Usher, Summer Walker And SZA Lead 2023 Soul Train Award Nominations

Congratulations to SZA, Usher and Summer Walker, who's leading the pack with nine Soul Train award nominations each.

Today, BET announced the nominees, premiere date, and location of the 2023 Soul Train Awards. Taping from a new location in Los Angeles, CA, this year’s show will reimagine the traditional award show into a nostalgic party celebrating the best in soul music and the iconic legacy brand.

The 2023 ceremony will feature an exciting lineup of electrifying performances, special moments, and appearances by some of the brightest stars in Black culture and entertainment.

Usher’s nods include Best R&B/Soul Male Artist and the Certified Soul Award.

Two of his tracks, “Boyfriend” and “Good Good” featuring Walker and 21 Savage, have been nominated for various awards, including Best Dance Performance and Video of the Year.

Walker and SZA are both up for Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, Album of the Year, The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award and Best Collaboration for their respective releases.

Coco Jones and Victoria Monét are both up for six apiece, including Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “ICU” (Jones) and “On My Mama” (Monét).

Ciara is up for three nominations, including two in the Best Dance Performance category.

Chris Brown also has multiple nods in that category, as well as Best R&B/Soul Male Artist. They both share a nomination for “How We Roll,” the lead single from Ciara’s CiCi EP.

“Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop continue to top the charts and drive culture forward. This year, we are taking inspiration from these genres to innovate and disrupt the award show format while celebrating the legacy of Soul Train,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. “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.”

“Soul Train Awards” 2023 premieres on Sunday, Nov. 26, at 8 p.m. ET on BET and BET Her.

2023 Soul Train Awards Nominees

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

Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

• Shirley Caesar – “All Of The Glory”

• Kirk Franklin – “All Things”

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

• Koryn Hawthorne – “Cry”

• Erica Campbell – “Feel Alright (Blessed)”

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

• H.E.R. – “The Journey”

• Kirk Franklin – “Try Love”

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

Album of the Year

• Janelle Monáe, The Age Of Pleasure

• Ari Lennox, age/sex/location

• Summer Walker, CLEAR 2: SOFT LIFE EP

• Babyface, Girls Night Out (Extended)

• Burna Boy, I Told Them…

• Victoria Monét, JAGUAR II

• SZA, SOS

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

Song of the Year

• October London – “Back To Your Place

• Toosii – “Favorite Song”

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

• Coco Jones – “ICU”

• SZA – “Kill Bill”

• Janelle Monáe – “Lipstick Lover”

• Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”

• SZA – “Snooze”

The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award

• October London – “Back To Your Place

• Toosii – “Favorite Song”

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

• Coco Jones – “ICU”

• SZA – “Kill Bill”

• Janelle Monáe – “Lipstick Lover”

• Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage – Sittin’ On Top Of The World”

• SZA – “Snooze”

Best Dance Performance

• Ciara Feat. Summer Walker – “Better Thangs”

• Usher – “Boyfriend”

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

• Ciara & Chris Brown – “How We Roll”

• Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”

• SZA – “Snooze”

• Chris Brown – “Summer Too Hot”

• Chris Brown – “Under The Influence”

Video of the Year

• October London – “Back To Your Place

• PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – “Boy’s A Liar, Pt. 2”

• Usher – “Boyfriend”

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

• Coco Jones – “ICU”

• SZA – “Kill Bill”

• Janelle Monáe – “Lipstick Lover”

• Victoria Monét – “On My Mama”

• Lizzo – “Special”

Best Collaboration

• Beyoncé Feat. Kendrick Lamar – “America Has A Problem (Remix)”

• PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – “Boy’s A Liar, Pt. 2”

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

• FLO Feat. Missy Elliott – “Fly Girl”

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

• Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage – “Sittin’ On Top Of The World”

• Lizzo feat. SZA – “Special (Remix)”

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