African sweethearts Ayra Starr and Tyla make debut nominations at the 2023 “Soul Train
Awards”
BET announces the nominees, premiere date, and location for the highly anticipated “Soul Train
Awards” 2023, presented by BET. Global superstar Burna Boy stands out with four impressive nominations across four categories, including ‘Best R&B/Soul Male Artist,’ ‘Album of The Year,’
‘Best Collaboration,’ and ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award’. Additionally, Ayra Starr
and fast-rising musician, Tyla make their debut entry into this year’s ‘Best New Artist’ category.
The official “Soul Train Awards” 2023 nominees were selected by a voting academy of esteemed
music industry insiders, performers, and presenters. Taping from a new location in Los Angeles, CA,
this year’s show will reimagine the traditional award show ceremony into an unforgettable Soulful Party
in Hollywood, celebrating the best in soul music and the iconic legacy brand. “Soul Train Awards”
2023 premieres Monday, November 27 at 02:00am WAT on BET Africa, DStv Channel 129,
repeating at 07:00pm WAT.
Speaking on the African nominees for this year, Monde Twala, Senior Vice President, General
Manager and Lead of BET International, said, “Burna Boy, Ayra Starr and Tyla have been
exceptional this year, and their presence on this global stage underlines the transformative impact of
African talent on the world of soul music. We are proud to have their craft being recognized on this
remarkable platform.” “Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop continue to top the charts and drive culture forward. This year, we are taking inspiration from these genres to innovate and disrupt the award show format while
celebrating the legacy of Soul Train,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming
& Music Strategy. “We are proud of this year’s list of esteemed nominees and look to deliver an
unforgettable night of Soul with our new location, performances, and show moments.”
Summer Walker, SZA, and Usher lead “Soul Train Awards” 2023 nominations with nine
outstanding nods, marking a historic three-way tie. Summer Walker for ‘Best R&B/Soul Female
Artist,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Video of The Year,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson
Songwriter’s Award,’ and twice for ‘Best Dance Performance,’ and ‘Best Collaboration.’ SZA for
‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘Video of the Year,’ ‘Best Dance Performance,’
‘Best Collaboration,’ and twice for ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,’ and ‘Song of
the Year.’ Usher for ‘Certified Soul Award,’ ‘Best R&B/Soul Male Artist,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘The
Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ and twice for ‘Best Dance
Performance,’ and ‘Video of the Year.’ 21 Savage garnered the second most nods with eight
nominations. Coco Jones and Victoria Monét are tied at six nods each, followed by Burna Boy,
Chris Brown, Janelle Monáe, and October London with four nominations each.
The “Soul Train Awards” 2023, presented by BET, will feature an exciting lineup of electrifying,
performances, special moments, and appearances by some of the brightest stars in Black culture
and entertainment. The annual event is committed to showcasing the impact of Soul Train on
music and dance, from the ‘70s to today.
Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual
show and Executive Produce for BET with Jamal Noisette, VP, Specials & Music Programming.
Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, to serve as Executive Producer of “Soul
Train Awards” 2023 along with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and
Dionne Harmon.
The complete list of nominees for “Soul Train Awards” 2023:
BEST NEW ARTIST
AMBRÉ
AYRA STARR
COCO JONES
DOECHII
FLO
FRIDAYY
TYLA
WANMOR
CERTIFIED SOUL AWARD
ANTHONY HAMILTON
ASHANTI
CIARA
ERIC BELLINGER
MONICA
PJ MORTON
RONALD ISLEY & THE ISLEY BROTHERS
T-PAIN
USHER
BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD
ALL OF THE GLORY SHIRLEY CAESAR
ALL THINGS KIRK FRANKLIN
CAME TOO FAR FRIDAYY FEAT. MAVERICK CITY MUSIC & MY MOM
CRY KORYN HAWTHORNE
FEEL ALRIGHT (BLESSED) ERICA CAMPBELL
GOD PROBLEMS MAVERICK CITY MUSIC, CHANDLER MOORE, NAOMI RAINE
THE JOURNEY H.E.R.
TRY LOVE KIRK FRANKLIN
BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST
ARI LENNOX
BEYONCÉ
COCO JONES
H.E.R.
