By Mona Austin
The 2019 Soul Train Awards, held in Las Vegas Sunday night, felt like a big throwback party given to salute Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The un-matched producing team perched on the front row beaming as one artist after the next paid tribute to them by performing non-stop hits. After being honored for Lifetime Achievement they performed a medley with Babyface and legendary R&B artists they produced and it was clear the respect was due. The audience stayed on their feet singing along and dancing (they even did the hussle) as the S.O.S Band, Cherelle and Alexander O'Neal, Morris Day, Jerome of the Time and members of the Sounds of Blackness burned up the stage. (There is more where that came from. The super-producers revealed they are going on tour with Babyface on the post-show with Letoya Luckett.)
In addition to the tribute performances, a hype vogue-themed opening with a nod to Janet Jackson's Rhythmn Nation and Yolanda Adams' performance were also highly satisfying.
The cutural correctness of the production made the predominantly African American audience feel like they could be a part of the experience.
Whereas BET's award show productions tend to be Hip Hop dominated, R&B and gospel were the genres of the night. Anthony Hamilton and Leandria Johnson were featured in a soul cypher where lyrics were changed to embrace Jesus. The co-hosts, actresses Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold, worked overtime to weave their talents into the show, not just host it. Their wardrobe changes, performances and sense of humor heightened the exuberance of the show. Doubling as urbanized Vegas show girls, Yes, the hosts performed in several acts reminding everyone that their singing voices have not staled with time and being professional vocalists is still within their reach.
The full winners list for BET PRESENTS: 2019 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS is as follows:
Best New Artist – Summer Walker
Soul Train Certified Award – Trevor Jackson
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist – Khalid
Best R&B/Soul Female Artist – H.E.R
Video of the Year – Lizzo – “Juice”
Best Gospel/Inspirational Award – Kirk Franklin
Album/Mixtape of the Year – Lizzo – “Cuz I Love You”
Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year) – Cardi B – “Money”
Song of the Year – Chris Brown ft. Drake – “No Guidance”
The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award – “Brown Skin Girl” – Written by: Beyoncé Knowles, Carlos St. John, Adio Marchant, Shawn Carter, Stacy Barthe, Anathi Mnyango, Michael Uzowuru, Ayodeji Balogun, Richard Isong & Blue Ivy Carter
Best Dance Performance – Chris Brown ft. Drake – “No Guidance”
Best Collaboration Performance – Chris Brown ft. Drake – “No Guidance”