# 2009 Soul Train Music Awards
The **2009 Soul Train Music Awards** (branded as CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS) was a revival of the [Soul Train Music Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/soul-train-music-awards), an R&B and soul music honors program, taped on November 3, 2009 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia and broadcast on November 29 as a simulcast on BET and Centric.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/love-peace-and-soul-reigned-centric-presents-2009-soul-train) • [2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-show-brings-viewers-soul) It marked the return of the classic awards show after a two-year hiatus, and its premiere drew 4.0 million total viewers, the number one telecast for the fourth quarter in BET history.[3](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Taping / premiere | Taped November 3, 2009, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta; premiered Sunday, November 29, 9:00–11:00 p.m. ET/PT on BET and Centric[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/love-peace-and-soul-reigned-centric-presents-2009-soul-train) • [3](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november) |
| Hosts | Academy Award-nominated actors Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-show-brings-viewers-soul) |
| Viewership | 4.0 million total viewers; #1 telecast for the fourth quarter in BET history; 2.2 million adults 18-49[3](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november) |
| Nomination leaders | Beyonce, Keri Hilson, and Maxwell, four nominations each[4](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/a0d1b6c0-8133-4b85-84c2-17a157b6e1fd) |
| Special honors | Michael Jackson, Entertainer of the Year; Chaka Khan and Charlie Wilson, Legend Award tributes[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-show-brings-viewers-soul) |
| Production | Produced by Sunseeker Media, directed by Manny Rodriguez and Alex Coletti, in collaboration with BET Event Productions[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-show-brings-viewers-soul) |
## Background and revival
The Soul Train Music Awards, established in 1987 and named for the syndicated music-dance program *Soul Train*, had last aired in 2007.[3](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november) • [5](https://societyawards.com/press/pdf/108_tvovermind-com-a-brief-history-of-the-soul-train-music-awards.pdf) [Don Cornelius](https://www.edgepedia.org/don-cornelius), who founded the show, was no longer part of it after selling [Soul Train](https://www.edgepedia.org/soul-train) to MadVision Entertainment in 2008.[6](https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/blogging-from-the-2009-soul-train-awards/DPjyguemIiTbxCErwc8FMO/) The 2009 revival was mounted for Centric, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience, in collaboration with BET Networks, and moved the ceremony to Atlanta after years in the Los Angeles area.[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-show-brings-viewers-soul) • [6](https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/blogging-from-the-2009-soul-train-awards/DPjyguemIiTbxCErwc8FMO/)
The revival also introduced a new trophy. In 2009, Tristan Eaton of Thunderdog Studios designed a statuette in the shape of an actual train, replacing the trademark African ceremonial mask used for the earlier Heritage Award trophy; it is manufactured by Society Awards, a firm based in New York.[5](https://societyawards.com/press/pdf/108_tvovermind-com-a-brief-history-of-the-soul-train-music-awards.pdf)
## Nominations and honors
Nominations were announced on October 22, 2009, with Beyonce, Keri Hilson, and Maxwell leading the field at four each.[4](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/a0d1b6c0-8133-4b85-84c2-17a157b6e1fd) Hilson was nominated for best collaboration, record and song of the year, and best new artist, where Drake, Jazmine Sullivan, Ryan Leslie, and Solange were also nominated.[7](https://news.pollstar.com/2009/10/23/soul-train-awards-gets-high-hilson-ratings/) The show recognized work in ten music categories.[4](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/a0d1b6c0-8133-4b85-84c2-17a157b6e1fd)
Special tributes honored the longstanding careers of [Chaka Khan](https://www.edgepedia.org/chaka-khan), Charlie Wilson, L.A. Reid, and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, along with a Motown Records 50th [Anniversary](https://www.edgepedia.org/anniversary) musical celebration.[4](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/a0d1b6c0-8133-4b85-84c2-17a157b6e1fd) The late [Michael Jackson](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-jackson), who had died in June 2009, was acknowledged with the special Entertainer of the Year Award.[2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-show-brings-viewers-soul)
