2013 Soul Train Awards

Studded Lineup of Performers and Presenters for the 2013 Soul Train Awards

CHAKA KHAN, GLADYS KNIGHT, VANESSA WILLIAMS, WARREN G, BORIS KODJOE, VIVICA A. FOX, JON B., VANILLA ICE AND MORE ADDED TO THE STAR-STUDDED LINEUP OF PERFORMERS AND PRESENTERS FOR THE SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2013

The 2013 Soul Train Awards Tapes November 8th, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Featuring 90s Nostalgia Moments, a Blue-Eyed Soul Tribute and Special Honorees

NEW YORK, NY – October 30, 2013 – CENTRIC, a BET Network, today added to its star-studded lineup of performers and presenters for this year’s SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2013. Presenters will include Bill Bellamy, Boris Kodjoe, Vanessa A. Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Kandi Burruss, Michelle Williams, Vanilla Ice, Dolvett Quince, Mario Van Peebles, Raheem Devaughn, Nicole Ari Parker, George Benson, E-40, Larenz Tate, Hanif Carter, E!’s Alicia Quarles, Sommore and Vawn. Additionally, performers Chaka Khan, Doug E. Fresh, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Gladys Knight, Bobby V, Dave Koz, Jon B., Kenny Lattimore, Ruben Studdard, Warren G., Big Daddy Kane, and Stokley Williams will join the lineup of previously announced performers including Jennifer Hudson, Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle, Ron Isley, Wale, Eric Benet, Candice Glover, Kem, Chrisette Michele, Bobby Caldwell and Joss Stone. Comedian and actor Anthony Anderson will host the event in Las Vegas on November 8th, which will air on CENTRIC and BET, December 1, 2013 at 8PM ET.

This year’s show pays homage to the soul soundtrack of the 90s, allowing fans to reminisce on a decade of influential black cinema and music. The night will feature special moments and tributes including a 90’s Hip-Hop performance with Warren G, Dougie E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane and more, as well as a Blue-Eyed Soul performance featuring Joss Stone, Bobby Caldwell, Jon B. and Dave Koz honoring yesterday’s and today’s biggest blue-eyed superstars.

“We have carefully curated our lineup of performers and presenters to bring viewers a mix of today’s hottest acts, legends in soul and our favorite 90s nostalgia moments,” said Paxton Baker, General Manager and Executive Vice President, CENTRIC. “Every year we are excited to bring the rich Soul Train brand to life and look forward to making this the most eclectic and entertaining Soul Train Awards yet.”

For the first time, The Soul Train Awards will expand to a second stage featuring a rotating mix of DJs including Big Tigger. Grammy Award winning producers 1500 or Nothin’ and legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes have been tapped as music directors for the show and keeping the party going throughout the night.

Check out the full list of nominees below!

Best New Artist

 Bridget Kelly

 K. Michelle

 Kendrick Lamar

 Tamar Braxton

 TGT

Centric Certified Award

 Joss Stone

 Luke James

 Lyfe Jennings

 Solange

 Stacy Barthe

 Talib Kweli

Best Gospel/Inspirational Performance

 Break Every Chain - Tasha Cobbs

 Confessions- Lecrae

 Every Praise - Hezekiah Walker

 God Will Make Away - Shirley Caesar

 If He Did It Before…Same God - Tye Tribbett

 Life & Favor - John P. Kee & New Life

Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year

 Bad - Wale feat. Tiara Thomas

 High School - Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Wayne

 Holy Grail - Jay Z feat. Justin Timberlake

 Poetic Justice - Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake

 Power Trip - J. Cole feat. Miguel

 Started From the Bottom - Drake

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist

 Alicia Keys

 Chrisette Michelle

 Fantasia

 Janelle Monáe

 Kelly Rowland

 Tamar Braxton

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist

 Bruno Mars

 Charlie Wilson

 Chris Brown

 John Legend

 Miguel

 Robin Thicke

Album of the Year

 The 20/20 Experience – Justin Timberlake

 Good Kid, m.A.A.d City – Kendrick Lamar

 Kaleidoscope Dream - Miguel

 Magna Carta… Holy Grail – Jay Z

 The Side Effects of You - Fantasia

 Unapologetic - Rihanna

Song of the Year

 Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I.

