2016 Soul Train Music Awards Highlights and Winners List

buzzz worthy. . .

Brandy performs at the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards.

Recorded at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 6, The Soul Train Music Awards aired on BET Sunday night. The night was filled with surprises, such as a song that was scarcely played on Urban AC radio, Adele's  "Hello," winning Song of the Year. The Aaron Hall appearance in the tribute to Teddy Riley was the focus of internet chatter.   Hall's vocals are apparently not as polished as fans are accustomed to and the onece toned,  although slender built singer, appeared frail. "Lady of Soul" honoree Brandy moment in the spotlight received positive buzz.  From Erykah Badu lighting up the opener to her contribution to the "Soul Cypher" segment and duet with India Arie, the show's host struck a postive chord with viewers. 

Teddy Riley accepts legends award at the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards.

This year's performers included Brandy, Anderson .Paak, Bobby Brown, D.R.A.M. MA$E, DRU HILL, Doug E Fresh, India Arie, BJ The Chicago Kid, Guy, Candice Boyd, Carl Thomas, Eric Benét, MAJOR., Ro James, Tito Jackson, V. Bozeman, Wreckx-n-Effect, and Yuna.

with an amazing medley of 90s R&B jams including “Tell Me,” “In My Bed,” and “Beauty.” Dru Hill lead singer Sisqó then performed his mega-hit “Thong Song,” getting the entire crowd up out of their seats - including Teyana Taylor who knew every word!

Erykah Badu, ever the ethereal visionary, made her grand entrance during a glow-in-the-dark performance followed by her laugh-out-loud futuristic opening monologue where she touched on everything from Trump to alien life. The Queen of Soul revealed her recent time traveling adventures, saying “The future is black; forget the Jetsons, it’ll be more like the Jeffersons.” In addition to her hosting duties, Erykah also hit the stage to perform. First with singer/rapper D.R.A.M., performing their recently released song, “WiFi.” and later bringing out her “sister of soul”, India Arie, to sing their spirited, message-driven song “Breathe.”   

For the second year, the awards unveiled a powerful “Soul Cypher” featuring a mix of legendary and contemporary R&B and soul singers coming together. Badu DJed the cypher while Tyrese,Ne-Yo, Angie Stone and the Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight performed raw versions of their songs.

Brandy was presented with the Lady of Soul Award following a heartfelt speech from 2015 honoree Jill Scott and a special tribute video from industry’s top executives and artists such as Kenny “BabyFace” Edmonds, Jazmine Sullivan, Jhene Aiko and more, who spoke to Brandy’s dedication, creativity and vocal prowess.Brandy then blew the crowd away with a full dance and stunning vocal performance of her most beloved hits including “Almost Doesn’t Count,” “What About Us,” “Full Moon,” “I Wanna Be Down,” “The Boy Is Mine,” “Talk About Our Love,” “Have You Ever,” and “Sitting On Top Of The World,” joined by MA$E.

Cedric ‘The Entertainer’ presented Teddy Riley with the night’s highly regarded Legend Award honoring the prolific singer-songwriter and producer for his tremendous influence in soul culture and music. Teddy Riley was welcomed to the stage with a standing ovation and roaring round of applause. He celebrated with R&B and soul superstars Bobby Brown, Doug E. Fresh, Guy, Wreckx-N-Effect, V. Bozeman and Tito Jackson.

2016 SOUL TRAIN MUSIC AWARDS WINNERS

Best New Artist
Anderson .Paak
Andra Day
Bryson Tiller
Chance The Rapper -- WINNER
Ro James
Tory Lanez

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Anthony Hamilton
Bryson Tiller

Maxwell -- WINNER

The Weeknd
Usher

Centric Certified Award
After 7

Anderson .Paak -- WINNER

Bilal
Lalah Hathaway
Musiq Soulchild

Video of the Year
Beyoncé, “Formation” -- WINNER
Beyoncé, “Sorry”
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
Kanye West, “Fade”
Rihanna feat. Drake, “Work”

Best Gospel/Inspirational Song
Donnie McClurkin, “I Need You”
Hezekiah Walker, “Better”

Kirk Franklin, “123 Victory” -- WINNER
Tamela Mann, “God Provides”
Travis Greene, “Made A Way”

Album/Mixtape of the Year
Beyoncé, Lemonade -- WINNER
Bryson Tiller, T R A P S O U L
DJ Khaled, Major Key
Drake, Views
Kanye West, The Life of Pablo
Rihanna, Anti

Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year)
Chance the Rapper feat. Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz, “No Problem”
DJ Khaled feat. Drake, “For Free”
Drake, “Controlla”
Drake feat. Wizkid and Kyla, “One Dance”

Fat Joe & Remy Ma feat. French Montana and Infared, “All the Way Up” -- WINNER

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
Alicia Keys

Beyoncé -- WINNER
Fantasia
Jill Scott
Rihanna

Song of the Year
Adele, “Hello”

Beyoncé, “Formation” -- WINNER
Bryson Tiller, “Don’t”
Drake, “Controlla”
Rihanna feat. Drake, “Work”

The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Hello," written by Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, Gregory Allen Kurstin (Adele)

“Rise Up," written by Andra Day, Jennifer Decilveo (Andra Day) -- WINNER
“Formation," written by Michael L. Williams Li, Beyoncé Knowles, Khalif Brown, Aaquil Brown, Asheton Hogan, (Beyoncé)
“Don’t," written by Johntá M. Austin, Mariah Carey, Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Tavoris Javon Hollins, Isom Brandon Stewart, Bryson Dejuan Tiller (Bryson Tiller)
“Needed Me," written by Nicholas Valentino Audino, Rachel Derrus, Adam King Feeney, Robyn R. Fenty, Brittany Talia Hazzard, Charles Hinshaw Jr., Lewis Beresford Hughes, Dijon Isaiah Mcfarlane, Khaled Rohaim, Te Whiti Te Rangitepaia Mataa Warbick (Rihanna)

Best Dance Performance
Beyoncé, “Formation”
Drake, “Hotline Bling”
Kanye West (Dance Performance feat. Teyana Taylor) – “Fade” -- WINNER
Rihanna feat. Drake, “Work”
Usher feat. Young Thug, “No Limit”

Best Collaboration
Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Freedom”
Chance the Rapper feat. Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz, “No Problem”
DJ Khaled feat. Drake, “For Free”

Fat Joe & Remy Ma feat. French Montana and Infared, “All The Way Up” -- WINNER
Rihanna feat. Drake, “Work”