On Thursday (9.03,), producers at BET announced that the Soul Train Awards will return to television later this year.
Taking place in Chicago, the city where Don Cornelius first launched Soul Train more than five decades ago, the iconic show will air via BET on November 27 and, for the very first time, will be simulcast on CBS-TV.
A statement from BET President Louis Carr read “As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the Soul Train Awards back to the city where it all originated.” “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.”
With Spotify serving as the exclusive music streaming partner of the franchise, the streaming giant’s Kimmy Summers stated:
“Soul Train has always represented more than music.” “It’s been a cultural force, giving artists a platform to shape sound, style and culture for generations. As the genre continues to evolve, Spotify can continue to create meaningful opportunities for a new generation of listeners to discover the music and artists who came before them, while embracing the voices defining what’s next. It’s about keeping that spirit of discovery alive and connecting fans with the full story of R&B and soul.”
With presenters and performers soon-to-be announced, the 2026 return of the Soul Train awards will celebrate legendary acts as well as emerging artists who are “carrying Black music forward”.
Past hosts of the show included R&B icons like Dionne Warwick, Vanessa Williams, and Gladys Knight. Keke Palmer fronted the most recent Soul Train Awards, held in Los Angeles in 2023. And, with 25 wins to her credit, Beyoncé remains the most awarded artist in the history of the awards,
The inaugural Soul Train Awards were staged in March of 1987, while the long-running variety TV show, Soul Train, premiered in 1971 and ran for 35 years.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Unknown author – Public Domain