1 / 39

Bobby Brown & Whitney Houston - Bobby gives Whitney the Bodyguard treatment on the red carpet.  (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Ron Galella

2 / 39

Boyz II Men  - Always the charmers, Michael McCary, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman show off their award. As you can see by the picture, they were all clearly men by the time of this award. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

3 / 39

Brandy - If there’s anything this picture is indicative of it’s that at one point Brandy really was a talented singer. If the boy wasn't hers, at least this Soul Train award was.  (Photo:  JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

4 / 39

Tyrese - When this photo was taken, it was the norm for performers to do their best Tupac impression.  Actually, it was never cool but that didn’t stop Tyrese from hopping on stage and performing an R&B ballad while throwing up ‘Westside.’  Ironically, Tyrese would eventually take on a movie role that was initially written with Tupac in mind (Jody in Baby Boy). (Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)

5 / 39

Destiny’s Child - Few may have imagined these three to blow up to the degree that they did, but few will question that they knew how to put out hits. Though barely adults at the time of this award, their sophomore album Writings on the Wall was a radio-friendly banger that garnered awards, plaques and sold-out shows for years to come. (Photo:  Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)

6 / 39

Lil Kim - Seriously—this is conservative for the Queen Bee. When Lil Kim was at her prime she was known for her female anthems just as much as her red carpet wardrobe—the most famous being the infamous 1999 MTV Video Music Award outfit.(Photo: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

7 / 39

Erykah Badu - Before her notoriety amongst the rap community for turning rappers into crochet-hat-wearing emo types, Erykah Badu was known for her refreshing brand of soul music, distinct style and eye-catching head wraps. (Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)

8 / 39

Toni Braxton - We’re just as surprised that Toni Braxton would go from celebrated R&B singer to reality TV star with a cache of sisters each with their own distinct personality. We wonder what Tamar was thinking while she was watching this performance. (Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)

9 / 39

Macy Gray - Though not as prolific of a singer as many would have hoped, Macy Gray’s “I Try” would ensure her 1999 debut album, On How Life Is, triple platinum success. (Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)

10 / 39

Halle Berry - Much has changed for Ms. Berry since she’s achieved this award but she still manages to retain her beauty and class despite it all. (Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)

11 / 39

Da Brat - Da Brat shines at the 6th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. Don't hate on the suit, y'all. (Photo: Kevin Winter/ImageDirect)

12 / 39

Mary J. Blige - It’s still amazing to see the transformation that Mary has gone through since her entrance into the music industry. Despite the drama and all of the ups and downs, she has managed to emerge from it all unscathed and still wearing the crown as the Queen of Hip Hop Soul. (Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage)

13 / 39

Michael Jackson - RIP the King of Pop—the Soul Train will never be the same without you. (Photo by Jim Smeal/WireImage)

14 / 39

Patti Labelle, Luther Vandross and Natalie Cole - RIP Luther Vandross. Patti gives Luther a peck while Natalie gives him a hearty pat on the back. (Photo: Jim Smeal/WireImage)

15 / 39

Berry Gordy and Diana Ross - Like a scene out of Dreamgirls, Motown’s Berry Gordy and singer Diana Ross show their award. (Photo: SGranitz/WireImage)

16 / 39

Mary Mary - Who knew Mary Mary would catapult to the forefront of gospel music stardom? Soul Train knew. We knew even back in 2002. Good job you two!  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

17 / 39

Missy Elliot - Is that Tweet standing next to her? Who knew that nine years later the word “tweet” would be synonymous with something folks do when they have too much free time. And who knew nine years later Missy Elliot would go on a recording hiatus, but manage to pop up on the recently released J. Cole debut, Cole World. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

18 / 39

Nelly and Kelly Rowland - Back in 2002, Nelly and Kelly Rowland scored a hit with the song “Dilemma,” which was featured on Nelly’s album Nellyville. (Photo: Robert Mora/Getty Images)

19 / 39

Alicia Keys - Few remember that before she was Ms. Beatz, Alicia Keys was a child prodigy raised by her mother in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen. Let’s hear it for New York, folks. (Photo:  Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

20 / 39

Dr. Dre - While Dre was busy winning awards, the rest of us watched and wondered if and when Detox would ever see the light of day. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

