Africa wins BIG as African Giant Burna Boy receives 4 nominations while Ayra Starr and Tyla are also nominated at this years “Soul Train Awards” 

News

November 2, 2023

“Soul Train Awards” 2023 premieres
Monday, 27 November at 2:00am WAT on BET Africa, DStv Channel 129 

 BET have announced the nominees, premiere date, and location for the highly anticipated “Soul Train Awards” 2023presented by BET.

Global superstar Burna Boy stands out with four 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.  

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.”  

Summer Walker, SZA, and Usher lead “Soul Train Awards” 2023 nominations with nine nominations, 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 ProgrammingJesse 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, J. COLE 

#SOULTRAINAWARDS