The Soul Train Awards are coming home. Today, BET announced that the long-running awards show will return to television this fall with a show taped in Chicago, the city where Don Cornelius first launched “Soul Train” more than 50 years ago. Presented by Spotify and Toyota, the Soul Train Awards will celebrate the artists, music, and enduring legacy of “Soul Train” with a dynamic night of performances and special moments. Spotify will serve as the exclusive music streaming partner of the franchise, which has shaped Black music and culture across generations.
“We’re thrilled the Soul Train Awards are coming back. It’s a significant moment for R&B and soul, and for Spotify, it’s important to show up where culture is,” said Joe Hadley, Global Head of Music Content & Partnerships at Spotify. “Bringing Spotify and BET together allows us to extend the impact beyond the awards themselves, creating more opportunities for artists and their music to reach fans around the world.”
The telecast is set to air Friday, November 27 at 8:00 PM ET on BET, and simulcast on CBS for the first time ever, along with BET HER, VH1, MTV2, and LOGO. This year’s show will celebrate legendary acts alongside the artists carrying Black music forward, building on a legacy that has influenced American music and culture for more than half a century. Performances, honorees, and host details will be announced in the coming weeks.
“As a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the ‘Soul Train Awards’ back to the city where it all originated,” said Louis Carr, President, BET. “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.”
“Soul Train has always represented more than music,” said Kimmy Summers, Lead Artist Partnerships at Spotify. “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.”
The original “Soul Train” premiered in 1971 and ran for 35 years, making it the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated program in television history. The show was a cultural institution, introducing audiences to new music, new dance moves, and Cornelius’ signature sign-off wishing viewers, “Love, peace, and soul.” Expect plenty of all three come November.