What Is 2000 Soul Train Music Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2000 Soul Train Music Awards was an awards ceremony held on March 10, 2000, honoring achievements in R&B, soul, gospel, and hip-hop music from 1999. It was hosted by Cedric the Entertainer and aired on BET, recognizing artists like Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child, and Luther Vandross.

Key Facts

The 2000 Soul Train Music Awards took place on March 10, 2000.
Cedric the Entertainer was the host of the 2000 ceremony.
Whitney Houston received the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year.
Destiny's Child won Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band, or Duo for 'The Writing's on the Wall'.
The event aired on BET and honored music released primarily in 1999.

Overview

The 2000 Soul Train Music Awards celebrated the most influential artists in African American music during the preceding year, with a focus on R&B, soul, gospel, and hip-hop. Held on March 10, 2000, the ceremony highlighted major achievements in music released primarily in 1999 and was broadcast on BET, continuing its tradition of honoring Black excellence in entertainment.

Hosted by comedian and actor Cedric the Entertainer, the event combined humor with heartfelt tributes and high-energy performances. The show paid special tribute to Whitney Houston, who received the prestigious Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year, cementing her legacy as a defining voice in soul music.

March 10, 2000 marks the official date of the 2000 Soul Train Music Awards, held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in California.
Cedric the Entertainer brought his signature comedic style to the stage, making the evening both entertaining and culturally resonant for viewers.
Whitney Houston was honored with the Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year, recognizing her lasting impact on music and performance.
Destiny's Child won Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band, or Duo for their multi-platinum release 'The Writing's on the Wall'.
Luther Vandross received the Heritage Award for Outstanding Career Achievement, acknowledging his decades-long influence on soul and R&B music.

How It Works

The Soul Train Music Awards operate through a combination of industry input, public voting, and historical recognition to determine honorees across genres. Categories reflect the year’s top performances in R&B, hip-hop, gospel, and jazz, with special awards highlighting lifetime contributions.

Eligibility Period: Music released between October 1998 and September 1999 was considered for the 2000 awards, aligning with the show’s fiscal eligibility window.
Voting Process: A hybrid system involving music industry professionals and fan input determined nominees and winners in most competitive categories.
Host Selection: Cedric the Entertainer was chosen for his rising popularity and ability to connect with both younger and older Black audiences.
Special Awards: The Sammy Davis Jr. Award and Heritage Award are non-competitive honors given for career excellence and cultural influence.
Category Structure: Awards were divided into genre-specific groups, including Best Gospel Album, Best Rap Single, and Best R&B/Soul Single – Male.
Broadcast Logistics: The ceremony was taped for later broadcast on BET, reaching millions of households across the United States.

Comparison at a Glance

Award categories and winners from the 2000 Soul Train Music Awards compared to prior years reveal evolving trends in Black music. The table below highlights key categories and recipients:

Category	1999 Winner	2000 Winner	Artist's Label	Notable Fact
Best R&B/Soul Album – Solo	Whitney Houston	Whitney Houston	Arista Records	Houston won for 'My Love Is Your Love', a 1998 release with global sales exceeding 10 million.
Best R&B/Soul Album – Group	TLC	Destiny's Child	Columbia Records	'The Writing's on the Wall' sold over 8 million copies worldwide by 2000.
Best Rap Album	DMX	DMX	Ruff Ryders/Def Jam	DMX won for '...And Then There Was X', which sold 4 million units in 1999.
Heritage Award	Aretha Franklin	Luther Vandross	Various	Vandross had over 30 Billboard chart entries by the time he received the honor.
Best Gospel Album	Kirk Franklin	Yolanda Adams	GospoCentric Records	Adams' 'Mountain High... Valley Low' became a gospel crossover success.

This comparison shows a shift toward younger acts like Destiny's Child while still honoring legends like Vandross. The 2000 awards reflected the growing commercial power of gospel and hip-hop in mainstream culture.

Why It Matters

The 2000 Soul Train Music Awards were more than a celebration—they were a cultural milestone that highlighted Black artistry during a transformative period in music. As hip-hop and R&B began to dominate global charts, the awards provided a platform for African American artists to gain recognition without mainstream gatekeeping.

Representation: The awards ensured visibility for Black artists in genres often underrepresented at mainstream ceremonies like the Grammys.
Cultural Legacy: By honoring Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston, the show bridged generations of soul music excellence.
Commercial Impact: Winning an award often boosted album sales, as seen with Destiny's Child’s post-win chart surge.
Influence on BET: The broadcast strengthened BET’s role as a central network for Black entertainment and music culture.
Public Engagement: Fan voting components increased audience involvement and made the awards more interactive.
Historical Record: The ceremony documented the state of African American music at the turn of the millennium for future generations.

Ultimately, the 2000 Soul Train Music Awards reinforced the importance of culturally specific recognition in an increasingly globalized music industry.