In celebration of all that is Soul this year, an exciting line-up of artists are to feature in the Soul Cypher which will be aired at the awards.
In addition to the star-studded lineup of performers, such as Summer Walker and Fred Hammond, BET also announced that the 2021 Soul Train Awards will have Jasmine Sullivan, Normani and casts of Sistas and The Game as presenters.
The cypher will explore predominant themes in Soul music, broken down into four pillars of Black Love, Black Power, Black Joy and Black Pride, with some of the biggest names in Black culture and entertainment who have embodied the poignant genre with great vocal embellishments and intense feelings.
Performing in groups of four and five, the artistes will give soulful renditions of freestyles and original songs that nod to and showcase the impact of soul from the 70s to date.
The Black Love theme will feature thrilling performances by Nigerian sweetheart, Ayra Starr; South African R&B Singer-Songwriter, Fila lah lah; Cameroonian Afro-pop/afrobeat artiste, Magasco; and Ghanaian musical artiste, Moliy.
Nigerian singer-songwriter, Mayorkun; Nigerian Queen of Afro-fusion, Goodgirl LA; Rwandan uber-talented artsite, Yvan Buravan; and Angolan heartthrob Rui Orlando will perform under the Black Pride theme.
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Exploring the Black Joy theme will be Nigerian superstar, Buju; Ghanian afrobeat singer, Gyakie; South African musicologist, Manana; Cape Verde’s Soraia Ramos and Tanzanian bongo musician, Lava Lava.
Angola’s Gerlison Insrael; Nigerian lover boy, Johnny Drille; South African singer cum songwriter, Langa Mavuso and The Republic of Benin’s Ankaa will perform songs that nod to Black Power.
Commenting on the lineup of artistes, Monde Twala, SVP, General Manager ViacomCBS Networks Africa & Peer Lead at BET International said, “I am excited to witness the pure ingenious lines and performances that these artistes will drop on stage. Each of them has, in their own space, crafted beautiful music that has kept our souls moving to the rhythm. This is culture at its best. We are proud to bring the Soul Train to all our international audiences and lovers of soul music.”
The “Soul Train Awards” annual Soul Cypher is a tradition started by former show host Erykah Badu that features a group of artists freestyling. The cypher will bring together some of today’s top vocalists for what promises to be an electrifying performance. International participants in the cypher this year include D-Nice, Musiq Soulchild, Jac Ross, Koryn Hawthorne, Elle Varner, and Tone Stith. As a nod to the 20th Anniversary of her self-titled album Aaliyah, the late R&B great’s hit single “Rock the Boat” provides both theme and instrumental for the cypher.
BET announced that the 2021 “Soul Train Awards” will showcase an even bigger lineup of performances, special moments, and appearances, by some of the biggest stars in R&B, Gospel, Urban Adult Contemporary and Soul. On the heels of her first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 Chart for her second studio LP, Still Over It, R&B singer-songwriter Summer Walker joins the exciting line-up of performers at this year’s Awards. Fred Hammond, and BET Amplified artists Elhae and Marzz will take the stage, along with Soul of Justice honorees Ciara and Russell Wilson and Marley Dias. Rap legends Fat Joe and Ja Rule as well as R&B icon El Debarge will make special appearances. Additionally, BET announced the second group of presenters who will take the stage: Jazmine Sullivan, Normani, Hosea Chanchez and Wendy Raquel Robinson from The Game, a Paramount+ Original series, Devale Ellis and Crystal Hayslett from the cast of Tyler Perry’s Sistas on BET.
