After being absent from honoring musicians in 2008, Soul Train Music Awards comes back this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Motown Records. Nominations for the upcoming event have been announced, revealing that Beyonce Knowles, Maxwell and Keri Hilson lead the pack with four nods each.
The three of them compete against each other in Song of the Year and Record of the Year. In addition, both Beyonce and Maxwell are also up for Album of the Year. Beyonce and Maxwell get their fourth kudos in Best Female and Male R&B/Soul Artist respectively. As for Keri, she receives her two other nominations in Best New Artist and Best Collaboration.
Other artists who are listed as nominees at the show include Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Robin Thicke and Whitney Houston. A special honoree for Entertainer of the Year will be given to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
2009 Soul Train Music Awards will be hosted by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. The event will be taped on November 3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and will be televised on both CENTRIC and BET in a special simulcast on November 29 at 9 P.M.
Beside honoring musicians in various categories, the Soul Train Awards will also salute such legendary artists as Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. Scheduled to take the stage as performers are Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Chrisette Michele, Ledisi and Melanie Fiona.
Nominations list of 2009 Soul Train Music Awards:
Best New Artist:
Best Female R&B/Soul Artist:
Best Male R&B/Soul Artist:
Song of the Year:
- “God in Me” – Mary Mary
- “Pretty Wings” – Maxwell
- “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” – Beyonce Knowles
- “Spotlight” – Jennifer Hudson
- “Turnin Me On” – Keri Hilson feat. Lil Wayne
Album of the Year:
- Beyonce Knowles – “I Am…Sasha Fierce” (Sony Music)
- Jamie Foxx – “Intuition” (J Records)
- Kanye West – “808’s & Heartbreak” (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam)
- Maxwell – “BLACKsummers’night” (Sony Music)
- Ne-Yo – “Year of the Gentleman” (Def Jam)
Record of the Year (Songwriter Award):
- Beyonce Knowles – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
- Drake – “Best I Ever Had”
- Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain – “Blame it”
- Keri Hilson – “Knock You Down”
- Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
Best Reggae Artist:
- 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 Winans and Cece Winans – “Close to You”
- Fred Hammond fat. John P Kee – “They That Wait”
- Marvin Sapp – “Praise Him in Advance“
- Mary Mary – “God in Me”
- Smokie Norful – “Justified”
Best Collaboration:
- Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West and Ne-Yo – “Knock You Down”
- Keyshia Cole feat. Monica – “Trust”
- Mario feat. Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett – “Break Up”
- Mary Mary feat. Kiki Sheard – “God in Me”
- Trey Songz feat. Drake – “Successful”
