SZA, Usher & Summer Walker Lead 2023 Soul Train Awards Nominations: Full List

Paul Grein
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SZA, Usher and Summer Walker are the top nominees for the 2023 Soul Train Awards, with nine nods each. The show will tape from a new, for now undisclosed location in Los Angeles, with BET promising: “This year’s show will reimagine the traditional award show ceremony into a soulful party in Hollywood.” The show will premiere on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her.

21 Savage follows the three nominations co-leaders with eight nods. Coco Jones and Victoria Monét are tied at six nods each, followed by Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Janelle Monáe and October London with four nods each.

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SZA’s SOS, which is considered a lock to receive a Grammy nomination for album of the next week, is nominated in that category here. In addition, SZA is the only artist with two song of the year nominees here, “Kill Bill” and “Snooze.”

“Good Good” by Usher, Walker and 21 Savage is the only collaboration up for song of the year. It’s one of two collabs vying for video of the year, along with “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” by PinkPantheress & Ice Spice. Both of those collabs are also nominated for – and presumably are the front-runners for – best collaboration.

Most of the nominees are young and still on-the-rise, but there are also some legends in the mix. Ronald Isley (age 82) and the Isley Brothers are vying for the certified soul award. Shirley Caesar (age 85) is up for the best gospel/inspirational award. And the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award, which has been presented every year since 2009, was named in honor of the legendary songwriting duo which was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002.

Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming & music strategy, will oversee the annual show and executive produce for BET with Jamal Noisette, VP, specials & music programming. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, will serve as executive producer, along with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon.

“Soul, R&B, and hip hop continue to top the charts and drive culture forward,” Orlando said in a statement. “This year, we are taking inspiration from these genres to innovate and disrupt the award show format while celebrating the legacy of Soul Train. We are proud of this year’s list of esteemed nominees and look to deliver an unforgettable night of soul with our new location, performances, and show moments.”

Here’s the complete list of nominees for 2023 Soul Train Awards:

Album of the year

The Age of Pleasure, Janelle Monáe

Age/Sex/Location, Ari Lennox

Clear 2: Soft Life EP, Summer Walker

Girls Night Out (Extended), Babyface

I Told Them…, Burna Boy

Jaguar II, Victoria Monét

SOS, SZA

What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe), Coco Jones

Song of the year

“Back to Your Place,” October London

“Favorite Song,” Toosii

“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage

“ICU,” Coco Jones

“Kill Bill,” SZA

“Lipstick Lover,” Janelle Monáe

“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét

“Snooze,” SZA

Video of the year

“Back to Your Place,” October London

“Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2,” PinkPantheress & Ice Spice

“Boyfriend,” Usher

“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage

“ICU,” Coco Jones

“Kill Bill,” SZA

“Lipstick Lover,” Janelle Monáe

“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét

“Special,” Lizzo

Best R&B/soul female artist

Ari Lennox

Beyoncé

Coco Jones

H.E.R.

Janelle Monáe

Summer Walker

SZA

Victoria Monét

Best R&B/soul male artist

6lack

Babyface

Brent Faiyaz

Burna Boy

Chris Brown

Eric Bellinger

October London

Usher

Best group

Dvsn

Flo

Jagged Edge

Kool & The Gang

Maverick City Music

Phony Ppl

Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers

Tank and The Bangas

Wanmor

Best collaboration

“America Has a Problem” (Remix), Beyoncé Feat. Kendrick Lamar

“Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2,” PinkPantheress & Ice Spice

“Creepin’ (Remix),” Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, Diddy Feat. 21 Savage

“Fly Girl,” Flo feat. Missy Elliott

“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage

“Sittin’ on Top of the World,” Burna Boy Feat. 21 Savage

“Special,” Lizzo feat. SZA

“To Summer, From Cole (Audio Hug),” Summer Walker, J. Cole

Best new artist

Ambré

Ayra Starr

Coco Jones

Doechii

Flo

Fridayy

Tyla

Wanmor

Certified soul award

Anthony Hamilton

Ashanti

Ciara

Eric Bellinger

Monica

PJ Morton

Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers

T-Pain

Usher

The Ashford and Simpson songwriter’s award

“Back to Your Place,” October London

“Favorite Song,” Toosii

“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage

“ICU,” Coco Jones

“Kill Bill,” SZA

“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét

“Sittin’ on Top of the World,” Burna Boy Feat. 21 Savage

“Snooze,” SZA

Best dance performance

“Better Thangs,” Ciara Feat. Summer Walker

“Boyfriend,” Usher

“Good Good,” Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage

“How We Roll,” Ciara & Chris Brown

“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét

“Snooze,” SZA

“Summer Too Hot,” Chris Brown

“Under the Influence,” Chris Brown

Best gospel/inspirational award

“All of the Glory,” Shirley Caesar

“All Things,” Kirk Franklin

“Came Too Far,” Fridayy Feat. Maverick City Music & My Mom

“Cry,” Koryn Hawthorne

“Feel Alright (Blessed),” Erica Campbell

“God Problems,” Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine

“The Journey,” H.E.R.

“Try Love,” Kirk Franklin

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