The 2023 Soul Train Awards aired on Sunday night (Nov. 26) on BET. Hosted by Keke Palmer, the ceremony was taped outdoors at a mansion in Los Angeles, California.
Janelle Monáe, who opened the show with an electrifying performance, received the Spirit of Soul Award for their outstanding contributions to music, film, fashion, and advocacy.
“Janelle is one of the most talented forces in the entertainment industry, and an equally impactful change agent for Black LGBTQIA+ people to see themselves fully reflected across platforms. We are thrilled to honor Janelle’s talents on soul music’s biggest stage, Soul Train Awards,” Connie Orlando, BET’s executive vice president of specials, music programming and music strategy, said in a statement.
Genre-bending artist T-Pain was honored with the Legend Award.
“When it comes to his overall approach to music as a songwriter, the genius of T-Pain stands among the most memorable and enviable in the business,” Orlando stated. “He has reshaped the fabric of the music industry, and his influence transcends generations in pop, Hip Hop, and R&B.”
During the telecast, Coco Jones won Best New Artist. It’s worth noting that Jones was also nominated for this same award at the 2022 Soul Train Awards.
Jones was also among the lineup performers of the evening. She performed her current single “Double Back,” which samples SWV’s “Rain.” The legendary R&B group joined Jones on stage, where they sang their 1997 hit. Later during the show, Jones joined BJ The Chicago Kid to perform their collaboration, “Spend The Night,” which appears on BJ’s latest album, Gravy.
SZA won the most awards at the 2023 Soul Train Awards. The Grammy-winning singer took home four trophies, including Album of the Year for SOS.
See the full list of winners at the 2023 Soul Train Awards below.
2023 Soul Train Awards Winners
Best New Artist
- Ambré
- Ayra Starr
- Coco Jones (winner)
- 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 (winner)
Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
- Shirley Caesar – “All Of The Glory”
- Kirk Franklin – “All Things” (winner)
- Fridayy Feat. Maverick City Music & My Mom – “Came Too Far”
- Koryn Hawthorne – “Cry”
- Erica Campbell – “Feel Alright (Blessed)”
- Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine – “God Problems”
- H.E.R. – “The Journey”
- Kirk Franklin – “Try Love”
Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
- Ari Lennox
- Beyoncé
- Coco Jones
- H.E.R.
- Janelle Monáe
- Summer Walker
- SZA (winner)
- Victoria Monét
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
- 6LACK
- Babyface
- Brent Faiyaz
- Burna Boy
- Chris Brown
- Eric Bellinger
- October London
- Usher (winner)
Best Group
- dvsn
- FLO
- Jagged Edge
- Kool & The Gang
- Maverick City Music (winner)
- Phony Ppl
- Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
- Tank And The Bangas
- WanMor
Album of the Year
- Janelle Monáe, The Age Of Pleasure
- Ari Lennox, age/sex/location
- Summer Walker, CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP
- Babyface, Girls Night Out (Extended)
- Burna Boy, I Told Them…
- Victoria Monét, JAGUAR II
- SZA, SOS (winner)
- Coco Jones, What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe)
Song of the Year
- October London – “Back To Your Place
- Toosii – “Favorite Song”
- Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good”
- Coco Jones – “ICU”
- SZA – “Kill Bill”
- Janelle Monáe – “Lipstick Lover”
- Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”
- SZA – “Snooze” (winner)
The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award
- October London – “Back To Your Place
- Toosii – “Favorite Song”
- Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good”
- Coco Jones – “ICU”
- SZA – “Kill Bill”
- Janelle Monáe – “Lipstick Lover”
- Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage – Sittin’ On Top Of The World”
- SZA – “Snooze” (winner)
Best Dance Performance
- Ciara Feat. Summer Walker – “Better Thangs”
- Usher – “Boyfriend”
- Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good”
- Ciara & Chris Brown – “How We Roll”
- Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” (winner)
- SZA – “Snooze”
- Chris Brown – “Summer Too Hot”
- Chris Brown – “Under The Influence”
Video of the Year
- October London – “Back To Your Place
- PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – “Boy’s A Liar, Pt. 2”
- Usher – “Boyfriend”
- Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good”
- Coco Jones – “ICU”
- SZA – “Kill Bill”
- Janelle Monáe – “Lipstick Lover”
- Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” (winner)
- Lizzo – “Special”
Best Collaboration
- Beyoncé Feat. Kendrick Lamar – “America Has A Problem (Remix)”
- PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – “Boy’s A Liar, Pt. 2”
- Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, Diddy Feat. 21 Savage – “Creepin’ (Remix)”
- FLO Feat. Missy Elliott – “Fly Girl”
- Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage – “Good Good” (winner)
- Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage – “Sittin’ On Top Of The World”
- Lizzo feat. SZA – “Special (Remix)”
- Summer Walker, J. Cole – To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug)”