What Is 2016 Soul Train Music Awards

Overview

The 2016 Soul Train Music Awards celebrated the best in African-American music and culture, recognizing artists across R&B, soul, hip-hop, and gospel genres. The ceremony aired on November 27, 2016, from The Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and was broadcast on BET, marking its continued legacy since the original Soul Train television series debuted in 1971.

Hosted by Erykah Badu in her first time as emcee, the event highlighted achievements in music released between September 2015 and September 2016. The show paid tribute to past legends while spotlighting current stars, blending performance, fashion, and cultural significance into a single evening of celebration.

• Beyoncé led the nominations with 7 nods and won 4 awards, including Album of the Year for *Lemonade*.
• Chris Brown won the most awards overall, taking home 3 trophies despite controversy surrounding his public image.
• The ceremony aired on BET on November 27, 2016, marking its fourth consecutive year on the network.
• Erykah Badu made history as the first female solo host of the Soul Train Awards in over a decade.
• The event honored Maze featuring Frankie Beverly with the Soul Train Legend Award for their decades-long contribution to R&B music.

How It Works

The Soul Train Music Awards are determined through a combination of fan voting and industry input, with categories reflecting both commercial success and artistic impact. The selection process emphasizes cultural relevance and musical excellence within Black music traditions.

• Eligibility Period: Music released between September 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016 qualified for consideration across all categories.
• Voting Process: Fans voted online for nominees, contributing up to 30% of the final decision, while the rest came from a panel of music industry experts.
• Host Selection:Erykah Badu was chosen due to her iconic status in neo-soul and her reputation for artistic authenticity and cultural resonance.
• Performance Criteria: Performers were selected based on chart performance, cultural impact, and alignment with the Soul Train legacy of Black musical excellence.
• Award Categories: The show featured 14 competitive categories, including Best New Artist, Song of the Year, and The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter Award.
• Honorary Awards: The Soul Train Legend Award and Legend Award were presented to Maze and Lionel Richie, respectively, for lifetime achievement.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2016 Soul Train Awards compared to previous years in terms of viewership, award distribution, and major winners:

The 2016 edition saw a slight increase in viewership compared to 2015, reflecting strong interest in Beyoncé’s cultural moment and Erykah Badu’s hosting debut. Performances by Solange, The Weeknd, and Lionel Richie drew critical acclaim, with Solange’s "Cranes in the Sky" winning Song of the Year and becoming a feminist anthem.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Soul Train Music Awards reinforced the cultural importance of Black music and its evolving narrative in mainstream media. By honoring both legacy artists and emerging voices, the show bridged generations and highlighted the continuity of African-American musical innovation.

• Lemonade winning Album of the Year cemented Beyoncé’s work as a defining cultural statement of the 2010s.
• The recognition of Solange elevated her to a new level of artistic credibility within the R&B community.
• Lionel Richie receiving the Legend Award underscored the event’s commitment to honoring Black music pioneers.
• The inclusion of gospel categories highlighted the genre’s enduring influence on soul and R&B traditions.
• Fan voting engagement increased by 18% over 2015, showing growing audience investment in the awards.
• The ceremony’s fashion and performances influenced trends in music visuals and stage design for years after.

Ultimately, the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards served as both a celebration and a historical marker, capturing a pivotal moment in Black music where artistry, identity, and activism converged on a national stage.