Soul Train Awards 2009

With BET network taking over the award show for its first year, The Soul Train Awards had a modern day face lift with the same great classic feel. Many original dancers showed up to grace The Soul Train line. Many legendary performers such,Johnny Gill and Bootsy Collins also came to honor Grammy winning singer-songwriter, Chaka Kahn and R&B/soul singer, also lead vocalist for the Gap Band, Charlie Wilson. This year Soul Train was something not to be missed. While the highlights far overshadowed the low, the low lights deserved to be mentioned as well. Here is why The Soul Train awards was a great show.

Taraji P. Henson and Terrance Howard
BET picked the perfect pair to host the show. Both strong, black, very successful and at the height of their careers (Taraji was nominated for an Academy Award for her amazing performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Terrence nominated for an Academy Award for Hustle and Flow.) Taraij is also coming off a spectacular performance in Tyler Perrys I Can Do Bad All By Myself. They had a noticeable chemistry throughout the show which led to a very steamy kiss between the two. They acted out soul train skits so well it made my mother smile. Hope to see them again next year!

Modern Face Lift
Soul Train was about new artist coming and performing their songs so people could show off their clothes and dance skills dancing down The Soul Train line. BET chose to welcome new artists both underground and mainstream. Myself being a loyal neo-soul fan for years appreciated the likes of neo-soul front liners Ryan Leslie, Raheem Devaughn, Angie Stone,and Chrisette Michele. R Leslie, and Angie Stone gave powerful entertaining performances. Even Fantasia blew the socks off of the cover of Chakas "Tell Me Something Good." The stage also had a classic feel with a constant soul train line going on and people dancing below instead of seats in the front. A few original Soul Train dancers appeared as well. It almost felt like a new episode of The Souuuuuuuuuuuuuuul Train ("crescendo").

Chaka Kahn and Charlie Wilson performances

Both looked and sounded excellent. Charlie sounded great with the live band. Even in older age they were more powerful than before. Chaka was really a treat to see even if it was ever so briefly. Her voice somehow even better than before. Her love of the stage and performing truly shown through. It was touching to see her become emotional during her acceptance speech.

Low Lights.

Keri Hilson winning all the awards
OK sure, Keri is a successful songwriter that belongs to a group of producing/ songwriting hit makers known as The Clutch, and don't get me wrong, shes disgustingly marketable, with her model good looks, perfect voluptuous body and the elegance poise and sophistication of the First Lady. Ms. Hilson should probably stick to her day job and continue writing songs behind the scene. Her live voice is not very strong at all. If any of the awards went to her they should really have gone Polow da Don, timberland and Zone 4. Without them shes another Solange Knoles barely making album sales. Her long career enables her with the contacts and money to call on such big named hit making producers. Excuse my rant but she won over Harvard graduate Ryan Leslie who makes his own music in his own studio. He writes composes and sings his own songs, not to mention a handful of others. She won over Jazmin Sullivan with a voice as big as Ms. Chaka herself. Even Drake, even though hes overplayed, I still feel he has lasting appeal more so than Ms. Hilson. Just keep writing songs for Britney, do not attempt to sing them.

Weak Performances
Maybe not weak, but they were sub-par. I felt like some of the tribute performers should have studied the song they were to cover. Genuwine, in my opinion was one of the worst. Kandi Burruss, another talented singer-songwriter that should maybe stick to the songwriting part like Keri Hilson. Keri Hilsons performance was of course weak as well. I don't know if it had something to do with the stage or BET hiring interns for sound techs, but alot of the performers were off. Mario is was off key, even Raheem DeVaughn sounded a little pitchy. K-Ci was just down right ridiculous, screaming in the mike and running all over the stage. It was hilarious to watch him. I almost thought it was Bobby Brown relapsing for a minute. Most of the performances didn't leave a lasting effect. Chrisette Michele ws probably the best performance.

The Pre-Show
Is it just me or was Fonzworth (host in the baby blue blazer) irritating and ill-fitting for the job? He asked a couple funny questions and his approach and demeanor didn't seem to fit that of a host or interviewer. The Pre-Show was pretty boring. All the stars were distracted by one another. They surely didn't need an hour long pre-show.

Id like to commend BET on keeping it simple yet spectacular. The show truly was amazing. I am also noticing in the wake of President Obama being elected as our first black president, BET has changed its image for the better. During the Michael Jackson tribute, they dedicated the show to humanitarians Alicia Keyes and Wycleff Jean for their contributions, and starting charities in Africa and Haiti. They also highlighted strong, successful black men and women. Heroes in real life. Some doctors, and esteemed teachers. They used the Soul Train Awards to spread awareness about the 2010 census. They have developed a more positive image to encourage the African American community. They have also been vigorously involved in voting awareness in the black community. Now they have adopted The Soul Train awards and I am happy they have. The Soul Train awards was an awesome show. I feel Soul Train is in its rightful home. I cant wait to see what next year brings.