The 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards

“Before Soul Train, Rock and Roll was the culture that defined America.  [Now thanks to the help of Soul Train], Hip Hop and R&B are what influence and define the culture and the fabric that make the U.S. what it is today.  Hip hop and R&B are the culture that drive us.”  -Laz Alonzo
This year Omarion and LaToya Luckett hosted the electrifying 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards, held in the spacious Pasadena Civic Auditorium. It was an evening of enchantment, beginning with a star-littered red carpet complete with excited, screaming fans on the sidelines, all hoping to catch a glimpse and possibly take a picture with their favorite celebrity. 

 

Once seated inside the beautiful auditorium, guests were thoroughly entertained by performances by this year’s Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actress, Jennifer Hudson, as well as Omarion, Robin Thicke, The Isley Brothers, Marques Houston, Rick Ross, and Webstar and Young B.  Presenters for awards included Chingy, Avant, Mario, Solange Knowles, Yung Joc, Rosario Dawson, Shemar Moore, Elise Neal, Paula Patton, Brian White, Isaiah Washington, Eddie Steeples, and Danielle Evans among others.
Each year at the Soul Train Awards, homage is paid to specially selected individuals recognizing their talents and musical contributions.  This year a special tribute was awarded to three outstanding entertainers.  Jermaine Dupri was presented with the 2007 Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements.  Songwriter and recording artist, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds was presented with the 2007 Stevie Wonder Award for Outstanding Career Achievements in Songwriting.  Last but certainly not least, American Idol contestant and star of the feature film, “Dream Girls”, Jennifer Hudson was honored with the 2007 Sammy Davis, Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year.
The Other Award Winners are as follows:
The Sprite Award for Best R&B/ Soul or Rap Dance Cut – Webstar and Young B featuring The Voice of Harlem for “Chicken Noodle Soup”
Best R&B/ Soul Single, Group, band, or Duo – Gnarls Barkley for “Crazy”
Best R&B/ Soul Single, Male – John Legend for “Save Room”
The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/ Soul or Rap Music Video – Jay Z for “Show Me What You Got”
The Coca-Cola Award for Best R&B/ Soul or Rap new Artis t- Ne-Yo for “Sexy Love”
Best Gospel Album – Kirk Franklin for “Songs from the Storm, Vol.1”
Best R&B/ Soul Single, Female – Beyonce for “Irreplaceable”
Best R&B/ Soul Album, Male – Jamie Foxx for “Unpredictable”
Best R&B/ Soul Album, Female – Mary J. Blige for “The Breakthrough”
After performing or presenting an award, celebrities were invited to the Press Room for a “Q and A” session with journalists from all media outlets.
Presenter and actress, Elise Neal, announced that she was currently in the process of recording and shopping her first album.  She disclosed that her album would not “compete with those who are 20 years old” and instead offer her listeners “something a little more emotional”.  Although she declined a request for a sample of her singing, she did mention that those interested could find out more about her project and listen to some of her songs on her website: www.eliseneal.com

Winners of the Sprite Award for Best R&B/ Soul or Rap Dance Cut, Webstar and Young B told us they were “just happy to be here” and in fact “didn’t know they would be performing until a week ago”.  Their hit single, “Chicken Noodle Soup” was inspired by a dance that kids from their hometown of Harlem, NY invented.  Upon asking, Young B, who is never seen without her signature crown on her head, said, “[I wear my crown] because I’m a princess”.
As princesses go, no one looked more princess-like than Faune Chambers, star of “Epic Movie”, who commented that Sue Wong designed her stunning dress.  Chambers, who is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, revealed she was currently working on a new independent film, “Cruise” and that her favorite Soul Train dance was the Whop.
Laz Alonzo, star of the film, “Stomp the Yard”, mentioned he would be featured in a new sci-fi film opposite Zoe Saldana and James Cameron called Avator, to be released in May 2009.  He also spoke of his record label, “Abundance Music” that “focuses on urban Hip Hop and R&B”.  He will also be releasing a psychological thriller called “Captivity” on May 18, as well as another film, “This Christmas” starring Regina King and Chris Brown due this holiday season.

Comedian Kim Whitley just wrapped up a project detailing the life of Kanye West for HBO.  She says that she got her first start in entertainment by being brought to the Soul Train Awards by long-time friend, Gerald Levert.
Vanessa and Angela Simmons were there to promote their new line of girl’s tennis shoes, Pastry (The Cake Collection).  The shoes will be debut on March 25 in 4 different styles: Strawberry Shortcake, Sprinkles, Chocolate Mousse, and Red Velvet; the idea being that each shoe resemble a cake.  They even come in a neatly designed “cake box” and a lip-gloss as a special bonus.  The line was “inspired by baking” and is specifically “made for girls by girls”.  Their father, Reverend Run of rap group, Run DMC was present for support.  An episode of their show, Run’s House, which will be exclusively about the birth of Pastry, will air April 9th.
The 21st Annual Soul Train Music Awards is a reoccurring, annual festival that celebrates the accomplishments of recording artists in all categories of Soul including R&B, Hip Hop, Rap, and Gospel.  It is run in national syndication through Tribune Broadcasting Networks and is produced by Don Cornelius Productions, Inc., in association with Tribune Entertainment Company.
Pasadena Civic Auditorium
300 East Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101