It was back in 1998 when Usher received two Soul Train music awards for album “8701.”
Since then actor, dancer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist has sold over 80 million records worldwide receiving dozens of other accolades.
For many Black artists, the Soul Train Awards, which was conceived in an era well before cable television, CD’s and streaming platforms, was the cream of the crop.
Fast forward to present day, the annual award show designed to spotlight and honor Black performers is returning to Chicago.
BET has announced the return of “Soul Train Awards,” which will be presented by Spotify and Toyota. With a new format, the show which has shaped Black music and culture for generations will be taped in the city where creator Don Cornelius launched the original “Soul Train” more than 50 years ago.
For Mr. Cornelius, who started “Soul Train” in 1970 at WCIU, a small UHF station in Chicago, the reason for the endurance of “Soul Train” was that the music video revolution was very late in reaching most black recording artists.
Mr. Cornelius died in 2012.
“As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the ‘Soul Train Awards’ back to the city where it all originated,” said Louis Carr, President, BET. “Coming off a landmark year for BET, this return reaffirms what we do best: bringing our community together around the culture, and connecting the artists who built this sound to the ones carrying it forward.”
Performances, honorees, and host details will be announced in the coming weeks and the show which has seen performers from Babyface, Brandy, CeeLo Green to Smokey Robinson grace the stage, will air Friday November 27 on BET.
