The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show which previously aired in national television syndication, and honors the best in Black music and entertainment. It is produced by the makers of Soul Train, the program from which it takes its name, and features musical performances by various R&B and Soul recording artists interspersed throughout the ceremonies. The special traditionally used to air in either February, March or April, but now airs the last weekend of November (in most years, Thanksgiving weekend).
The Soul Train Music Awards voting body includes active professionals in the fields of radio programming and music retail and management and recording artists with records that have charted in designated music trade publications in the year prior to proceedings. Past hosts for the show include such R&B luminaries as Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Will Smith, Vanessa Williams, and Gladys Knight.
The Soul Train Music Award trophy has featured an African ceremonial mask since its 1987 introduction. A new trophy was designed by Tristan Eaton of Thunderdog Studios in 2009 and is manufactured by New York firm Society Awards. Beyoncé holds the record for the most Soul Train Awards won with 15 wins, including those won with Destiny's Child.
Soul Train was an American musical variety television program which aired in syndication from 1971 until 2006. In its 35-year history, the show primarily featured performances by R&B, soul and hip hop artists, although funk, jazz, disco and gospel artists also appeared. The series was created by Don Cornelius, who also served as its first host and executive producer.
Production was suspended following the 2005-2006 season, with a rerun package (known as The Best of Soul Train) airing for two years subsequently. As a nod to Soul Train's longevity, the show's opening sequence during later seasons contained a claim that it was the "longest-running first-run, nationally syndicated program in American television history," with over 1,100 episodes produced from the show's debut through the 2005-2006 season. Despite the production hiatus, Soul Train will continue to hold that honor until at least 2016, if and when its nearest competitor, Entertainment Tonight, completes its 35th season. If ET does not complete a 35th season, Wheel of Fortune will surpass it in 2018 if it continues to air.
-You came into my life
-I don't have to wonder no more, I can feel it all in my soul
It's Soul Music
-It's deep down in my soul
Feel the Burn
I can see I got a good foundation deep down in my soul
-Its deep down in my soul
It's Soul Music
I feel the need for contemplation deep down in my soul
-It's deep down in my soul
Yo, I first took breath in Hemstead, Long Island
Born in American ancestry from Ireland
You ain't knowin me, you'd better stop smilin'
Aint nothin funny once my dummies start whiling
You talkin loud now all of a sudden it's silent
Your premonitions say it's about to get violent
You want permission just to blink your own eyelids
I got my soldiers, everywhere they go, I win
No stick moves, aint no cap peeling
Where I come from real men don't catch feelins
We don't rhyme about fake jacks or drug dealin
The shit I drop will leave all your brains on the ceilin'
Mass appealin, done it since the '80s
Rock rhymes for my dogs, sing songs for my ladies
Spend money like crazy, aint got no babies
If I don't make it in heaven I'll run shit in Hades
Now I can see I got a good foundation deep down in my soul
-Its deep down in my soul
It's Soul Music
I feel the need for contemplation deep down in my soul
-It's in my soul
Soul Music
And I can feel a dark sensation deep down in my soul
-It's deep down in my soul
Soul Music
Tryin to find an explanation deep down in my soul
-It's deep down in my soul
Yo I shit on competition
Spit on percussion
Beats are bonecrushin
One deep I'm bum-rushin
Guns they get stuck in
Someone starts buckin
The jewels that I'm truckin got pimps upchuckin
You can't hold me down
You can't hold my hand
A full grown man with the one God plan
I represent the colors that never run
God bless DMC
God bless Reverend Run
R.I.P. for the J.M.J.
Tell Big and Scott LaRock that we all say hey
Be like Tupac or be like Kid 'n Play
Do you wanna burn out or just fade away
I can rock the mic with no delay
With my head to the ground every time I pray
You can catch a heart attack or get blown away
Cause this type of shit happens everyday
Feel the burn
-I can feel it all in my soul
It's Soul Music
-It's deep down in my soul
Feel the burn
-It's in my soul
It's Soul Music
-It's deep down in my soul
Feel the burn
Now I can see I got a good foundation deep down in my soul
-Its deep down in my soul
It's Soul Music
I feel the need for contemplation deep down in my soul
-It's in my soul
Soul Music
And I can feel a dark sensation deep down in my soul
-It's deep down in my soul
Soul Music
Tryin to find an explanation deep down in my soul
-It's deep down in my soul