Soul Train Award Nods & Show Info

CENTRIC announces a prestigious list of nominees to be recognized in the Network’s first special, CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS SHOW. Grammy Award-winner Beyonce, R&B diva Keri Hilson, and soulful crooner Maxwell lead the pack with four nominations each. Hosted by Academy Award-nominated actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the return of the Soul Train Awards promises to be a soulful music event acknowledging R&B music’s finest. Taping at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia on Tuesday, November 3, the show will premiere on both CENTRIC and BET in a special simulcast on Sunday, November 29 at 9:00 PM*.

The show will honor the longstanding careers and musical influences of legendary artists Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, L.A. Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds in special music tributes. The special will also showcase a Motown Records 50th Anniversary musical celebration. The show will also recognize the outstanding musical work of selected artists in ten prestigious music categories and will honor the phenomenal star power and showmanship of the late Michael Jackson with the special Entertainer of the Year Award.

Featuring a star-studded lineup of performers, including Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Fantasia, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michelle, Raheem DeVaughn, Karyn White, Boyz II Men, Ledisi, Chico Debarge, Angie Stone, Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Melanie Fiona, and Johnny Gill among others, the show is guaranteed to take viewers on a soul-stirring ride. The CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS brings the Love, Peace and Soul with an unforgettable evening showcasing the present and future to celebrate the past.

The following is a complete list of nominees and categories for the CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS:

BEST NEW ARTIST

* Drake
* Jazmine Sullivan
* Keri Hilson
* Ryan Leslie
* Solange

BEST R&B/SOUL ARTIST FEMALE

* Beyonce
* Chrisette Michele
* Jennifer Hudson
* Ledisi
* Whitney Houston

BEST MALE R&B/SOUL MALE

* Charlie Wilson
* Maxwell
* Musiq Soulchild
* Raphael Saadiq
* Robin Thicke

SONG OF THE YEAR

* “God in Me” – Mary Mary
* “Pretty Wings” – Maxwell
* “Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)” – Beyonce
* “Spotlight” – Jennifer Hudson
* “Turnin Me On” – Keri Hilson/ ft Lil Wayne

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

* Beyonce – I am… Sasha Fierce (Platinum) Sony Music
* Jamie Foxx – Intuition (Platinum) J Records
* Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak (Platinum) Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
* Maxwell – Blacksummer’s Night (Gold) Sony Music
* Ne-Yo – Year of the Gentleman

RECORD OF THE YEAR (SONGWRITER AWARD)

* Beyonce – “Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)”
* Drake – “Best I ever had”
* Jamie Foxx Ft/T-Pain – “Blame it”
* Keri Hilson – “Knock You Down”
* Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”

BEST REGGAE ARTIST AWARD

* Movado
* Sean Paul
* Serani
* Taurus Riley
* Ziggy Marley

CENTRIC AWARD – SOUL APPROVED/UNDERGROUND

* Corneille
* Eric Roberson
* Laura Izibor
* Maysa
* The Knux

BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE MALE, FEMALE OR GROUP

* BeBe and CeCe Winans – “Close To You”
* Fred Hammond f/John P Kee – “They That Wait”
* Marvin Sapp – “Praise Him in Advance”
* Mary Mary – “God In Me”
* Smokie Norful – “Justified”

BEST COLLABORATION

* Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock you Down”
* Keyshia Cole featuring Monica – “Trust”
* Mario featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett – “Break up”
* Mary Mary featuring Kierra (KiKi) Sheard – “God In Me”
* Trey Songz featuring Drake – “Successful”

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

* Michael Jackson