The countdown is officially on! The legendary Soul Train Awards are making their highly anticipated return, and we couldn’t be more excited to see one of music and culture’s most celebrated platforms come back home. And ThisIsRnB is incredibly proud to be part of the Soul Train legacy.
BET has officially announced the highly anticipated return of the Soul Train Awards, presented by Spotify and Toyota, airing Friday, November 27 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET, with the ceremony making television history by simulcasting on CBS for the first time ever, along with BET HER, VH1, MTV2 and LOGO.
For anyone who understands the importance of R&B and Black music culture, this is more than the return of an awards show. This is the return of a cultural institution.
“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.”
For more than five decades, Soul Train has been synonymous with Black music, style, dance and cultural expression. From Don Cornelius’ groundbreaking vision in 1971 to the iconic Soul Train dance line and unforgettable performances that helped define generations, the franchise has created a legacy unlike any other.
“Jesse Collins Entertainment is elated to return to produce the show,” said Jesse Collins, Founder & CEO, Jesse Collins Entertainment. “We are honored to work alongside BET, Spotify and Toyota towards an exciting lineup of unforgettable performances and special moments.”
This year’s celebration will bring together the artists who helped define the genre with the new generation carrying the sound forward. It’s a chance to celebrate the legends, recognize today’s stars and shine a light on the voices shaping where R&B goes next.
And for ThisIsRnB, this announcement carries an even deeper meaning.
We are incredibly proud to be recipients of the prestigious Soul Train Award—an honor that speaks directly to the culture, the music and the importance of continuing to champion R&B.
A Legacy That Means Even More
Our connection to this moment goes beyond the award.
Our founder, Jamie Wexler, was a true champion of R&B and someone who dedicated himself tirelessly to the music, the artists and the culture he loved. Jamie was deeply ingrained in the R&B community, using his voice and his platform to shine a light on the music and the people who helped move the culture forward.
He believed in the music. He believed in the artists. And most importantly, he put in the work.
Although Jamie was taken from us far too soon, the foundation he built continues to live through ThisIsRnB ans the work we do every day.
Being a recipient of a Soul Train Award is an incredible honor, but it also feels like a continuation of the work Jamie began. We are incredibly proud to carry his vision forward and even more excited to continue building upon his lasting legacy, while creating our own chapter in the ever-evolving story of R&B.
Jamie put in the magic and the work. We’re honored to keep the work going.
R&B Is Ready for Its Moment
The return of the Soul Train Awards comes at a time when R&B continues to evolve, expand and influence music around the world.
With Spotify serving as the exclusive music streaming partner and Toyota as the exclusive automotive partner, BET is ushering the franchise into a new chapter while honoring the history that made Soul Train such an enduring force.
And that’s what makes this return so exciting.
R&B is alive. R&B is evolving. And R&B deserves to be celebrated.
For more than 50 years, Soul Train has represented music, fashion, dance, individuality and Black cultural expression. Don Cornelius created something that became much bigger than television—a platform where artists could be seen, heard and celebrated on a national stage.
From the legendary performances to the unforgettable dance lines, Soul Train became a cultural touchstone that generations could call their own.
Now, that legacy gets another chapter.
ThisIsRnB Is Ready
For us at ThisIsRnB, being part of the Soul Train family is both an honor and a responsibility.
We understand that covering R&B is about more than simply reporting on releases and performances. It’s about preserving the history, celebrating the present and supporting the future of R&B music.
That’s the work Jamie started.
That’s the work we continue.
And that’s why this moment means so much.
We can’t wait to see the artists, performances, tributes and special moments that BET has in store. Performers, honorees and the host will be announced in the coming weeks, and we’ll be watching closely as the celebration takes shape.
So mark your calendars.
Friday, November 27 at 8 PM ET/PT.
The lights are coming back on. The music is coming back. The culture is coming together.
The Soul Train is back—and ThisIsRnB is proud to be along for the ride.
Congratulations to BET on bringing this iconic celebration back.
And from all of us at ThisIsRnB:
We honor the legacy. We celebrate the music. We represent the culture. And we keep the work going.
Love, Peace & Soul!