Williams will host the Soul Train Awards, to air on BET and Centric on Nov. 30.
Chris Brown, who is the lead nominee with seven, Beyoncé has six nominations and Pharrell Williams follows with five.
The Soul Train Awards has distinguished itself from other awards shows by catering to an older demographic over the past few years. The 2014 edition was a bit more old school than previous installments. Not that there was necessarily anything wrong with that, because getting the opportunity to see the likes of Jodeci, Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, Da Brat, Total and Mase grace the stage while also honoring the legendary Kool & The Gang was a treat for anyone who was a teenager in the ’90s.
After years of rumors that the bad boys of 1990s R&B K-Ci, Jo Jo, DeVante Swing and Mr. Dalvin would reunite, they made it official on the 2014 Soul Train Awards stage with a performance that took those at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas back in time to a place where Jodeci ruled the airwaves.
The show opened up with the indisputable king of R&B of today, Chris Brown who launched into a medley of hits from his more humble beginnings (“Yo (Excuse Me Miss)”) to today’s more edgy smash hit “Loyal,” which took home Soul Train awards for “Best Hip Hop Song” and “Best Collaboration.” It was vintage Brown as the 25-year-old bounded across the stage with energetic moves as dancers flanked him.
The show took a trip down nostalgic highways as host Wendy Williams helped guide the tour. Performances by Nico & Vinz, a high octane “2 On” from Tinashe, Kem (who brought Ledisi along for “If It’s Love”), 3WB (Three Winans Brothers) and We Are Toonz showing the 40-somethings in the crowd how to “Nae Nae” were mere precursors for the sentimental magic that would grace the stage.
Soul Train Awards 2014 – Nominees
Best New Artist August Alsina Jhené Aiko LiV Warfield Mack Wilds Nico & Vinz Sevyn Streeter Centric Certified Award Avery Sunshine Kelis Leela James Luke James Robert Glasper Best Gospel/Inspirational “Help” – Erica Campbell feat. Lecrae “I Can Only Imagine” – Tamela Mann “No Greater Love” – Smokie Norful “Real Love” – Inspired People feat. Charles Jenkins “Say Yes” – Michelle Williams feat. Beyoncé & Kelly Rowland “We Are Victorious” – Donnie McClurkin feat. Tye Tribbett Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year “Fancy” – Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX “Hold On (We’re Going Home)” – Drake feat. Majid Jordan “Loyal” – Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga “No Mediocre” – T.I. feat. Iggy Azalea “Pills N Potions” – Nicki Minaj “Studio” – ScHoolboy Q feat. BJ the Chicago Kid Best R&B/Soul Female Artist Beyoncé Janelle Monaé Jennifer Hudson Jhené Aiko Marsha Ambrosius Ledisi Best R&B/Soul Male Artist Chris Brown John Legend Kem Pharrell Williams Tank Trey Songz Album of the Year Beyoncé – Beyoncé G I R L – Pharrell Williams Love in the Future – John Legend Nothing Was the Same – Drake The Electric Lady – Janelle Monaé Xscape – Michael Jackson Song of the Year “All of Me” – John Legend “Drunk in Love” – Beyoncé feat. Jay Z “Happy” – Pharrell Williams “Hold On (We’re Going Home)” – Drake feat. Majid Jordan “Love Never Felt So Good” – Michael Jackson feat. Justin Timberlake “Loyal” – Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award “All of Me” – John Legend (Toby Gad, John Stephens, Dave Tozer) “Happy” – Pharrell Williams (Pharrell Williams) “Pretty Hurts” – Beyoncé (Joshua Coleman, Sia Fuller, Beyoncé Knowles) “Stay With Me” – Sam Smith (Steve Fitzmaurice, James Napier, William Phillips, Sam Smith) “The Man” – Aloe Blacc (Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Sam Barsh, Aloe Blacc, Elton John, Daniel Seeff, Bernie Taupin) “The Worst” – Jhené Aiko (Jhené Aiko Chilombo, Mac Robinson, Brian Warfield) Best Dance Performance “2 On” – Tinashe feat. ScHoolboy Q “Electric Lady” – Janelle Monáe “Good Kisser” – Usher “Loyal” – Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga “Talk Dirty” – Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz “Turn Down for What” – DJ Snake & Lil Jon Best Collaboration Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Tyga – “Loyal” Chris Brown feat. Usher & Rick Ross – “New Flame” Janelle Monaé feat. Miguel – “Primetime” Michael Jackson & Justin Timberlake – “Love Never Felt So Good” Robert Glasper feat. Jill Scott – “Calls” Toni Braxton & Babyface – “Hurt You” Video of the Year “Drunk in Love” – Beyoncé feat. Jay Z (Hype Williams) “Good Kisser” – Usher (Christopher Sims) “Happy” – Pharrell Williams (We are from L.A.) “New Flame” – Chris Brown feat. Usher (Breezy & Mike Ho) “The Man” – Aloe Blacc (Matty Barnes) “The Worst” – Jhené Aiko (Danny Williams) Best International Performance Davido – “Aye” Machel Montano – “Ministry of Road (M.O.R.)” Nico & Vinz – “Am I Wrong” Sam Smith – “Stay With Me” Shaggy feat. Ne-Yo – “You Girl” Ziggy Marley – “I Don’t Want to Live on Mars” Best Traditional Jazz Performance Audra McDonald – “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” Gregory Porter – “Hey Laura” Kenny Garrett – “Pushing the World Away” Monty Alexander – “Concierto de Aranjuez” Wynton Marsalis – “Flee as A Bird to the Mountain (Live)” Best Contemporary Jazz Performance Liv Warfield – “Stay – ‘Soul Lifted’” Najee feat. Meli’sa Morgan – “In the Mood to Take It Slow” Robert Glasper feat. Jill Scott – “Calls” Snarky Puppy – “Lingus (We Like It Here)” Terrace Martin feat. Robert Glasper – “It’s Yours” Vandell Andrew – “Let’s Ride” Best Independent R&B/Soul Performance Joe feat. Kelly Rowland – “Love & Sex Pt. 2″ Kelly Price – “It’s My Time” LiV Warfield – “Why Do You Lie?” Sebastian Mikael feat. Wale – “Last Night” Shaliek – “The Past” Terrace Martin feat. T$, Tone Trezure – “You’re the One”
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