,

Highlights and Winners From the 2023 Soul Train Awards

Hosted by Keke Palmer, the event showcased some of the best of the best of R&B/Soul music of this year.

Keke Palmer attends the 2023 BET Soul Train Awards on November 19, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Getty Images Monica Schipper/WireImage

This year the 2023 Soul Train Awards went off without a hitch! And while L.A.’s unusually windy weather made for a more interesting turn of events seeing as how it was hosted outside, the night was still filled with special performances from our faves and big wins for others.

And since y’all already know we root for everybody Black over on this side, let’s go ahead and get into some of the aforementioned goodness.

Best New Artist: Coco Jones

Photo: Getty Images Elyse Jankowski/Billboard Photo: Getty Images Elyse Jankowski/Billboard

A much deserved win, Coco Jones took home the award for Best New Artist. We C U, sis!

Certified Soul Award: Usher

Photo: Getty Images Ethan Miller Photo: Getty Images Ethan Miller

The King of R&B (and King of Vegas) also took home the award for Best R&B/Soul Male Artist and Best Collaboration for his song “Good, Good” with 21 Savage and Summer Walker as well.

Album of the Year: SZA

Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan Photo: Getty Images Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan

The S.O.S. singer also took home to award for Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, Song of the Year and the Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award for her hit song, “Snooze.”

Video of the Year: Victoria Monét

Photo: Getty Images Santiago Felipe Photo: Getty Images Santiago Felipe

The “Alright” singer also took home to award for Best Dance Performance for her hit single “On my Mama.”

Spirit of Soul: Janelle Monae

 

Photo: Getty Images Elyse Jankowski/Billboard Photo: Getty Images Elyse Jankowski/Billboard

Janelle Monae “floated” in with a win for the Spirit of Soul Award.

The Legend Award: T-Pain

Photo: Getty Images Aaron J. Thornton for BET Photo: Getty Images Aaron J. Thornton for BET

It should go without saying why, but T-Pain was honored with the prestigious Legend Award.

Best Group: Maverick City Music

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

For Best Group, Maverick City took home the golden award.

Best Gospel/Inspirational Award: Kirk Franklin

Photo: Getty Images Marcus Ingram Photo: Getty Images Marcus Ingram

Kirk Franklin took home the award for Best Gospel/Inspirational for “All Things.”

Highlighted Performance: BJ the Chicago Kid and Coco Jones

The two singers joined vocal forces together to perform BJ’s hit single, “Spend the Night” off his recently released album, Gravy.

Highlighted Performance: Keke Palmer

Who ever said the host couldn’t also be a performer? Keke Palmer showed us all why she’s the girl who can do it all by performing her new song, “Ungorgeous.”

Highlighted Performance: T-Pain

The country boy from Tallahassee took us on a trip down memory lane and we loved him for it!

Highlighted Performance: SWV and Coco Jones

There’s a reason why the internet named SWV and Coco Jones the duo we never knew we needed.

Highlighted Performances: Janelle Monae

There’s no way we could give Janelle Monae the Spirit of Soul Award without hearing them perform.

Highlighted Performances: Muni Long

Muni Long hit the stage with insane vocals to remind us all why we could listen to her for “Hrs and Hrs.”

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Trigger Warning…All of the Shocking Testimony From Diddy’s Federal Trial

From federal raids to gruesome details of Cassie's alleged abuse, witnesses at Diddy's trial paint a scary picture ...
5 Gangsta Moves From Gov. Gavin Newsom Throughout the Years

5 Gangsta Moves From Gov. Gavin Newsom Throughout the Years

Between his quick comebacks and his no-BS attitude, Gov. Newsom might just be one of the biggest Democrat gangsters ...

Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That's Not The Scary Part

Expert: Brace Yourself For Anti-Ice Protests, But That’s Not The Scary Part

Father’s Day weekend might be met with a side of anti-fascist chaos… across the country ...
Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the 'Cowboy Carter Tour' Until They See ...Jay-Z

Fans Get Too Close to Rumi Carter at the ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’ Until They See …Jay-Z

“Beyoncé’s youngest daughter was among the crowd during the latest ‘Cowboy Carter’ show in London.” ...
Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here's What We Know?

