Hosted by Dynamic Best-Friend Duo Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” Celebrates 50 Years of the Soul Train Legacy

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Maxwell to Receive the “Legend” Award and Ashanti to Be Honored With the “Lady of Soul” Award

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Ari Lennox, Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, Fred Hammond, Leon Bridges, Lucky Daye, Summer Walker, BET Amplified Artists Elhae and Marzz, and Many More Are Set to Take the Stage With Special Appearances by Crystal Hayslett, Devale Ellis, El Debarge, Fat Joe, Hosea Chanchez, Ja Rule, Paula Patton, Parker McKenna Posey, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and More

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D-Nice, Tone Stith, Koryn Hawthrone, Jac Ross, Elle Varner and Musiq Soulchild to Join the Highly Anticipated Soul Cypher

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Ciara & Russell Wilson and Marley Dias to Receive “Souls of Justice” Awards

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The Hit Franchise "DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic: BET Soul Train Edition" Premieres on Sunday, November 28 at 10:30PM ET/PT, With Performances by Legendary R&B and Hip Hop Icons, Including Superstars Charlie Wilson, Stephanie Mills, Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Jeffrey Osborne, Gloria Gaynor and Many More

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BET Soul Joins the Celebration With a Full-Day Marathon of Soul Train-Dedicated Programming Starting Saturday, November 27, Including Season One of “American Soul” and 2020 Editions of the “Soul Train Awards” and “Pass the Mic”

#SOULTRAINAWARDS

The hottest party of the year, the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” presented by BET, will showcase an even bigger lineup of performances, special moments, and appearances by some of the biggest stars in R&B, Gospel, Urban Adult Contemporary and Soul. Hosted by dynamic best-friend duo Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold from the World Famous Apollo in Harlem, NYC, the annual telecast will also celebrate 50 years of the Soul Train legacy. The 2021 “Soul Train Awards” presented by BET premieres Sunday, November 28 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET, BET Her, MTV2, and VH1. The 2021 “Soul Train Awards” will simulcast internationally on BET Africa at 2 AM CAT on November 29 and air on BET France on December 1, at 10:30 PM CET. The show will also be available to watch on My5 and Sky On-Demand, in the UK, beginning December 3.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211124006208/en/

(From L-R- Dynamic best-friend duo Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold host the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” presented by BET from the World Famous Apollo in Harlem, NYC, the annual telecast premieres Sunday, November 28 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET, BET Her, MTV2, and VH1.

The 2021 “Soul Train Awards” will feature performances by GRAMMY® award-winning singer-songwriter and producer Legend Award honoree Maxwell, award-winning and multi-platinum singer/songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and author Lady of Soul honoree Ashanti, R&B super duo Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, R&B/Soul songstress Ari Lennox, soul singer-songwriter and producer Leon Bridges, R&B singer Lucky Daye, singer-songwriter Summer Walker, gospel legend Fred Hammond, and BET Amplified artists Elhae and Marzz. Ciara and Russell Wilson, and Marley Dias to receive Souls of Justice Award. Rap legends Fat Joe and Ja Rule, R&B icon El Debarge will make special appearances. Additionally, presenters who will take the stage include, Jazmine Sullivan, Mack Wilds, Normani, Devale Ellis and Crystal Hayslett from the cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas on BET, and Parker McKenna Posey, from BET series Games People Play, Paula Patton from BET+ Original series, Sacrifice, Hosea Chanchez and Wendy Raquel Robinson from The Game, a Paramount+ Original series. The participants in the annual Soul Cypher will include D-Nice, Musiq Soulchild, Jac Ross, Koryn Hawthorne, Elle Varner, and Tone Stith.

H.E.R. leads the 2021 “Soul Train Awards'' nominations with an impressive eight nods for ‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award (x2),’ ‘Best Collaboration (x2),’ and ‘Video of the Year.’ Jazmine Sullivan and Chris Brown garnered the second most nods with six nominations each. Jazmine Sullivan’s nods include ‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ and ‘Video of the Year.’ Chris Brown’s nods include ‘Best R&B/Soul Male Artist,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,’ ‘Best Dance Performance,’ ‘Best Collaboration (x2),’ and ‘Video of the Year.’ Wizkid and TEMS are the third highest with five nods each, followed by Blxst with four nods. Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, Doja Cat, and Yung Bleu each have three nods.

