The 15th Annual Soul Train Music Awards were presented before a predominantly black-tie audience at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium on Wednesday, February 28, 2001. The two-hour syndicated television special aired on Saturday, March 3rd. The event was co-hosted by Mya, Queen Latifah, and Shemar Moore. Nominees included Sisqo, Destiny's Child, and Eminem.
Performances by Jay-Z (The Name of the Game/Give It To Me), Mya (Case of the Ex/Free), Jill Scott (A Long Walk), Carl Thomas (I Wish/Emotional), Yolanda Adams & Gerald Levert (I Believe I Can Fly), Nelly (E.I.), Jagged Edge (Promise/Let's Get Married), Mystikal (Danger), Destiny's Child (Survivor) kept the show rolling and a special tribute medley to the Isley Brothers featuring Gerald Levert, Kelly Price and Sisqo was the highlight of the night.
Award presenters included Luther Vandross, Russell Simmons, Wyclef Jean, Vivica A. Fox, Venus & Serena Williams, Mary Mary, Next, Erykah Badu, Avant, Tamia, Lucy Pearl, Jaheim, Musiq Soulchild, Tyrese, 112, K-Ci & Jojo, Jon B., Tracee Ellis Ross, Dark Blu, Leeza Gibbons, Bill Bellamy, The Transitions, Ja Rule, Sugar Shane Mosley, Deborah Cox, Xzibit, Shaun Robinson, Flea and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (with Flea standing on his head during the awards presentation), Keith Sweat, Sheryl Swopes, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Lil' Bow Wow.
Special awards went to Destiny's Child and Jay-Z, who received Sammy Davis, Jr. Entertainer of the Year Awards (male and female) for outstanding achievements in the field of entertainment during 2000, and the Isley Brothers, who were honored for their 40 year career with the Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievement.
Tickets to the show were priced at $675.00 each and included the Soul Train Music Awards After-Party. The official website offered this warning: BEWARE OF INTERNET SCALPERS!
Prior to the event, Def Jam / Def Soul & Sprite hosted an exclusive party to celebrate 30 years of Soul Train. This private event was held on February 27th in L.A. Guests included Jay Z, Sisqo, Ja Rule, Lil Bow Wow, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, 112, Carl Thomas, Holly Robinson Peete, Jill Scott, and Mya.
As far as the winners of the 2001 Soul Train Music Awards, well by now you've probably heard Eminem, whose nominations for this year's Grammy Awards stirred up controversy, was shut out of the contest while several major artists received multiple recognitions. Jagged Edge and the absent R.Kelly each scored two awards while Jill Scott, Yolanda Adams, Dr. Dre, Nelly, Mystikal and Mary Mary danced away with one victory apiece.
Music Award Winners:
Best R'B/Soul Single Female: Open My Heart - Yolanda Adams
Best R& B/Soul Single, Male: I Wish - R Kelly
Best R&B/Soul Single, Group, Band Or Duo: Let's Get Married -Jagged Edge
Best R&B/Soul Album, Female: Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 - Jill Scott
Best R&B/Soul Album, Male: TP-2.Com - R. Kelly
Best R&B/Soul Album, Group, Band or Duo: J.E. Heartbreak - Jagged Edge
R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year: Dr Dre-2001 - Dr. Dre
Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist: Country Grammar - Nelly
Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video: Shake Ya Ass - Mystikal
Best Gospel Album: Thankful - Mary Mary
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