Let’s exam for a minute the “men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t” credo. The numbers that just came back show that the BET networks delivered rating success with the premieres and encores of “SOUL TRAIN AWARDS” 2022 and “SOUL TRAIN AWARDS RED CARPET SPECIAL” last Sunday night. BET now has the top 5 cable award shows of 2022 for Black viewers: “BET Awards” (#1), “BET Hip Hop Awards” (#2), “Soul Train Awards” (#3), “Stellar Awards” (#4), and “NAACP Image Awards” (#5). “SOUL TRAIN AWARDS” 2022 was the #1 program for the night on cable for Black viewers 18-49 and 2+.
Leaving aside the statistics and demographics, let’s just translate into laymen’s terms; millions—2.5 MILLION—of eyes, ears, hearts and souls tuned in to the feel-good party of the year.
From what I’ve been hearing in my circles, the most talked-about segments of the show came first in the performance of R&B songwriter and vocal powerhouse Chanté Moore. Her 5 minutes-plus performance wowed the audience and reminded the nation of the staying power of her now 30-year-old debut album “Precious” with her sophisticated renditions of her classic hits “Love’s Taken Over” and “It’s Alright,” before closing with her most popular tune: “Chante’s Got a Man.” It was revealed days after the performance was aired that Moore has a few tour dates planned. So far, cities include Chicago, D.C., Detroit, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Additional dates will be announced at a later time, according to Moore.
This year’s highly anticipated Soul Cypher was hosted by producer and wheels of steel wielder DJ D-Nice, and as it has been since its inception, was the most buzz-worthy portion of the telecast. The Cypher featured memorable lyricism from Muni Long, Durand Bernarr, Alex Vaughn and Grammy-winning gospel icon Tasha Cobbs Leonard over an homage paying beat to “Human Nature” to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the seminal Michael Jackson album “Thriller.”
Drawing on years of experiences and varied talents helped prep newcomer Durand Bernerr for this golden moment. “The way I approached the Cypher was from years of development in church, theatre, martial arts, ballroom, skating, music theory and tour production,” he said. “To have an opportunity like performing in the Soul Cypher as an independent artist is beyond what I thought could take place…and yet…here we are.”
Durrand reminisced lyrically about his Soul Train Award appearance in 2018 as a supporting vocalist for Erykah Badu, but said he realized he had to get into his bag for his solo turn. “It’s one thing to sing background and support great artists. It’s another to be able to represent yourself and show the eyes that fall on me who I am.”
Anchoring the Cypher, Cobbs Leonard showcased her versatility as a musician/artist and why she’s accrued numerous accolades, including Billboard’s Top Gospel Artist of the Decade. She also stays true to her core, while effortlessly flexing her immaculate vocal chops to illustrate her love and passion for God.
Beyoncé led the night with three wins for Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Collaboration (with Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers).
The complete list of “Soul Train Awards” 2022 winners are:
Best New Artist Tems
Certified Soul Award Mary J. Blige
Best R&B/Soul Female Artist Jazmine Sullivan
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist Chris Brown
Best Gospel/Inspirational Award Maverick City Music X, Kirk Franklin
Song of the Year Break My Soul, Beyoncé
Album of the Year Renaissance, Beyoncé
The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award Hrs & Hrs, Muni Long
Best Dance Performance About Damn Time, Lizzo
Best Collaboration Make Me Say It Again, Girl, Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers; Feat, Beyoncé
Video of the Year Smokin’ Out the Window, Bruno Mars, Anderson. Paak, Silk Sonic
Now the award season can pivot its attention to the 2023 Grammy Awards, where Beyoncé is the most-nominated artist with nine. Ironically, that number of nominations finds her tied with spouse Jay Z, as the most Grammy-nominated musician of all time, with both having 88 career nominations. Kendrick Lamar is the most-nominated male artist with eight. The 65th Annual Grammy Awards show airs live on Sunday, February 5, at 7 p.m. ET.
While not as notable, the 2022 SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards—the world’s leading awards dedicated to independent soul music—were announced this week. The winners are:
Album of the Year Eric Roberson, “Lessons”
Song of the Year Melba Moore “So In Love”
Female Vocalist of the Year Maysa
Male Vocalist of the Year Eric Roberson
Duo or Group of the Year Incognito
Instrumentalist of the Year Najee
New Artist of the Year The Womack Sisters
Lifetime Achievement Award The Whispers
Over and out. Holla next week. ’Til then, enjoy the nightlife.