"DJ Cassidy's Pass The Mic: BET Soul Train Edition" will premiere on Sunday, November 28th at 10:30pm ET/PT, immediately following the 2021 “Soul Train Awards.” This edition will mark the first anniversary of DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic on BET and will welcome the appearance of the 190th iconic artist on the groundbreaking series. DJ Cassidy will honor 50 years of Soul Train by passing the mic to nearly twenty legendary R&B and Hip Hop icons, eleven of whom appeared on Soul Train during the 1970s, 1980s, and beyond, including superstars Charlie Wilson, Stephanie Mills, Kurtis Blow, Melle Mel, Jeffrey Osborne, and Gloria Gaynor. In the spirit of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” at the World Famous Apollo, this edition of “DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic” will spotlight several legendary New York natives, including Mills, Blow, Melle Mel.

BET Soul will celebrate all things Soul Train and introduce new “Cuffing SZN Saturdays” programming block starting Saturday, November 27. The support programming will begin at 11 AM ET with the entire first season of “American Soul,” followed by the 2020 “DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic: Soul Train Awards Edition” at 9 PM ET, the 2020 “Soul Train Awards” at 10 PM ET and curated music video blocks of the “Soul Train Awards” honorees, nominees, performers & presenters all weekend-long leading up to the premiere of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” on Sunday, November 28.

BET also held the first-ever “Soul Train Awards Weekend,” a three-day multiplatform experience that celebrated the best in commerce, music, and entertainment. The weekend kicked off with the “Leading With Soul” Luncheon, honoring executives known for meaningful work and leadership. Sponsored by Dove and hosted by media personality Tai Beauchamp, the luncheon honored Esi Egleston Bracey of Unilever North America with the ‘Corporate Champion Award,’ BET President of Media Sales Louis Carr, a veteran of BET and leader in sales for global brands with the ‘Legacy Award,’ Cheryl McKissack Daniel & Deryl McKissack of McKissack & McKissack, with the ‘Black Business Icon Award’ for their professional design and construction firm, and Jonelle Procope, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Famous Apollo with the ‘Community Hero Award.’ In a stunning feat, BET also invited New York City to gather and form the longest Soul Train Line in history, to break the current Guinness World Record. Never one to disappoint, NYC locals showed out in full force in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem for what became a successful attempt and new Guinness World Record.

BET also launched a microgrant program in partnership with The Apollo and the 125^th Street Business Improvement District (BID) and expansion of their Harlem Microgrant program established in 2020 that will provide ten local Harlem businesses and non-profits with $10,000 grants each to support their continued recovery from COVID-19 and to honor the entrepreneurial spirit of Soul Train’s path-breaking innovator and creator, Don Cornelius. Harlem businesses and non-profits interested in being part of for the microgrant program can visit www.ApolloTheater.org for guidelines and applications. BET also partnered with the United Way to help feed the Harlem community at two local community-based organizations, Harlem Wellness Center in Central Harlem and West Harlem Group Assistance. BET provided $10,000 grants to each organization, helping put food on the table for hundreds of Harlem families this November. Each organization hosted live, in-person and covid-safe food distribution events.

Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy , the annual show, with Jamal Noisette VP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, to Co-Executive Produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jesse Collins and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay served as Executive Producers of the 2021 “Soul Train Awards.”

For show information, please visit BET.com/SoulTrain, the official site for the 2021 “Soul Train Awards.”

To access the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” images, click on the links below:

• Red Carpet/Show/Backstage:
  
  https://dam.gettyimages.com/assignments/the-2021-soul-train-awards-presented-by-bet
  • Photos of the “Soul Train Awards” winners will be published in real-time on November 28.
• Soul Cypher:
  
  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/seutn9k9prflm61/AAABAG4Mw1QtuKDJbe4ghnJua?dl=0
• ‘Leading With Soul Luncheon’:
  
  https://dam.gettyimages.com/assignments/bet-s-soul-train-weekend-leading-with-soul-luncheo
• Guinness World Record-breaking Soul Train Line: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gqvzp8zr9caqldy/AABvF6Bn149DSHTuGLbjx6j2a/Soul%20Train%20Line%20Audience%20Photos%20%26%20Clips?dl=0&subfolder_nav_tracking=1
  • Photo Credit PMM Agency/ BET
• BET’s Food Distribution event:
  
  https://dam.gettyimages.com/assignments/bet-s-food-distribution-event-in-harlem-in-celebra
  
  
  
  (Photo Credit For All Images: BET/Soul Train Awards)
  
  
  
  To access the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” video clips of the performances to publish, click on the links below: https://app.shift.io/spotlight/0be91f92-ce24-44ac-ac1f-d932041ad32b
• 2021 “Soul Train Awards” Performance links will be populated in real-time on November 28.

