2015 Soul Train Awards: Recap, Winners, Performances
The Weeknd and Jidenna were the big winners at the 2015 Soul Train Awards, which aired Sunday night after being taped on Friday, Nov. 6 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Erykah Badu hosted the night and also opened the show with a medley of her own songs, according to CNN.
The Weeknd tied with Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk" featuring Bruno Mars for most wins, as they both received two awards each. The Weeknd took home the honor for best R&B/soul male artist and album of the year for "Beauty Behind the Madness." Ronson's song nabbed the awards for song of the year and video of the year.
Jidenna, who is known for his song "Classic Man," won for best new artist.
Badu, who had hosted the awards show once before in 1999, said she was given the freedom to really be herself while on stage.
"They gave me an associate producer's role this year, so I was a part of the show from its inception. And as a writer on the show, they allowed me to be super loose. So it created a really comfortable, fun atmosphere. I was tickled most of the time," she said.
The "Window Seat" singer also called out Iggy Azalea during the night, calling her a "bad influence" on current rappers. At one point she took a phone call while on stage and told the caller Azalea was invited to the awards show, but that she was "definitely not rap."
Other performances throughout the evening included Tyrese, R. Kelly, Jazmine Sullivan, Cameo, Erica Campbell, Tasha Cobbs, "Empire's" V. Bozeman and After 7. Badu also participated in the classic Soul Train Soul Cypher, an idea conceived by the singer herself, with Chrisette Michele, K-Ci Hailey, Lalah Hathaway and Eddie Levert.
"I felt it would be really cool," Badu said after the taping of the awards show. "I handpicked the artists and the music; I was just amazed that it came together so fast. It was one of the most brilliantly received pieces of the evening."
There were also special tributes to Jill Scott and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds during the night. Scott received the first-ever Lady of Soul Award, while Babyface received the Legend Award.
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