PASADENA, Calif.-Taking a ride on the Soul Train can be an interesting adventure, particularly if you have a ticket to ride.
On Saturday, March 4th, those of us in the press tent, had an opportunity to view most of the passengers up close during the taping of the 20th Annual Soul Train Music Awards at Pasadena's Civic Auditorium, co-hosted by
Vivica A. Fox and
Tyrese Gibson.One of the most intriguing sightings was Fox. Her ever-evolving hairstyles-about five during the course of the show- were the talk of the tent. At one point she was sporting enough hair to amply cover the heads of
Beyonce,
Kelly and
Michelle.The night, however, belonged to the folks who weave music and not hair.
John Legend, winner of the 2006 Sammy Davis Jr. Award, was one of the big winners, taking home trophies for Best R&B/Soul Single Male and Best R&B/Soul Album Male.
Mariah Carey, wearing a burgundy form-fitting gown with a split up to you-know-where, also captured a couple of awards in the same categories. Always the innovator, Carey read her thank you list off of her Blackberry.
Other winners included: the Black Eyed Peas for best album by a group, duo or band;
Chris Brown, 16, was crowned best new artist;
Missy Elliott, along with
Ciara and Fat Man Scoop, collected a trophy for best dance cut;
Donnie McClurkin won in the gospel category;
Kanye West took home the
Michael Jackson Award for best video and Destiny's Child got the nod for best single by a group, duo or band.
DC were also the recipients of the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievement. Beyonce Knowles, however, was a no-show on Saturday. There was no real explanation for her absence other than Kelly Rowland's brief comment that Beyonce was working hard on 'Dreamgirls.'
Beyonce's costar Jamie Foxx was also honored with the Quincy Jones Award. A grateful Foxx thanked everyone on and off the planet and playfully pimped his album and his upcoming fall tour with
Mary J. Blige.The night's final honoree,
R. Kelly, was presented the first-ever Stevie Wonder Award for Outstanding Career Achievement in Song Writing. Kelly, however, was trapped in his seat the rest of the night. The three-time nominee went home empty handed in single, album and video categories.
Some of the show's highlights included performances by The Black Eyed Peas, Legend, Brown, Avant with the Pussycat Dolls, Flipsyde and Charlie Wilson. The evening concluded with an on-site after party, and Kimora Lee, who had perhaps the most memorable outfit of the evening -- a cutout gown atop a denim miniskirt -- leading the charge to the next party -- Queen Latifah's VIBE Magazine pre-Oscar bash.
Apparently a lot of folks took her advice. The 110 south was bumper-to-bumper limo city.
The show begins airing in syndication on March 11th. Check your local listings for time and date.