JANELLE MONÁE
SUMMER WALKER
SZA
VICTORIA MONÉT
BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST
6LACK
BABYFACE
BRENT FAIYAZ
BURNA BOY
CHRIS BROWN
ERIC BELLINGER
OCTOBER LONDON
USHER
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
THE AGE OF PLEASURE JANELLE MONÁE
AGE/SEX/LOCATION ARI LENNOX
CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP SUMMER WALKER
GIRLS NIGHT OUT (EXTENDED) BABYFACE
I TOLD THEM… BURNA BOY
JAGUAR II VICTORIA MONÉT
SOS SZA
WHAT I DIDN’T TELL YOU (DELUXE) COCO JONES
SONG OF THE YEAR
BACK TO YOUR PLACE OCTOBER LONDON
FAVORITE SONG TOOSII
GOOD GOOD USHER, SUMMER WALKER, 21 SAVAGE
ICU COCO JONES
KILL BILL SZA
LIPSTICK LOVER JANELLE MONÁE
ON MY MAMA VICTORIA MONÉT
SNOOZE SZA
THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER’S AWARD
BACK TO YOUR PLACE OCTOBER LONDON
FAVORITE SONG TOOSII
GOOD GOOD USHER, SUMMER WALKER, 21 SAVAGE
ICU COCO JONES
KILL BILL SZA
ON MY MAMA VICTORIA MONÉT
SITTIN’ ON TOP OF THE WORLD BURNA BOY FEAT. 21 SAVAGE
SNOOZE SZA
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE
BETTER THANGS CIARA FEAT. SUMMER WALKER
BOYFRIEND USHER
GOOD GOOD USHER, SUMMER WALKER, 21 SAVAGE
HOW WE ROLL CIARA & CHRIS BROWN
ON MY MAMA VICTORIA MONÉT
SNOOZE SZA
SUMMER TOO HOT CHRIS BROWN
UNDER THE INFLUENCE CHRIS BROWN
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
BACK TO YOUR PLACE OCTOBER LONDON
BOY’S A LIAR PT. 2 PINKPANTHERESS & ICE SPICE
BOYFRIEND USHER
GOOD GOOD USHER, SUMMER WALKER, 21 SAVAGE
ICU COCO JONES
KILL BILL SZA
LIPSTICK LOVER JANELLE MONÁE
ON MY MAMA VICTORIA MONÉT
SPECIAL LIZZO
BEST GROUP
DVSN
FLO
JAGGED EDGE
KOOL & THE GANG
MAVERICK CITY MUSIC
PHONY PPL
RONALD ISLEY & THE ISLEY BROTHERS
TANK AND THE BANGAS
WANMOR
BEST COLLABORATION
AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM (REMIX) BEYONCÉ FEAT. KENDRICK LAMAR
BOY’S A LIAR, PT. 2 PINKPANTHERESS & ICE SPICE
CREEPIN’ (REMIX) METRO BOOMIN, THE WEEKND, DIDDY FEAT. 21
SAVAGE
FLY GIRL FLO FEAT. MISSY ELLIOTT
GOOD GOOD USHER, SUMMER WALKER, 21 SAVAGE
SITTIN’ ON TOP OF THE WORLD BURNA BOY FEAT. 21 SAVAGE
SPECIAL LIZZO FEAT. SZA
TO SUMMER, FROM COLE (AUDIO HUG) SUMMER WALKER,
About BET Media Group
The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the world’s largest
media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and
championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET,
BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the
BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV,
streaming, digital, studios, live events and international.
About Jesse Collins Entertainment
Founded in 2012, Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service Emmy winning production
company that has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments
in music entertainment. JCE’s award-winning and critically acclaimed television includes programming
from its three divisions. From the scripted division: scripted series—Real Husbands of Hollywood,
American Soul and miniseries—The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. From the
unscripted division: unscripted series – Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50, Oh Hell No! With Marlon
Wayans, Cardi Tries, My Killer Body with K. Michelle, DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic and Forward: The
Future of Black Music, competition/game shows—Celebrity Squares, Becoming A Popstar, Rhythm + Flow, Sunday Best, Hip Hop Squares and Nashville Squares, talk shows – Yara Shahidi’s Day Off and
Face to Face with Becky G, and children’s series—Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (Daytime
Emmy Award winner). From the specials division: award shows—The Emmy Awards, The American
Music Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors,
UNCF’s An Evening of Stars and ABFF Honors, specials—The Super Bowl Halftime Show (Primetime
Emmy Award winner), The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey (Primetime Emmy®
Award nominee), Lil Rel Howery: I said it. Y’all thinking it., CNN’s Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of
Freedom, Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, “Love & Happiness: An Obama
Celebration”, “Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today” A GRAMMY Salute to the
Sounds of Change, “Stand Up for Heroes”, Dear Mama, Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’, Def Comedy
Jam 25, “Leslie Jones: Time Machine”, The All-Star Nickmas Spectacular and Rip the Runway. Emmy
winner Jesse Collins, Founder and CEO, is the executive producer of all JCE programming. He is also
an executive producer for the Grammy Awards. Collins produced the 2021 Oscars and 2022 Golden
Globes.
About Soul Train
“Soul Train” was created in 1971 by visionary Don Cornelius and predominantly featured performances
by R&B, pop, soul, and hip-hop artists, in addition to the occasional funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists.
When the final episode of the show’s historic thirty-five-year run aired in 2006, it was the longest-
running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history. “Soul Train” highlighted a cast of
incredible, ethnically diverse dancers who famously introduced the world to a whole new series of
dance moves and styles on a weekly basis. Cornelius opened every show welcoming the audience to
“the hippest trip in America” and closed each show wishing the audience “love, peace, and soul.”
Today, the legacy of “Soul Train” lives on through the legendary Soul Train dance line, which has
become a timeless staple on dance floors across America. In 2016, BET, acquired the “Soul Train”
brand and remains dedicated to revitalizing the brand while also honoring its heritage.
About Red Media Africa
Red Media Africa (www.redmediaafrica.com) is the PR & Empowerment Marketing division under the
parent brand, RED. It focuses on using inspiration, empowerment, and action to help brands and
organisations connect with their audiences, enhance their bottom line, and lead in their industries. It
has 6 major practice areas: Corporate Practice, Technology Practice, SME Practice, Governance
Practice, Faith Practice, and International Practice – with work for brands across Nigeria, Ghana,
Kenya, and South Africa. It has been recognised with multiple local and international awards including
the Gold SABRE Awards for PR Campaigns and the Young Lions PR competition for the next
generation of creatives.