NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — CENTRIC and BET hosted the 2009 Soul Train Awards in a special simulcast on Sunday, November 29th. Hosted by Academy Award nominated actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the return of the classic music awards show highlighted R&B music's finest, and bridged the gap between the soulful sounds of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
The Centric Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards special honored the longstanding careers and musical influences of legendary artists Chaka Khan and Charlie Wilson, acknowledged the star power and showmanship of the late Michael Jackson with the special Entertainer of the Year Award, and took viewers on a soul-stirring ride through Soul Train's most memorable moments.
The music special featured evening filled with non-stop, soulful entertainment and thrilling performances by Soul Train’s Best New Artist Winner, Keri Hilson, Robin Thicke, Erykah Badu, Ryan Leslie, Raheem DeVaughn featuring Ludacris, Fantasia, Mario featuring Sean Garrett, Chrisette Michele, and more!
The awards were prerecorded on November 3rd so there were no crazy Kanye rants or edited Adam Lambert kisses.
WINNERS:
BEST NEW ARTIST
– Keri Hilson
BEST R&B/SOUL ARTIST FEMALE
– Beyonce
BEST MALE R&B/SOUL MALE
– Maxwell
SONG OF THE YEAR
– "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Beyonce
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
– Beyonce – I Am … Sasha Fierce
RECORD OF THE YEAR (SONGWRITER AWARD)
– Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain – "Blame It"
BEST COLLABORATION
– Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo – "Knock You Down"
CENTRIC AWARD – SOUL APPROVED/UNDERGROUND
– Maysa
BEST REGGAE ARTIST
– Sean Paul
BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE MALE, FEMALE OR GROUP
– Mary Mary feat. Kierra "KiKi" Sheard – "God In Me"
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
– Michael Jackson