ABOUT BET

BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.

ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT

Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television and film production company and has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. The Emmy® nominated company has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the theatrical film side, the company also has a first look on JCE’s film development projects which could include Viacom’s film entities such as Paramount Players. The award-winning and critically acclaimed television that JCE has produced includes miniseries—”The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story;” scripted series—”American Soul” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood;” unscripted series – “Cardi Tries;” children’s series—”Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices;” award shows—”BET Awards,” “Black Girls Rock!,” “BET Honors,” “UNCF’s An Evening of Stars,” “BET Hip Hop Awards,” “ABFF Honors” and “Soul Train Awards;” specials—”John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero,” “Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration,” “Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today,” “Stand Up for Heroes,” “Dear Mama,” “Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’,” “Def Comedy Jam 25” and “Leslie Jones: Time Machine;” as well as competition/game shows—”Sunday Best,” “Hip Hop Squares,” “Nashville Squares” and “Rhythm & Flow.” Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of the company, is the executive producer of all programming. He is also a co-executive producer for the iconic Grammy Awards. Most recently, he was executive producer of The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards. He will next executive produce the 2021 American Music Awards. Go to jessecollinsent.com for more information on the company.

ABOUT THE APOLLO

The non-profit Apollo is a performing arts presenter, commissioner, and collaborator that also produces festivals and large-scale dance and musical works organized around a set of core initiatives that celebrate and extend the Apollo’s legacy through a contemporary lens, including the world premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me and the New York premiere of the opera We Shall Not Be Moved; special programs such as the blockbuster concert Bruno Mars Live at the Apollo; 100: The Apollo Celebrates Ella; the annual Africa Now! Festival; bi-annualWomen of the World (WOW) Festival; as well as other multidisciplinary collaborations with partner organizations. Since introducing the first Amateur Night contests in 1934, the Apollo has served as a testing ground for new artists working across a variety of art forms and has ushered in the emergence of many new musical genres—including jazz, swing, bebop, R&B, gospel, blues, soul, and hip-hop. Among the countless legendary performers who launched their careers at the Apollo are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Luther Vandross, H.E.R., D’Angelo, Lauryn Hill, Machine Gun Kelly, and Miri Ben Ari; and the Apollo’s forward-looking artistic vision continues to build on this legacy. For more information about the Apollo, visit www.ApolloTheater.org.

ABOUT SOUL TRAIN

“Soul Train” was created in 1971 by visionary Don Cornelius and predominantly featured performances by R&B, pop, soul, and hip-hop artists, in addition to the occasional funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists. When the final episode of the show’s historic thirty-five-year run aired in 2006, it was the longest running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history. “Soul Train” highlighted a cast of incredible, ethnically diverse dancers who famously introduced the world to a whole new series of dance moves and styles on a weekly basis. Cornelius opened every show welcoming the audience to “the hippest trip in America” and closed each show wishing the audience “love, peace and soul.” Today, the legacy of “Soul Train” lives on through the legendary Soul Train dance line, which has become a timeless staple on dance floors across America. In 2016, BET, acquired the “Soul Train” brand and remains dedicated to revitalizing the brand while also honoring its heritage.

ABOUT SOUL TRAIN HOLDINGS

SOUL TRAIN HOLDINGS, LLC was formed in May 2008 and is owned by InterMedia Partners and a partnership between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Ron Burkle's investment firm, The Yucaipa Companies. The iconic franchise and catalog consists of more than 1,100 episodes and 40 specials from Don Cornelius Productions, Inc. Soul Train is the longest running, first-run, nationally syndicated music program in television history. During its 35-year run, the show featured lasting innovations such as the Soul Train line and the legendary sign off “Love, Peace and Soul.” At the heart of the show was Don Cornelius, the dancers and influential artists such as James Brown, Al Green, Ike & Tina Turner, Hall & Oates, Donna Summer, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Prince, Run D.M.C. and Destiny’s Child.

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