‘Soul Train Awards’ to Honor Maxwell + Ashanti | Nominations Announced

BET has announced three-time GRAMMY® award-winning singer/songwriter and producer Maxwell will receive the “Legend” award at the 2021 “Soul Train Awards”.

Award-winning and multiplatinum singer/songwriter, actor, entrepreneur and author Ashanti will be the recipient of the “Lady of Soul” honor. The 2021 “Soul Train Awards” premieres Sunday, November 28 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and BET Her.

“It’s an honor to be presented with the Legend award by a community that’s been growing with me throughout my career,” stated Maxwell. “I’m so grateful to be sharing this moment with everyone and returning to the Apollo for an evening of excellence.”

“I’m honored to be recognized as this year’s ‘Lady of Soul’ honoree,” said Ashanti. “This is a full circle moment for me because I received the ‘Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year’ Award at the Lady of Soul Awards in 2002. As we commemorate 50 years of Soul Train, I’m proud to be a part of this legacy and to return to the Apollo to celebrate.”

Dynamic best-friend duo Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold will return as co-hosts of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards,” bringing their irreplaceable energy and hilarious comedic talents to this year’s show.

Additionally, BET has released the official nominations for the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” recognizing the best in Soul and R&B, which will also celebrate Soul Train’s 50th Anniversary.

H.E.R. leads the nominations with an impressive eight nods for ‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award (x2),’ ‘Best Collaboration (x2),’ and ‘Video of the Year’.

Jazmine Sullivan and Chris Brown garnered the second most nods with six nominations each. Jazmine Sullivan’s nods include ‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ and ‘Video of the Year’. Chris Brown’s nods include ‘Best R&B/Soul Male Artist,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,’ ‘Best Dance Performance,’ ‘Best Collaboration (x2),’ and ‘Video of the Year’.

Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette VP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy to Co-Executive Produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jesse Collins and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay will serve as Executive Producers of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards.”

The Complete List of Nominees!

BEST NEW ARTIST
BLXST
CAPELLA GREY
MORRAY
TEMS
TONE STITH
YUNG BLEU

CERTIFIED SOUL AWARD
ANTHONY HAMILTON
ASHANTI
CHARLIE WILSON
THE ISLEY BROTHERS
JAM & LEWIS
T-PAIN

BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST
ALICIA KEYS
DOJA CAT
H.E.R.
JAZMINE SULLIVAN
JHENÉ AIKO
SZA

BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST
BLXST
CHRIS BROWN
GIVEON
LUCKY DAYE
TANK
USHER

BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON
JAMES FORTUNE
KELLY PRICE
KIRK FRANKLIN
MAVERICK CITY MUSIC
TASHA COBBS LEONARD

SONG OF THE YEAR
BLXST FEAT. TY DOLLA $IGN & TYGA – CHOSEN
BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC – LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
H.E.R. – DAMAGE
JAZMINE SULLIVAN – PICK UP YOUR FEELINGS
WIZ KID FEAT. TEMS – ESSENCE
YUNG BLEU FEAT. DRAKE – YOU’RE MINES STILL

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
BLXST – NO LOVE LOST
DOJA CAT – PLANET HER
GIVEON – WHEN IT’S ALL SAID AND DONE… TAKE TIME
H.E.R. – BACK OF MY MIND
JAZMINE SULLIVAN – HEAUX TALES
WIZKID – MADE IN LAGOS

THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER’S AWARD
CAN’T LET IT SHOW – WRITTEN BY: KATE BUSH, DURRELL BABBS (TANK)
COME THROUGH – WRITTEN BY: CARL MCCORMICK, CHRIS BROWN, H.E.R., KELVIN WOOTEN, MICHAEL L. WILLIAMS II, TIARA THOMAS (H.E.R. FEAT. CHRIS BROWN)
DAMAGE – WRITTEN BY: ANTHONY CLEMONS JR., CARL MCCORMICK, H.E.R., JAMES HARRIS, JEFF GITELMAN, TERRY LEWIS, TIARA THOMAS (H.E.R.)
ESSENCE – WRITTEN BY: AYODEJI IBRAHIM BALOGUN, ONIKO EDDIE UZEZI, ONIKO EVAWERO, RICHARD ISONG, TEMILADE OPENIYI (WIZKID FEAT. TEMS)
LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN – WRITTEN BY: BRUNO MARS, BRANDON ANDERSON, DERNST EMILE II, CHRISTOPHER BRODY BROWN (BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC)
PICK UP YOUR FEELINGS – WRITTEN BY: BLUE JUNE, CHI, AUDRA MAE BUTTS, JAZMINE SULLIVAN, KYLE COLEMAN, MICHAEL HOLMES (JAZMINE SULLIVAN)

BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE
CHLOE X HALLE – UNGODLY HOUR
CHRIS BROWN, YOUNG THUG – CITY GIRLS
LIZZO FEAT. CARDI B – RUMORS
NORMANI FEAT. CARDI B- WILD SIDE
USHER – BAD HABITS

BEST COLLABORATION
CHRIS BROWN, YOUNG THUG FEAT. FUTURE, LIL DURK, LATTO – GO CRAZY (REMIX)
DOJA CAT FEAT. SZA – KISS ME MORE
H.E.R. FEAT. CHRIS BROWN – COME THROUGH
JAZMINE SULLIVAN FEAT. H.E.R. – GIRL LIKE ME
WIZKID FEAT. TEMS – ESSENCE
YUNG BLEU FEAT. DRAKE – YOU’RE MINES STILL

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC – LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN
CHRIS BROWN, YOUNG THUG FEAT. FUTURE, LIL DURK, LATTO – GO CRAZY (REMIX)
H.E.R. – DAMAGE
JAZMINE SULLIVAN – PICK UP YOUR FEELINGS
NORMANI FEAT. CARDI B – WILD SIDE
WIZKID FEAT. TEMS – ESSENCE