 Diamonds -Rihanna

 Fine China – Chris Brown

 Love and War – Tamar Braxton

 Poetic Justice – Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake

 Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake feat. Jay Z

The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award

 Crooked Smile – J.Cole (Jermaine Cole, Meleni Smith)

 Fire We Make – Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell (Gary Clark Jr., Warren Felder, Alicia Keys, Andrew Wansel)

 Lose to Win – Fantasia (Francine Golde, Dennis Lambert, Andrea Martin, Walter Orange, Harmony Samuels)

 Love & War – Tamar Braxton (Tamar Braxton, Darhyl Camper Jr., LaShawn Daniels, Makeba Riddick)

 Mirrors – Justin Timberlake (James Fauntleroy, Jerome Harmon, Timothy Mosley, Justin Timberlake)

 Q.U.E.E.N. – Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu (Roman GianArthur Irvin , Dr. Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Janelle Monáe Robinson, Kellis Parker Jr.)

Best Dance Performance

 Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke

 Body Party - Ciara

 Fine China – Chris Brown

 Q.U.E.E.N. – Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu

 Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake feat. Jay Z

 Treasure – Bruno Mars

Video of the Year

 Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I. (Diane Martel)

 Fine China – Chris Brown (Chris Brown, Sylvain White)

 Love & War – Tamar Braxton (Walid Azami)

 Poetic Justice – Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake (The Lil Homie, Dave Free, and Dangeroo Kipawaa)

 Q.U.E.E.N. – Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu (Alan Ferguson)

 Started from the Bottom – Drake (Director X)

Best Collaboration

 Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell – Fire We Make

 Brandy feat. Chris Brown – Put It Down

 J.Cole feat. Miguel – Power Trip

 Janelle Monae feat. Erykah Badu – Q.U.E.E.N.

 Miguel feat. Kendrick Lamar – How Many Drinks

 Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell & T.I. – Blurred Lines

 Wale feat. Sam Dew – LoveHate Thing

Best International Performance (CENTRICTV.com)

 Differentology - Bunji Garlin

 The Fog - Machel Montano

 Next To Me - Emeli Sande

 Personally - P-Square

 Ur Waist – Iyanya

Best Traditional Jazz Performance (CENTRICTV.com)

 George Benson feat. Wynton Marsalis – Unforgettable

 Jeffrey Osborne feat. Chaka Khan – Baby it’s Cold Outside

 Tony Bennett feat. Marc Anthony – For Once In My Life

 Nicole Henry – Waiting In Vain

 Terrence Blanchard – Pet Step Sister’s Theme Song

Best Contemporary Jazz Performance (CENTRICTV.com)

 Jose James - Trouble

 Boney James feat. Rick Braun – Batucada (The Beat)

 Michael Bublé – It’s A Beautiful Day

 Dave Koz – Got To Get You Into My Life

 George Duke – Missing You

Best Independent R&B/Soul Performance (CENTRICTV.com)

 Ashanti - Never Should Have

 Brian McKnight - Sweeter

 Kenny Lattimore - Find A Way

 Maysa - Love Me Good

 Raheem DeVaughn - Love Connection

 Ronald Isley – Dinner And A Movie

For more information, please visit BET.com/SoulTrain. Follow us at @centrictv and @bet, and join the conversation with #SoulTrainAwards #WeGot

The 15th Annual KBLX Stone Soul Concert

Yes! It’s that time of year concerts are going on all over the country this Memorial Day Weekend. The KBLX Stone Soul Concert will be May 27, 2012, at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord California. The lineup of stars is Charlie Wilson, Chaka Khan, Cameo, Ohio Players and Lakeside. I’m sure upset that I’m going to miss this one, it’s going to be great. I remember back in the day going to the KBLX Stone Soul Concerts in Concord California. The first time I went, I purchased lawn seats that consist of a blanket that you brought from home. It got so hot out there in the sun, I kept getting up and going to were the vendor where to find some shade. I did not enjoy the concert at all. I learned my lesson the second time I went. I purchased sets under the pavilion. It was a lot more enjoyable. If you have never been to a KBLX Stone Soul Concert in Concord California, go and check it out the entertainment is great. There are all types of food, art and clothing vendors. You want to get there early if you have lawn seats, because you want to get as close to the pavilion as possible to get the shade from the pavilion.

