Bruno Mars
On Sunday night, the 30th annual BET Soul Train Awards were handed out, with Bruno Mars coming out on top. The music superstar won five times, for Best R&B/Soul Male Artist, Video of the Year, Album/Mixtape of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Dance Performance.
Hosted by Erykah Badu, the special event featured SVW honored with the Soul Train Lady of Soul Award while Toni Braxton was given the Soul Train Legend Award.
Solange Knowles led all nominees with seven but only came home with one award, the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award for “Cranes in the Sky.” SZA won for Best New Artist and Best R&B/Soul Female Artist. Cardi B‘s smash “Bodak Yellow” was given the Rhythm & Bars Award (formerly called the Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year).
In addition to performances from SVW and Braxton (who was also honored with a tribute medley from artist she inspired), the show featured Keyshia Cole, 112, Tank, Kirk Franklin and others taking the stage. An annual highlight of the show is the “Soul Cypher” collective performance. This year’s brought together Fantasia, Bilal, Mali Music and Faith Evans, with Badu DJing.