## Ceremony and performances
The taping ran long: it started 30 minutes late and ended three hours later, and only three awards were handed out during the taping itself, with [Keri Hilson](https://www.edgepedia.org/keri-hilson), an Atlanta artist, the only winner in attendance.[6](https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/blogging-from-the-2009-soul-train-awards/DPjyguemIiTbxCErwc8FMO/) The show opened with a duet by [Toni Braxton](https://www.edgepedia.org/toni-braxton) and [Trey Songz](https://www.edgepedia.org/trey-songz) on "Yesterday," and the hosts opened with a duet of Peaches & Herb's "Reunited."[6](https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/blogging-from-the-2009-soul-train-awards/DPjyguemIiTbxCErwc8FMO/) The emotional highlight was the tribute to Chaka Khan, during which Angie Stone, singing "Ain't Nobody," left the stage to duet spontaneously with Khan.[6](https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/blogging-from-the-2009-soul-train-awards/DPjyguemIiTbxCErwc8FMO/) Performers also included Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Keri Hilson, Fantasia, Boyz II Men, Chrisette Michele, Ryan Leslie, Raheem DeVaughn featuring Ludacris, and Mario featuring Sean Garrett.[3](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november) • [2](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-show-brings-viewers-soul) A video tribute to Michael Jackson showed clips of the Jackson Five on *Soul Train*, with Don Cornelius heard crediting their frequent appearances with giving the show credibility.[6](https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/blogging-from-the-2009-soul-train-awards/DPjyguemIiTbxCErwc8FMO/)
## Winners
Beyonce won three awards: Best R&B/Soul Artist Female, Song of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," and Album of the Year for *I Am... Sasha Fierce*.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/love-peace-and-soul-reigned-centric-presents-2009-soul-train) The other announced winners were:[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/love-peace-and-soul-reigned-centric-presents-2009-soul-train)
- Best New Artist: Keri Hilson
- Best Male R&B/Soul Artist: Maxwell
- Record of the Year (Songwriter Award): [Jamie Foxx](https://www.edgepedia.org/jamie-foxx) featuring T-Pain, "Blame It"
- Best Reggae Artist: [Sean Paul](https://www.edgepedia.org/sean-paul)
- Centric Award, Soul Approved/Underground: Maysa
## Reception and ratings
The November 29 premiere drew 4.0 million total viewers, making it the number one telecast for the fourth quarter in BET history.[3](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november) Compared with the last airing in 2007, the broadcast posted gains of 144 percent in viewership and 192 percent among adults 18-49, and ranked as the number one Soul Train Awards telecast ever among adults 18-49, with 2.2 million viewers in that demographic.[3](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november) • [8](https://www.nexttv.com/news/bet-scores-4-million-viewers-soul-train-awards-363733) Ratings grew every half hour, and Soul Train Awards-related terms dominated the top 10 trending topics on Twitter on the night of the premiere.[3](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november)
## References
1. [Love, Peace and Soul Reigned at the 'CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS' Show Taping on Tuesday, November 3, BET Networks/Paramount](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/love-peace-and-soul-reigned-centric-presents-2009-soul-train)
2. [CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS Show Brings Viewers Soul-Stirring Tributes and Star-Studded Performances on Sunday, November 29 at 9:00 PM, BET Networks/Paramount](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-show-brings-viewers-soul)
3. [The Premiere of 'CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS' on Sunday, November 29 Garners 4 Million Total Viewers on BET Networks, BET Networks/Paramount](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/premiere-centric-presents-2009-soul-train-awards-sunday-november)
4. [Beyonce, Maxwell and Keri Hilson Lead the Nominations for the CENTRIC PRESENTS: 2009 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS SHOW, BET Networks/Paramount](https://ir.paramount.com/static-files/a0d1b6c0-8133-4b85-84c2-17a157b6e1fd)
5. [A Brief History of the Soul Train Music Awards, TVOvermind/Society Awards](https://societyawards.com/press/pdf/108_tvovermind-com-a-brief-history-of-the-soul-train-music-awards.pdf)
6. [Blogging from… the 2009 Soul Train Awards, Rodney Ho, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution](https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/blogging-from-the-2009-soul-train-awards/DPjyguemIiTbxCErwc8FMO/)
7. [Soul Train Awards Gets High Hilson Ratings, Pollstar News](https://news.pollstar.com/2009/10/23/soul-train-awards-gets-high-hilson-ratings/)
8. [BET Scores 4 Million Viewers For 'Soul Train Awards', Multichannel News/Next TV](https://www.nexttv.com/news/bet-scores-4-million-viewers-soul-train-awards-363733)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music institutions and events › Music awards › United States major music awards › Soul Train Music Awards › Soul Train Music Awards ceremonies, 2005–2009*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license