BET has announced the nominations for the upcoming 2017 Soul Train Awards across 12 different categories, an annual celebration that recognize the best in Soul, R&B and Hip-Hop from legends to the next generation.
This year’s most nominated artist goes to Solange, who secured seven total nods including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, and the highly coveted Video of the Year and Song of the Year for the hit single “Cranes in the Sky.” Bruno Mars follows with six total nominations including two nominations for Song of the Year for his hit single “That’s What I Like,” and Album/Mixtape of the Year for “24K Magic.” DJ Khaled, Rihanna, and Bryson Tiller also received multiple nominations this year including Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Collaboration.
As for R&B/Soul newcomers, Khalid and SZA lead the pack with nominations in categories including Best New Artist, Best R&B/Soul Male Artist, Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, Best Collaboration and the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award.
Multi-platinum and seven-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Toni Braxton will receive the coveted Don Cornelius Legend Award. Over the span of her career, Braxton has sold over 67 million records, including 41 million albums, worldwide. Toni’s current single, “Deadwood,” was released by Def Jam Recordings in September and her new album, “Sex & Cigarettes,” her first solo effort in seven years, will be out in early 2018.
The third annual Lady of Soul Award will be presented to multi-platinum, female R&B group SWV. SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including “Weak,” “Right Here/Human Nature,” “I’m So into You,” and “You’re the One.” They have sold more than 25 million records, making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. Last year’s Lady of Soul Award went to R&B icon Brandy.
Both Toni and SWV are being recognized for their longstanding presence in the music industry and influence on the world of soul and R&B music past and present.
Filmed on November 5th at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards will air on BET and BET HER on November 26th, 2017 at 8PM ET.