# 2013 Soul Train Music Awards
The 2013 [Soul Train Music Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/soul-train-music-awards) was an R&B and soul awards ceremony hosted by actor and comedian [Anthony Anderson](https://www.edgepedia.org/anthony-anderson), taped on November 8, 2013 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and broadcast on December 1, 2013 on BET and Centric at 9 PM ET/PT.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) • [2](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kendrick-lamar-leads-soul-train-awards-nominees/) [Kendrick Lamar](https://www.edgepedia.org/kendrick-lamar) led all nominees with six, and Tamar Braxton and Robin Thicke were the evening's leading winners with two awards each.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) • [3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Host | Anthony Anderson, actor and comedian, known for "Guys with Kids" and "Law & Order"[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) |
| Venue and dates | Taped November 8, 2013 at the Orleans Arena, Las Vegas; aired December 1, 2013 on BET and Centric[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) |
| Nomination leader | Kendrick Lamar, six nominations; Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Chris Brown, and Tamar Braxton tied with five[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) |
| Special honors | Dionne Warwick received the Legend Award; Keith Sweat received the Lifetime Achievement Award[4](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stars-gather-for-soul-train-awards-in-las-vegas/) |
| Top categories | Album of the Year: Kendrick Lamar, *Good Kid, M.A.A.D City*; Song of the Year: Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell & T.I., "Blurred Lines"[3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/) |
| Video of the Year | "Q.U.E.E.N." by Janelle Monae featuring Erykah Badu[3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/) |
| Categories | 16 award categories, some not televised[3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/) |
## Nomination field
Kendrick Lamar's six nominations spanned Best New Artist, Album of the Year for *Good Kid, M.A.A.D City*, Song of the Year and Video of the Year for "Poetic Justice" featuring Drake, Best Collaboration, and Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) • [2](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kendrick-lamar-leads-soul-train-awards-nominees/) Miguel, Justin Timberlake, Robin Thicke, Chris Brown, and [Tamar Braxton](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamar-braxton) tied with five nominations each.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards)
The Album of the Year field paired Lamar against [Justin Timberlake](https://www.edgepedia.org/justin-timberlake)'s *The 20/20 Experience*, Miguel's *Kaleidoscope Dream*, Jay Z's *Magna Carta...Holy Grail*, Fantasia's *Side Effects of You*, and Rihanna's *Unapologetic*.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) The Song of the Year ballot listed "Blurred Lines" by Thicke featuring Pharrell & T.I., "Diamonds" by Rihanna, "Fine China" by [Chris Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/chris-brown), "Love and War" by Braxton, "Poetic Justice" by Lamar featuring Drake, and "Suit & Tie" by Timberlake featuring Jay Z.[2](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kendrick-lamar-leads-soul-train-awards-nominees/)
Other categories covered gospel and inspirational performance, hip-hop song of the year, dance performance, collaboration, international performance, traditional and contemporary jazz performance, and independent R&B/soul performance.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) The show honored artists in 12 different categories according to Centric's September announcement; the winners tally published after the broadcast counted 16.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) • [3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/)
## Special honors and tributes
[Dionne Warwick](https://www.edgepedia.org/dionne-warwick) received the Legend Award, with tribute performances from [Gladys Knight](https://www.edgepedia.org/gladys-knight), Ronald Isley, Eric Benet, Ruben Studdard, Kenny Lattimore, Bobby V, and "American Idol" winner Candice Glover.[4](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stars-gather-for-soul-train-awards-in-las-vegas/) Keith Sweat took the Lifetime Achievement Award and sang a medley of songs with [Faith Evans](https://www.edgepedia.org/faith-evans).[4](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stars-gather-for-soul-train-awards-in-las-vegas/)
The performance lineup also included [Jennifer Hudson](https://www.edgepedia.org/jennifer-hudson), Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle, and [Smokey Robinson](https://www.edgepedia.org/smokey-robinson).[3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/) • [5](https://www.thewrap.com/jennifer-hudson-tamar-braxton-smokey-robinson-among-soul-train-awards-performers/) Cast members of [Cirque du Soleil](https://www.edgepedia.org/cirque-du-soleil) performed a special tribute to Michael Jackson.[4](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stars-gather-for-soul-train-awards-in-las-vegas/)
## Winners
Album of the Year went to Kendrick Lamar's *Good Kid, M.A.A.D City*, while Song of the Year and Best Collaboration both went to [Robin Thicke](https://www.edgepedia.org/robin-thicke)'s "Blurred Lines" featuring Pharrell & T.I.[3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/) Tamar Braxton won Best R&B/Soul Female Artist, and her "Love & War", written with Darhyl Camper Jr., LaShawn Daniels, and Makeba Riddick, took the Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award.[3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/) Janelle Monae's "Q.U.E.E.N." featuring [Erykah Badu](https://www.edgepedia.org/erykah-badu) won Video of the Year.[3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/)
The full winners list:[3](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/)
- Best New Artist: [K. Michelle](https://www.edgepedia.org/k-michelle)
- Centric Certified Award: Luke James
- Best Gospel/Inspirational Performance: "If He Did It Before...Same God" by Tye Tribbett
- Best Hip Hop Song of the Year: "Bad" by Wale featuring Tiara Thomas
- Best R&B/Soul Female Artist: Tamar Braxton
- Best R&B/Soul Male Artist: Miguel
- Album of the Year: *Good Kid, M.A.A.D City* by Kendrick Lamar
- Song of the Year: "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell & T.I.
- The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award: "Love & War" written by Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper Jr., LaShawn Daniels, and Makeba Riddick
- Best Dance Performance: "Body Party" by Ciara
- Video of the Year: "Q.U.E.E.N." by Janelle Monae featuring Erykah Badu
- Best Collaboration: "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell & T.I.
- Best International Performance: "Differentology" by Bunji Garlin
- Best Traditional Jazz Performance: "Waiting In Vain" by Nicole Henry
- Best Contemporary Jazz Performance: "Missing You" by George Duke
- Best Independent R&B/Soul Performance: "Never Should Have" by Ashanti
## Production and venue
The show was directed by Tony McCuin and produced by BET Event Productions and Sunseeker Media, with executive producers Paxton Baker, Tami Willis-Arasli, and Derek Lewis from Centric, Bart Phillips from Sunseeker, and Kenard Gibbs from Soul Train Holdings.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards) The Orleans Arena, a Boyd Gaming facility just west of the Las Vegas Strip, was marking its tenth anniversary in 2013 and had recently been ranked No. 1 in the United States among venues of similar size by Venues Today Magazine.[1](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards)
## References
1. [Actor And Comedian Anthony Anderson To Host 2013 Soul Train Awards In Las Vegas On November 8, 2013, BET Networks press release via Paramount](https://ir.paramount.com/news-releases/news-release-details/actor-and-comedian-anthony-anderson-host-2013-soul-train-awards)
2. [Kendrick Lamar leads Soul Train Awards nominees, CBS News (September 17, 2013)](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kendrick-lamar-leads-soul-train-awards-nominees/)
3. [2013 Soul Train Awards Winners, Rated R&B (December 2, 2013)](https://ratedrnb.com/2013/12/2013-soul-train-awards-winners/)
4. [Stars gather for Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas, CBS News (November 8, 2013)](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/stars-gather-for-soul-train-awards-in-las-vegas/)
5. [Jennifer Hudson, Tamar Braxton, Smokey Robinson Among Soul Train Awards Performers, TheWrap (October 10, 2013)](https://www.thewrap.com/jennifer-hudson-tamar-braxton-smokey-robinson-among-soul-train-awards-performers/)
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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, 2010–2013*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 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