating the contributions of African-American artists to the music industry.
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BET Soul Train Awards 2023
The BET Soul Train Awards 2023 is an annual event that celebrates the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop music. It features nominations across various categories, with leading artists like Summer Walker, SZA, and Usher earning nine nods each. The awards show takes place at a new location in Los Angeles, aiming to transform the traditional ceremony into an unforgettable Soulful Party in Hollywood. The event promises electrifying performances, special moments, and appearances by influential figures in Black culture and entertainment. It serves as a platform to honor the impact of Soul Train on music and dance, spanning from the '70s to today.
BET Soul Train Awards 2023 Categories
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
S.No
Award Category
BET Soul Train Awards 2023 Nominees
BEST NEW ARTIST
- Ambré
- Ayra Starr
- Coco Jones
- Doechii
- Flo
- Fridayy
- Tyla
- WanMor
CERTIFIED SOUL AWARD
- Anthony Hamilton
- Ashanti
- Ciara
- Eric Bellinger
- Monica
- PJ Morton
- Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
- T-Pain
- Usher
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
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
Where was the 2023 Soul Train Awards Held?
The 2023 Soul Train Awards, which premiered on November 26. SZA dominated the event, winning four awards, including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist and Album of the Year for "SOS." Usher secured three awards, and Victoria Monét earned two.
Notable snubs included Burna Boy, Chris Brown, and Janelle Monáe. 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, and fans can catch encore presentations on BET and international broadcasts.
Soul Train Awards Winner List
Category
Winner
Album of the Year
SOS, SZA
Song of the Year
“Snooze,” SZA
Video of the Year
“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét
Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
SZA
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Usher
Best Group
Maverick City Music
Best Collaboration
“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage
Best New Artist
Coco Jones
Certified Soul Award
Usher
Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Snooze,” SZA
Best Dance Performance
“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét
Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
“All Things,” Kirk Franklin
BET Soul Train Awards 2023 Premiere Date
The "BET Soul Train Awards 2023" is set to make 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, will be hosted at a fresh location in Los Angeles, CA. The 2023 edition promises to be a unique and unforgettable experience, as it aims to revamp the traditional award show format into a soulful party in Hollywood.
Where to Watch BET Soul Train Awards 2023?
You can watch the BET Soul Train Awards 2023 on BET and BET Her. The awards ceremony will be televised on November 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT, so be sure to tune in to catch the exciting performances, see the winners announced, and celebrate the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop music.
It's a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a night of music and entertainment, recognizing the incredible talent and contributions of artists in these genres. So, mark your calendar and get ready to watch the show on these channels to be part of this celebration.
BET Soul Train Awards 2023 - FAQs
The awards will premiere on Sunday, November 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her.
It celebrates the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop music.
Nominees are selected by a voting body of music industry professionals and recording artists with chart-topping records from designated publications.
Past hosts include Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith, and more.
The trophy features an African ceremonial mask and has been a symbol of excellence in the industry since 1987.