2016 Soul Train Awards
Erykah Badu brought her flavor to the stage once again to host the 2016 Soul Train Awards. The broadcast was filmed in Las Vegas on November 6th at the Orleans Arena.
Drake led the nominees with a total of 12 nods. Beyonce, Rihanna, Kanye West, DJ Khaled, and Usher received multiple nominations as well.
The broadcast opened up with Dru Hill performing Tell Me followed by In My Bed and Beautiful. The audience stood and danced through every song. Who can stay in their seat when Dru Hill performs?
Sisqo did not disappoint and did not leave the stage until he performed the Thong Song.
When Erykah Badu came to the stage she did so with dancers in neon lights. She was laced in green neon lights wearing a giant top hat as she welcomed the audience.
During her opening monologue, she referred to the future and said, “We won and the future is Black.”
The first award of the evening was for Best Dance Performance and the 2016 Soul Train Award went to Kanye West featuring Teyana Taylor for Fade. Teyana’s performance was incredible and she was very grateful to receive the award.
Eric Benet performed his smash hit Sunshine and he brought the house down.
Best R&B Soul Female was next category and the 2016 Soul Train Award went to Beyonce. She was not there to accept.
Internet Sensations Jay Versace was next. He imitated Erykah Badu in a YouTube video. He accepted his award in the audience. He bowed for a while and Erykah jokingly told him he could sit down.
Yuna performed Crush as they went to a commercial break.
BJ the Chicago Kid and Anderson Paak performed The Waters. It was another great performance.
Bobby Brown, Bell Biv DeVoe and the cast of the movie New Edition Story came to the stage. The audience went crazy when Bobby came to the mike. The group announced the nominees for the Centric Certified Award. Anderson Paak took the trophy.
Ro James came next and performed Already Knew That followed by Permission. He received a well-earned standing ovation.
Ne-Yo performed a jazzy version of his hit She Got Her Own followed by Angie Stone, Tyrese, and Gladys Knight all performing freestyle. Erykah was the DJ and brought it to an end with a quick note. It was awesome?
Karlton Humes was the next Internet sensation. Erykah gave him his award in the audience as she sincerely congratulated him for his YouTube success.
Erykah then introduced Brandy who was already on the stage. She performed a medley of her songs. She was excellent! Mase joined her for On Top of the World before she went into Baby, I Wanna Be Down and Talk About Our Love. Perfection!
Jill Scott continued the tribute to Brandy and presented the singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and mother the 2016 Lady of Soul Award.
After the video highlighting her career achievements, Jill called her to the stage to receive the trophy. “I don’t really have the words to express what this means.” She thanked her whole family who was there in the audience. “I’m just blown away by tonight so thank you.”
After the break, D.R.A.M. and Erykah Badu were sitting in a living room setting singing to each other about cell phone service with WiFi. I thought it was a parody or a comedy sketch at first.
The man who put Patti Labelle’s Pie’s on the map, James Wright was the next Internet Sensation Awardee. You remember James. He was the reason Pattie’s Pie’s sold out.
The next performer was Carl Thomas who sang Summer Rain and I Wish and the audience was on their feet throughout.
India Arie and Erykah Badu performed together. Erykah jokingly performed several odd songs before they performed India’s song ‘Breathe’. It was a beautiful song.
The Rhythm and Bars Award was next and the 2016 Soul Train Award went to Remy Ma and Fat Joe for All the Way Up. Remy thanked her husband and her brother.
Major was the next performer. He sang Why I Love You as they went to a commercial break.
Cedric the Entertainer presented the Legend Award to Teddy Riley. After the video of career highlights, Cedric called Teddy Riley to the stage. ‘I want to give this honor to God.’ He thanked his family and extended family. He also thanked Debra Lee and Don Cornelius for his first performance. He also thanked all the mothers of his children. “I thank you all and God bless you.’
Teddy then performed Now That We’ve Got Love, Just Got Paid, I Like and he was joined by Doug E. Fresh who performed Slick Rick.
Bobby Brown also joined in and performed My Prerogative and Remember the Time was performed with Tito! They followed with Rump Shaker and Let’s Chill and Grove Me and came back to I Like to bring it full circle.
Erykah closed out the show with the traditional saying of Don Cornelius, “Love, Peace, and Soul’
The 2016 Soul Train Awards performances were outstanding. See you next year!
Tanya Hart
