New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Sunshine Sachs) CENTRIC, a BET Network, is pleased to announce this year's SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2013 special recognition honorees - Dionne Warwick, will receive the Legend Award and
Keith Sweat will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Comedian and actor Anthony Anderson will host the Awards taping in Las
Vegas on November 8th, which will air on CENTRIC and BET, December 1, 2013 at 8PM ET/PT.
Dionne Warwick's relationship with the Soul
Train brand dates all the way back to the beginning. In her basement, along with Don Cornelius, the idea and concept for the Soul
Train Awards was conceived. Committed to providing artists with a platform to showcase their talent, Cornelius and Warwick put together an innovative show at a time where African American artists were not widely recognized for their contributions. In honor of her commitment and longstanding success, Gladys Knight, Ronald Isley, Eric Benet,
Ruben Studdard, Kenny Lattimore,
Bobby V and
Candice Glover will take the stage in a special tribute performance.
R&B crooner
Keith Sweat has been affecting audiences for decades with his unique sound. In 1987, his hit "I Want Her," was the song that inaugurated the New Jack Swing era. In addition to his musical talent, his ability to identify new talent put him in a league of few. He founded Keia Records label that featured platinum selling group Silk and formed platinum supergroup LSG. To celebrate his achievements,
Keith Sweat will perform a medley of his top hits and will welcome a special appearance by Faith Evans.
Joining the growing star-studded lineup for the night, Janelle Monáe, Toni Braxton, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Wolf Blitzer, E! News' Alicia Quarles, Mack Wilds, Malinda Williams, and Carl Anthony Payne have been added as presenters and
David Foster as a performer. Wendy Williams, "Queen of the Red Carpet," will kick-off the pre-show live from the center of the action where she will be dishing with celebrity performers, presenters and guests. Additionally, dancers from Cirque Du Soliel's
Michael Jackson ONE will take the stage to perform selections from the hit show.
"Dionne Warwick is a legend in every sense of the word, especially as it relates to the Soul
Train brand and you can't pay homage to the 90's without mentioning one of the greatest contemporary artists of our time and the innovator behind New Jack Swing, Keith Sweat," said Paxton Baker, General Manager and Executive Vice President, CENTRIC. "It's an incredible honor for us to be able to recognize two great artists and their trailblazing paths not only as musicians, but entrepreneurs who have proven their passion and commitment to music."
As previously announced, the show will include appearances by Bill Bellamy,
Boris Kodjoe,
Vanessa A. Williams, Vivica A. Fox,
Kandi Burruss, Michelle Williams, Vanilla Ice, Dolvett Quince,
Mario Van Peebles, Raheem Devaughn,
Nicole Ari Parker,
George Benson, E-40, Larenz Tate, Hanif Carter, E!'s Alicia Quarles, Sommore and Vawn as well as performances by Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan,
Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle, Wale, Eric Benet, Chrisette Michele,
Bobby Caldwell, Doug E. Fresh, Evelyn "
Champagne" King, Dave Koz, Jon B., Warren G., Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, and Stokley Williams. For the first time, the show will feature a state-of-the art second stage, which will host a rotating mix of celebrity DJs including Big Tigger and D-Nice. Charged with keeping the party going throughout the night are Grammy Award winning producers 1500 or Nothin' and legendary keyboardist Greg Phillinganes who have both been tapped as music directors for the show.
Hip-hop sensation
Kendrick Lamar leads this year's nominations with six nominations across multiple categories, including: Best New Artist, Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Tied with five nominations each are Miguel, Justin Timberlake,
Robin Thicke, Chris Brown,
Tamar Braxton and Janelle Monae.
SOUL TRAIN AWARDS 2013 is directed by Tony McCuin and produced by Centric TV and Sunseeker Media. Executive producers of the network telecast are as follows: Paxton Baker, Tami Arasli, Derek Lewis from Centric; Bart Phillips from Sunseeker Media and Kenard Gibbs from Soul
Train Holdings. This year's motto is We Got Soul.
For more information, please visit BET.com/SoulTrain. Follow us at @centrictv and @bet, and join the conversation with #SoulTrainAwards #WeGotSoul.
