SZA, Usher and Summer Walker are the top nominees for the 2023 Soul Train Awards, with nine nods each. The show will tape from a new, for now undisclosed location in Los Angeles, with BET promising: “This year’s show will reimagine the traditional award show ceremony into a soulful party in Hollywood.” The show will premiere on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her.
21 Savage follows the three nominations co-leaders with eight nods. Coco Jones and Victoria Monét are tied at six nods each, followed by Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Janelle Monáe and October London with four nods each.
SZA’s SOS, which is considered a lock to receive a Grammy nomination for album of the next week, is nominated in that category here. In addition, SZA is the only artist with two song of the year nominees here, “Kill Bill” and “Snooze.”
“Good Good” by Usher, Walker and 21 Savage is the only collaboration up for song of the year. It’s one of two collabs vying for video of the year, along with “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” by PinkPantheress & Ice Spice. Both of those collabs are also nominated for – and presumably are the front-runners for – best collaboration.
Most of the nominees are young and still on-the-rise, but there are also some legends in the mix. Ronald Isley (age 82) and the Isley Brothers are vying for the certified soul award. Shirley Caesar (age 85) is up for the best gospel/inspirational award. And the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award, which has been presented every year since 2009, was named in honor of the legendary songwriting duo which was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.
Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy, will oversee the annual show and executive produce for BET with Jamal Noisette, VP, specials & music programming. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, will serve as executive producer, along with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon.
“Soul, R&B, and hip hop continue to top the charts and drive culture forward,” Orlando said in a statement. “This year, we are taking inspiration from these genres to innovate and disrupt the award show format while celebrating the legacy of Soul Train. We are proud of this year’s list of esteemed nominees and look to deliver an unforgettable night of soul with our new location, performances, and show moments.”
Here’s the complete list of nominees for 2023 Soul Train Awards:
Album of the year
The Age of Pleasure, Janelle Monáe
Age/Sex/Location, Ari Lennox
Clear 2: Soft Life EP, Summer Walker
Girls Night Out (Extended), Babyface
I Told Them…, Burna Boy
Jaguar II, Victoria Monét
SOS, SZA
What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe), Coco Jones
Song of the year
“Back to Your Place,” October London
“Favorite Song,” Toosii
“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage
“ICU,” Coco Jones
“Kill Bill,” SZA
“Lipstick Lover,” Janelle Monáe
“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét
“Snooze,” SZA
Video of the year
“Back to Your Place,” October London
“Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” PinkPantheress & Ice Spice
“Boyfriend,” Usher
“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage
“ICU,” Coco Jones
“Kill Bill,” SZA
“Lipstick Lover,” Janelle Monáe
“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét
“Special,” Lizzo
Best R&B/soul female artist
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
H.E.R.
Janelle Monáe
Summer Walker
SZA
Victoria Monét
Best R&B/soul male artist
6lack
Babyface
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Eric Bellinger
October London
Usher
Best group
Dvsn
Flo
Jagged Edge
Kool & The Gang
Maverick City Music
Phony Ppl
Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
Tank and The Bangas
Wanmor
Best collaboration
“America Has a Problem” (Remix), Beyoncé Feat. Kendrick Lamar
“Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2,” PinkPantheress & Ice Spice
“Creepin’ (Remix),” Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, Diddy Feat. 21 Savage
“Fly Girl,” Flo feat. Missy Elliott
“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage
“Sittin’ on Top of the World,” Burna Boy Feat. 21 Savage
“Special,” Lizzo feat. SZA
“To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug),” Summer Walker, J. Cole
Best new artist
Ambré
Ayra Starr
Coco Jones
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
The Ashford and Simpson songwriter’s award
“Back to Your Place,” October London
“Favorite Song,” Toosii
“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage
“ICU,” Coco Jones
“Kill Bill,” SZA
“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét
“Sittin’ on Top of the World,” Burna Boy Feat. 21 Savage
“Snooze,” SZA
Best dance performance
“Better Thangs,” Ciara Feat. Summer Walker
“Boyfriend,” Usher
“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage
“How We Roll,” Ciara & Chris Brown
“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét
“Snooze,” SZA
“Summer Too Hot,” Chris Brown
“Under the Influence,” Chris Brown
Best gospel/inspirational award
“All of the Glory,” Shirley Caesar
“All Things,” Kirk Franklin
“Came Too Far,” Fridayy Feat. Maverick City Music & My Mom
“Cry,” Koryn Hawthorne
“Feel Alright (Blessed),” Erica Campbell
“God Problems,” Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine
“The Journey,” H.E.R.
“Try Love,” Kirk Franklin