21 / 39

Ja Rule and Ashanti - Isn’t this a blast from the past? There was a time when Ja Rule and Ashanti were hip hop’s Sonny & Cher.  (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

22 / 39

Angela Bassett - Just like Halle Berry, Angela Bassett was the recipient of the Lena Horne Award. Bassett’s contributions to Hollywood have been phenomenal. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

23 / 39

Jay-Z - Looking at this picture is like looking at your high school yearbook—the only thing you can think is how much things have changed. Here we have arguably the greatest rapper in history on stage at the Soul Train Awards wearing an All-Star football jersey with bling at that. Now look at him in the present—suit wearing, father-to-be and successful business owner. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

24 / 39

LL Cool J and Wife Simone - Before being honored with an I Am Hip Hop Award courtesy of the BET Hip Hop Awards, LL Cool J was the recipient of the Outstanding Career Achievement award via the 17th Annual Soul Train Awards. (Photo: Arnold Turner/WireImage)

25 / 39

Queen Latifah and Arsenio Hall - We’re not sure what happened here. Queen Latifah  looks like she’s finishing up her night while Arsenio is distracted by something up above. A bird? A plane? The script for Coming to America 2?  (Photo:  Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo:  Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

26 / 39

Justin Timberlake - Justin Timberlake proved to audiences everywhere that he had the soul and swagger to branch off on his own with the release of his solo debut, Justified. (Photo:  Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

27 / 39

OutKast - It’s probably a safe bet that the new generation sees OutKast together most often on BET Star Cinema when Idlewild runs. Sadly, 2004 marked an end of an era for the two since this was the last time they put out an album together.(Photo: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

28 / 39

Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland - Maybe one day—just maybe—we’ll see Beyoncé present Kelly with an Entertainer of the Year Award on the Soul Train Awards. Of course when this photo was taken, Beyoncé had released a wildly successful solo album and had folks everywhere doing the booty hop. (Photo:  Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

29 / 39

Janet Jackson - In 2004, Janet Jackson was honored with the Quincy Jones Award. Having followed in her brothers’ footsteps, Jackson has had a successful pop music career and had an insurmountable influence in the ‘90s. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

30 / 39

Ice Cube - Straight outta Compton and right into the Soul Train Awards, Ice Cube’s career changes have took him from the hood to Hollywood, making him one of the boldest actor-director-producers to have ever started out as a rapper.   (Photo: J. Merritt/FilmMagic)

31 / 39

Chris Brown - It’s hard to believe that just five years ago Chris Brown was a burgeoning R&B/pop star who many likened to being the next Michael Jackson. Despite all the controversy since, Brown has managed to turn his act around and continues to put out crossover R&B hits adored by music fans everywhere. (Photo:  Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

32 / 39

Tyrese Gibson and Vivica A. Fox - If I had to make a guess, Tyrese purposely wore super heavy shades so that he could ask Vivica to help escort him on stage. Bravo Black Ty, bravo.  (Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

33 / 39

Jamie Foxx - The Ray actor accepts the Quincy Jones Award at the 20th Soul Train Awards, all while making sure to flash a silly grin at the audience. (Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images

34 / 39

R. Kelly and Stevie Wonder - R. Kelly receives the Stevie Wonder Award from the man himself. (Photo:  Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo:  Vince Bucci/Getty Images

35 / 39

Jill Scott - Having just won a Best R&B/Soul Single Solo Award, Jill Scott exudes a positive energy that the whole audience can feel.(Photo: Steve Grayson/WireImage)

36 / 39

Charlie Wilson - Many forget that Uncle Charlie was once the lead vocalist for the Gap Band. Here he accepts the ICON award in 2009.  (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

37 / 39

Erykah Badu and Chaka Khan - Chaka Khan was honored for Soul Train Awards 2009. Erykah Badu presented the “Through the Fire” singer with her award and laughed it up on stage as well.  (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

38 / 39

Melanie Fiona - Winning the award for Best New Artist at last year’s Soul Train Awards, Fiona takes the stage this year as a performer.   (Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images)

39 / 39

Keyshia Cole - Keyshia Cole makes her mark on Soul Train Awards 2010.(Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Moses Robinson/Getty Images