Soul Train Awards Return. – “As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the Soul Train Awards back to the city where it all originated,”

The Soul Train Awards return Friday, Nov. 27. Taped in the city where Don Cornelius launched the original “Soul Train” more than 50 years ago, the show will celebrate the artists, music and enduring legacy of “Soul Train” through a dynamic night of performances and special moments.

With Spotify as the exclusive music streaming partner and Toyota as the exclusive automotive partner, the return marks a new chapter for the franchise that has shaped Black music and culture for generations. This year’s telecast blends honorees who defined the sound with the artists carrying it forward, celebrating a legacy that has influenced American music since “Soul Train” first went on the air in 1971. Performances, honorees and host details will be announced in the coming weeks.

“As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the Soul Train Awards back to the city where it all originated,” said Louis Carr, president of BET. “Coming off a landmark year for BET, this return reaffirms what we do best: bringing our community together around the culture, and connecting the artists who built this sound to the ones carrying it forward.”

“The Soul Train Awards has always been the home for R&B and soul, and this year we’re reimagining the celebration with a bold new format,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy for BET. “It’s about honoring the artists who shaped the genre while reinventing the night for where the music is headed.”

“Jesse Collins Entertainment is elated to return to produce the show,” said Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment. “We are honored to work alongside BET, Spotify and Toyota toward an exciting lineup of unforgettable performances and special moments.”

Spotify’s Joe Hadley, global head of music content and partnerships at Spotify, states, “We’re thrilled the Soul Train Awards are coming back. It’s a significant moment for R&B and soul, and for Spotify, it’s important to show up where culture is. Bringing Spotify and BET together allows us to extend the impact beyond the awards themselves, creating more opportunities for artists and their music to reach fans around the world.”

“‘Soul Train’ has been a defining force in music and culture for more than five decades, and Toyota is proud to have been part of that legacy for many of those years,” said Dedra DeLilli, vice president of marketing communications at Toyota. “We’ve always believed in showing up where culture is being created and celebrated, which is why we are extremely excited to be the exclusive automotive partner for the return of the Soul Train Awards. We’re proud to help bring this iconic platform back in a way that honors its legacy and the significance it continues to hold today.”

Connie Orlando serves as the executive producer for Soul Train Awards for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.

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.