The Soul Train Awards are back on track, and some of R&B’s biggest names are in the running for the first trophies of the show’s revamped era.
After confirming the ceremony’s comeback, BET has unveiled the nominees for two brand-new categories that will see fans decide who takes home the coveted awards.
With the likes of Bruno Mars, Kehlani, Chris Brown, Tems, and Tyla in contention, the competition is looking fierce.
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For the first time, the Soul Train Awards will introduce fan-voted categories, with R&B/Soul Song of the Year decided via BET.com and Spotify’s RNB X International Artist voted for within the streaming platform’s app.
The nominations arrive as the ceremony prepares to return after a three-year absence.
Anthony Anderson, who was recently announced as host, will steer the festivities from Chicago, the birthplace of the original ‘Soul Train.’
Soul Train Awards 2026 Nominees
R&B/Soul Song of the Year
- Brent Faiyaz – ‘Butterflies’
- Bruno Mars – ‘I Just Might’
- Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller – ‘It Depends’
- Daniel Caesar – ‘Who Knows’
- Justin Bieber – ‘Yukon’
- Kehlani – ‘Folded’
- Mariah the Scientist feat. Kali Uchis – ‘Is It a Crime’
- Olivia Dean – ‘Man I Need’
- Tems – ‘What You Need’
- Tyla – ‘Chanel’
Spotify’s RNB X International Artist
- Cleo Sol
- FLO
- kwn
- Odeal
- PARTYNEXTDOOR
- Tems
- Tiana Major9
Voting is open now through October 16, with fans able to vote for R&B/Soul Song of the Year here and select their International Artist winner on Spotify.
In another twist, viewers can also vote for the 20 Greatest R&B Songs of the 2020s from a shortlist of 64 tracks. The results will be revealed during the ‘Back on Track’ red carpet special, streaming on YouTube and Facebook.
The Soul Train Awards 2026 air Friday, November 27 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and CBS, with additional simulcasts on BET Her, VH1, MTV2, and LOGO.
Performers and special honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Flopppppp…….
Right! Where are the full blood BLACK Americans? I can’t with this new music wave. It’s nauseating at best smh 🤮
I hope Tems wins. As far as a lot of people on that list are concerned, “I don’t know her” in my Mariah Carey voice.