Soul Train Awards Are Set to Return After 3-Year Hiatus

The Soul Train Awards, a music variety show that first aired in 1987, are set to return after a three-year absence. The awards show, presented by Spotify and Toyota, will be held on Friday, November 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT and will simulcast on CBS, BET HER, VH1, MTV2, and LOGO. Taped in Chicago, the city where the late host and creator Don Cornelius established the show in 1971, this will be the first time the event is held in the Windy City.

Cornellius, who passed away in 2012, was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. BET president Louis Carr expressed pride in bringing the Soul Train Awards back to Chicago, stating that the event aims to unite the community around the culture and connect artists. BET EVP Connie Orlando added that the show will have a bold new format, honoring R&B and soul artists while reimagining the celebration.

The production of the show will be handled by Jesse Collins Entertainment, the company's founder and CEO, Jesse Collins, expressed excitement about the return and its lineup of performances and special moments. Spotify, the exclusive music streaming partner, is eager to see the impact of the event on the artists featured in the show.

Joe Hadley, Spotify's global head of music content & partnerships, emphasized the importance of the Soul Train Awards for R&B and soul music and the DSP's role in extending the artists' reach. Toyota, the exclusive automotive partner, shared its pride in supporting the legacy of the Soul Train Awards, highlighting its commitment to being present in the cultural landscape.

The award show's history dates back to the first Soul Train Awards held in 1987, with Dionne Warwick and Luther Vandross as the original hosts. The most recent edition of the show, hosted by Keke Palmer, aired in 2023. The details of this year's performances, honorees, and host will be revealed in the coming weeks.