BET’s Soul Train Awards Weekend: All Aboard The Soul Bus With Remy Ma, Angela Yee And DJ Envy
Soul Train has been around for quite some time––50 years to be exact. Over that span of time, millions of people the world over have absorbed Black cultural expression through music, dance, and fashion. The beautiful onyx, ebony and caramel complexions that beamed with pride as they shimmied down the infamous Soul Train line made even the shyest person want to get up and do the bump.
As a way to celebrate that legacy of Black excellence, BET sponsored a weekend of community-based activities spurred on by a wildly energetic street team delivering an array of swag including hoodies, t-shirts, hats, and gift cards to Black-owned restaurants. Not to mention the opportunity to spin the prize wheel for even more goodies.
The festivities began on Friday (Nov. 19) in Harlem, USA at Mikey Likes It Ice Cream, owned by Mikey Cole, as the street team joyfully wooed every passerby within the sound of their voices. The Prize Wheel was well-worn as passersby received free ice cream to go along with their various prizes. Next, we were off with the BET LIVE Soul Surprise Sprinter van to Fieldtrip, a unique rice bowl restaurant with a tasty twist owned by Chef JJ Johnson.
The energy that started at the ice cream parlor was transferred with a level of exuberance that was palpable once rapper/reality star Remy Ma entered the already crowded establishment. She greeted each of the young folk in attendance with a large smile and a genuine warmth that parallels her street-edge lyricism. Soul Train has been around for a while, true, but with more than 20 years in the game, Remy Ma can hold her own as an artist to be emulated.
“It’s hard. So many artists come out and some of them skyrocket to the top really fast,” Remy told BET.com. “A lot of people like to pay attention to that type of story. You know, instant fame. To me, it’s all about longevity. I would rather have the slow climb that lasts rather than just have a career where you jump to the top, then you just don’t see them anymore.”
“I’ve been blessed to have a brother like Fat Joe, who has managed to, from the 90s, the 2000s and all the way up till today, still remain relevant, and rich. It’s one thing just to be here; he’s still thriving and has definitely been a great blueprint for me to follow,” she continued.
After a few photo ops and more hugs and handshakes, Remy headed up to the nearby Corner Social restaurant where the BET Soul Train street team had already set up shop to whip the waiting crowd into a frenzy with prize after prize, gift card after gift card, being won.
Friday’s events in Harlem were just the start. The following day, the BET Live Soul Surprise sprinter van and street team headed out in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn–– first stop, Coffee Uplifts People.
Owned and operated by co-host of The Breakfast Club Angela Yee, Coffee Uplifts People was making its name proud, filling the crowd up with caffeine, blueberry muffins and an assortment of lattes, macchiatos, Americanos.
Yee was the consummate host as she dipped behind the register for promo shots, discussed business with workers and effortlessly interacted with fans like a true pro.
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The next stop was Tilly's Bklyn Restaurant Bar, a family-owned beer and wine establishment in the Bedford Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. Serving a wide selection of beer, wine and Caribbean infused appetizers, Yee made the walk from Coffee Uplifts People just as the action began to whip up near the restaurant.
“It’s been really fun. I love giving back and I like the fact that BET is giving away prizes. It’s so exciting when you see the looks on people’s faces when they win,” Yee said to BET.com.
“Also, I remember frequenting a lot of these places. I’m just so happy to be able to give back and give people freebies. Right now, we all need things that are going to give us a little bit of joy, like when I find a parking space.”
After more photo-ops near the Soul Train Prize Wheel, Yee made her way inside where DJ Suave was already warming up brunch attendees with the finest hip-hop selections, eventually leading the crowd into an earnest swag surfing session, which was enthusiastically led by Yee.
“Everything has been virtual and it’s very nice to have people back in person,” she said afterwards.
“I’ve been to the Soul Train Awards and it was one of the most fun experiences, and even the feeling of seeing it live is just amazing with the unity we felt just being on the red carpet, the positivity.”
The BET Live Soul Surprise Sprinter bus made a few more stops before ending the journey in Queens at VP Records and Vibes 2 with DJ Envy lending his talents to both locations. A loud and proud Queens native to his very heart, Envy participated in multiple photo-ops with adoring fans.
The entire weekend was a roving party caravan that seemed to follow the BET Live Sprinter Van wherever it went. The exuberant joy of winning impacted not only the lucky winners but all in attendance. With hip-hop, Afrobeat, R&B, dancehall, and more music from the Diaspora, it only further solidified the cultural impact and binding spirit that is Soul Train bringing a melanated joy to all those involved.