LM

http://www.kblx.com/stonesoulconcert.php

Chaka Kahn Queen of Funk and Soul

Image via Wikipedia

I first saw Chaka Kahn in the Spring of 1974,  live and on stage at the old Circle Star Theater in San Carlos California.  My school friends and I went there to see 'Tower of Power', but it was this dynamic lead singer and her Funk Band Rufus...that stole the show!

She exploded on stage in tight fitting, pearl-white hot pants that accented her compact, curvaceous body...and free-flowing, thickly-curled burgundy-brown hair.  But, it was her huge, bright smile that lit up the arena, and powerfully clear voice that sent shivers down every spine in the house...especially mine!! 

Through her opening numbers 'Tell me something good' and "Once you get started', I sensed super stardom in Chaka's future...and while the old Circle Star stage has long since been torn down, Chaka Khan's star still shines in the music world.

Born Yvette Marie Stevens 56 years ago, she was raised in South Chicago and formed her first band "The Crystalettes" at age 11. In high school she toured with the Motown Great Mary Wells as part of an Afro arts theatre group. Then, while volunteering at a Black Panthers free childrens breakfast program in Chicago, a Yoruban Priest gave her a new name...Chaka Adunne Aduffe Yemaja Hadari Karifi...re-uniting her with her African tribal roots.

Soon after quitting high school in 1969, she met musicians Kevin Murphy and Andre Fischer to form 'Rufus', a 70's Funk Soul band that would rival other top-chart groups such as 'The Commodores', 'Ohio Players', and 'Earth Wind and Fire'. During this time Chaka dated and married Bass player Hassan Khan.

In 1974 Stevie Wonder helped promote and sell Rufus's first big hit 'Tell me something Good', and a second hit 'You got the Love'...featuring then unknown guitarist Ray Parker Junior. Hits like 'Sweet Thing', Once you get Started', and 'Everlasting Love' helped earn Chaka and the group 8 platinum albums and 2 Grammy awards. Her versatile style and ability to collaborate with other superstars,  set her apart from other singers....and the opportunities led to her breaking off on her own.

In 1978 a new solo career launched Chaka Khan on a 30-year  run of mega-hit songs including 'I'm Every Woman'(also in duet with Whitney Houston), 'I feel for you', 'Ain't Nobody', and 'Through the Fire'. During this period Chaka also collaborated on musical projects with the likes of  Michael Jackson, Prince, James Brown, Ashford and Simpson, Luther Vandross, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Rick Wakeman, Steve Winwood, and Ray Charles.

She performed movie sound tracks for "Waiting to Exhale", and  "Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar. She even helped the group 'Chicago" with a ballad and album cover, and performed the theme song for the hit kids TV show 'The Reading Room'. In the year 2000 Chaka also sang at both Republican and Democratic Conventions. 

Among Her many awards include 10 Grammy and 12 Grammy nominations, 2 BET awards including a lifetime Achievement Award, The Lena Horn Lady of Soul Career Achievement Award in 1998, and 4 American Music Award nominations.

In 1982 Chaka was even nominated best Female Jazz Vocalist while performing with Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea, and Lennie White, on an experiment called "Echoes of an Era."  She then topped that off by nabbing an Honorary Doctorate from The Berklee College of Music.   

 Since 2006 Chaka has been living in London, during which time she's continued to write songs,  tour, and even act...traveling back to the U.S. to play the part of Sofia in the play 'The Color Purple'. In early 2009 She announced she' would finish the year off performing with 'Lulu' and 'Anastacia' on a world tour called "Here Come the Girls".

Life doesn't seem to slow down much for Chaka Khan. Her song 'I'm EVERY Woman' fits her perfectly...as well has the title given by her peers..."The QUEEN of Funk and Soul".

PeteCam 4 

"Best Wishes"--PTCJr