2011 SOUL TRAIN AWARD WINNERS

Like its pop counterpart “American Bandstand”, the R&B show “Soul Train” began as a local dance show. In 1971 the “Soul Train” went national with a syndicated program that ran for over 30 years with Don Cornelius as show host and executive producer. The hit dance show featured the best in R&B and soul music, super star guest performers, the latest dance moves, and the creation of the Soul Train. The show no longer airs on a weekly basis but lives on in the annual Soul Train Awards; this year the awards were held in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer and along with performances from 2010 Soul Train New Artist Melanie Fiona, Common, Cee-Lo Green, Joe, Robin Thicke, Lalah Hathaway, Lloyd, Miguel, Anthony Hamilton, Mindless Behavior, the Original 7ven, Marsha Ambrosius, BeBe Winans, Chrisette Michele, Natalie Cole, Kenny Lattimore, Keith Sweat, Musiq Soulchild, Tamar Braxton, Boney James, Mary Mary, Zap Mama, Stokley Williams, Ramsey Lewis, Robert Randolph, Freddie Jackson, Dave Hollister, and Eric Benet; the Soul Train Awards paid tribute to fallen rapper Heavy D including Naughty by Nature, Doug E Fresh, Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, and Whodini,

Winners of the 2011 Soul Train Awards are…

Best New Artist: Miguel

Centric Award: Raphael Saadiq

Best Male R&B or Soul Artist: Cee-Lo Green

Best Female R&B or Soul Artist: Jill Scott

Song of the Year: “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland with Lil Wayne

Album of the Year: “F.A.M.E.” by Chris Brown

Best Gospel Performance: “Walking” by Mary Mary

Best Caribbean Performance: “Man Down” by Rihanna

Best Hip-Hop song of the Year: “Moment for Life” by Nicki Minaj with Drake

Record of the Year for Songwriting: “Far Away” by Marsha Ambrosius

Best Dance Performance: “Run the World” by Beyonce

Best Soul Site: Necole Bitchie

Best Traditional Jazz: “Silver Pony” by Cassandra Wilson

Best Contemporary Jazz: “Hello Tomorrow” by Dave Koz