Embattled Shannon Sharpe Claps back At Nicki Minaj! Here’s What We Know?

Minaj took aim at Sharpe in a new song and now that he's gotten wind of it, he's a got a whole lot to say! ...
Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a <i>Huge</i> Price For What He Does to a Fan

Former NBA Star Grabs His Privates and Pays a Huge Price For What He Does to a Fan

DeMarcus Cousins catches a steep penalty from his basketball team for very unsportsmanlike conduct caught on camera ...
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Behind Florida’s Sheriff’s ‘We Will Kill You’ to Anti-Trump Protesters

With Sheriff Ivey basically giving the green light for violence against Americans using their First Amendment right, Black folks took it all in ...
What Black Men Secretly Want For Father's Day

What Black Men Secretly Want For Father’s Day

It's not socks. Nor is it cologne. What Black men want for Father's Day is simple and free ...
How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly's Legal Mess, Explained

How Trump is Now Involved in R. Kelly’s Legal Mess, Explained

The once beloved R&B singer is pulling out all the stops to try to get out of prison and his latest attempt just might involve the president! ...
Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Detroit Mother Kicked Out Of Zoom Court For Making Daughter A PB&J

Turns out you can't make PB&Js during a court hearing, even if it's on Zoom ...
Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Kenny Lattimore and Faith Jenkins Go After Youtubers For Spreading Lies About Them

Lattimore, a popular singer, has remained out of the headlines as of late. But this new development has now changed that! ...
Black Internet Reacts To Nelly And Ashanti's New Reality Show Trailer

Black Internet Reacts To Nelly And Ashanti’s New Reality Show Trailer

If reality TV wasn't already starting to get juicy with the comeback of Love Island USA, it's definitely going to get interesting with a new show everyone is talking about. Spin the block couple, Nelly and Ashanti, are coming out with a reality TV show, "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong ...
Wait...Who's Trying to Kill R. Kelly??

Wait…Who’s Trying to Kill R. Kelly??

Kelly, the disgraced R&B singer, has been trying to get out from under his 31 year prison sentence. But this latest attempt might be the wildest ...
Will Ryan Gosling Play Black Panther? Answered

Will Ryan Gosling Play Black Panther? Answered

After a new Marvel comic introduces a white Black Panther, fans discuss whether Ryan Gosling should take on the role ...
Marc Lamont Hill Breaks Silence on Viral Video of Him Getting Pepper Sprayed During a Talk

Marc Lamont Hill Breaks Silence on Viral Video of Him Getting Pepper Sprayed During a Talk

The author and activist talked to Joe Budden about what really went down when he was attacked in 2024 and how he's dealt with his alleged attacker since ...
This NYC Father Suspected of Killing His 2-Year-Old Son, Tossing His Remains in a River

This NYC Father Suspected of Killing His 2-Year-Old Son, Tossing His Remains in a River

Montrell Williams was last seen in May and now, police suspect his father is involved in his disappearance.  ...
Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Project Angel Food, X

Dems Are Furious at Why This Senator Was Detained at a MAGA News Conference

Los Angeles is already making news after President Donald Trump deployed troops following protests... but this surely takes the cake ...
The Surprising Tea on the Black Colorado Child Born With Blonde Hair and Blue Eyes

The Surprising Tea on the Black Colorado Child Born With Blonde Hair and Blue Eyes

Yes, these babies with “European” features are, in fact, Black.  ...
Here's the <i>Real</i> Reason Some Folks are Side-Eyeing Cynthia Erivo's Tony Awards Performance

Here’s the Real Reason Some Folks are Side-Eyeing Cynthia Erivo’s Tony Awards Performance

Her rendition of a Jennifer Holliday classic apparently left much to be desired for a handful of viewers ...