LOVE, PEACE, And SOUL
The 2015 Soul Train Awards was everything that I didn’t expect and I loved every part of the show! Erykah Badu was the chosen host of this year and delivered a stellar performance, along with a little bit of controversy in the closing of her opening act when the singer issued a diss to Iggy Azalea after poking fun of herself for being outcast from the Hip Hop industry.
Badu took a phone call from ‘Iggy Azalea in which she responded:
” Who is this? Iggy Azalea, No, No, No, No, No, You Can Come To The Soul Train Awards Because What You’re Doing Is Definitely Not Rap.”
But the award show was so much more than that. This year’s show excluded hip hop, and was centered solely around soul music and the timeless music that stole our hearts in the 90’s and early 200o’s.
” I Think You Have To Let The Music Be Honest. Try To Write Things That People Feel Good About It, And That Can Touch Their Lives – BabyFace “
Jill Scott was honored with the Lady Of Soul Award, and Kenneth, Baby Face Edmonds received the 2015 Soul Legend Award along with an all star tribute from artists that he’s collaborated with over two decades [some of which I never knew he’s work with and or written for].
Jazmine Sullivan, Tevin Campbell, Brandy, Boyz To Men, Bobby Brown touched the stage with great performances and Fantasia [who covered Whitney’s classic ‘Shoop’ and Karyn White ‘ Superwoman’ record] brought the house down. Erica Campbell, and Tasha Cobbs brought in the gospel inspiration. Can You Say Legendary!
Other winners of the night included: Jidenna [Best New Artist] Chris Brown, Omarion, & JheneAiko [Best Collaboration], Tyrese [Centric Certified] Kendrick Lamar [ Best Hip Hop Song Of The Year] The Weekend [Best R&B Soul/Male Artist and Album Of The Year]
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars [Video Of The Year] Silento [Best Dance Video]
Ms.Badu reminded the crowd that ‘phones’ were not allowed, and even took to the crowd to confiscate singer, Tyrese and another gentlemen’s phone which later probed Badu to sing her classic record ‘ Tyrone ‘.
For the first time, the Soul Train Awards included a ‘soulcypher’ featuring Chrisette Michelle, K-Ci [Jodeci], Eddie Levert, & Lalah Hathaway with DJ Badu aka ‘She-Ill’
R.Kelly concluded the show ‘cook out’ style with a number of his hit songs ‘Step In The Name Of Love”Your Body Callin’ ‘When A Woman Fed Up’ ‘Ignition, ‘Bump N Grind’ and his newly released single ‘Backyard Party’.
To catch the red carpet, and more performances head over to BET .
Until next year PLUMS!