Paying tribute to the legendary singer Anita Baker, Chrisette Michele, Faith Evans, El DeBarge, and other R&B greats graced the stage at the 2010 Soul Train Music Awards to honor her better than anyone has before. Performing a medley of her greatest hits, the worlds of yesterday and today were folded into each other, creating an unforgettably warm experience for everyone involved.
 

There’s a reason that Gladys Knight is known as the Empress of Soul. She’s won seven Grammy Awards and ruled the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with her powerful hits that bent the world of soul music around her. When she received the Legend Award, it was the world’s recognition that she’s been ahead of the curve for so long in her career. Her acceptance of the award came with smiles and a passionate speech.
 

In 2012, Frank Ocean was a fledgling singer on the rise thanks to hit songs like “Novacane” and “Pyramids.” His world was forever changed when he won the award for Album of the Year for Channel Orange, his long-awaited studio debut, beating out Nas’ Life is Good, Usher’s Looking 4 Myself, and more. The world was shocked and excited for Ocean to get the validation that his young career deserved.

Old School Hip-Hop was alive and well at the 2013 Soul Train Music Awards when Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick hit the stage as the Get Fresh Crew. They took things back to rap's Golden Age with a performance of “Children’s Story” amongst other timeless classics. Big Daddy Kane brought back some moves from the 1980s and Doug E. Fresh even found time to teach Cali Swag District how to do the “Dougie” the right way.

It’s funny in retrospect: Pharrell Williams made “Happy” as a single for the animated film Despicable Me 2 — the kind of gig many artists would have phoned in. But upon release, the song became the kind of infectious anthem, and smash hit, that’s impossible to replicate — one that can literally force you to break into a smile with the first notes. He took home the award for Song of the Year and Video of the Year at the 2014 Soul Train Awards, proving to the world that happiness will always win.

From American Idol to the Soul Train Music Awards, Fantasia’s journey has been spectacular to see. She’s a superwoman in human form, so when she performed the track of the same name at the 2015 ceremony, it was like she had an S on her chest, pushing powerful vocals from the bosom of her dress. With Babyface on the piano and steam flowing around the stage, she created a legendary performance that will withstand the test of time.

It’s indisputable that Dru Hill are three kings of classic R&B music. When they graced the stage of the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards, the world had a chance to see them in action again with a high energy performance of classic hits like “Tell Me” and “Sleeping In My Bed.” Sisqo, in particular, looked like he was ready to go on another tour.

Clad in all black suits and armed with slippery dance moves, 112 had the crowd on its feet at the 2017 Soul Train Music Awards. They performed “Dangerous Game” and “It’s Over Now” to the crowd’s excitement, showcasing that R&B acts get better with time.
 

New Jack Swing music makes for some of the best, most-amped up performances that you can find. At the 2018 Soul Train Music Awards, this fact was backed up when Bell Biv Devoe launched into high octane performances of both “Do Me” and “Poison.” The dance moves that made them stars in the early 1990s — separate from New Edition — were brought back live and direct, to even greater effect.

K. Michelle’s powerhouse vocals were the star of her simple and clean performance at the 2019 Soul Train Music Awards. During a night of spectacular shows with all manner of dance moves and flashy sets, the singer switched things up from her peers by standing in the middle of a stage and letting a group of guys dance around her. The simplicity was refreshing and it gave her voice the floor, providing an unforgettable experience.