- Title: USA: ERYKAH BADU TAKES HOME FOUR KEY PRIZES AT ANNUAL SOUL TRAIN MUSIC AWARDS
- Date: 27th February 1998
- Summary: NEXT (R AND B/HIP-HOP GROUP) SINGS A FEW BARS FROM THEIR LATEST SINGLE "TOO CLOSE"
- Embargoed: 14th March 1998 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA29X62NB1A5KMPBP4Y8AW650UR
- Story Text: Erykah Badu was the true "Lady of Soul" at the 12th Annual Soul Train Music Awards, taking home four key prizes as well as hosting and performing on the night.
The sultry Rythm and Blues singer, having a year that most other artists can only dream about, won honours as Best New R and B Soul Artist, Best R and B Album Of The Year and Soul Album Of The Year.Her signature single "On And On" won Best R and B Single (female).
Badu, whose voice is often compared to Billie Holliday, told Reuters after the ceremony that she grew up wanting to be a member of the Soul Train family and winning an award "feels real good".
Other multiple award winners at Friday's (February 27) ceremony at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium included Dru Hill.
The musician took the trophies for Best R and B/Soul Album - Group, and Best R and B/Soul Single - Group.
Surprised at their win, group member Nokio said: "You never come into a situation like this thinking you're going to win and to win two awards over groups like Boyz II Men and Puff Daddy, that's kind of like beating up your big brother.".
Hip-Hop magnate and Bad Boy Entertainment head Sean "Puffy" Combs was nominated five times, winning for Best Rap Music Video and receiving one of the night's special awards, the Sammy Davis Jr Award for Entertainer of the Year.
Combs' performance with label-mate Lil Kim at the end of the show was just as much a crowd pleaser as Janet Jackson's strip tease that opened the ceremony.
The show also featured performances by Boyz II Men, Usher, Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu, Dru Hill, Jermaine Dupri and da Brat.
The winner of the Best R and B Soul Single (male), 19-year-old Usher Raymond, was humbled by his award.
"I mean, all the hard work it took to get to this point, I can't tell you, but trust me, I love what I do and I'm happy that I got this," he said.
Whitney Houston was rewarded for her hard work over the years.The singer tearfully accepted her award for career achievement from presenter Whoopi Goldberg.
"A career cannot be achieved without those who help you along the way.Mr.Jones, I love you for setting the path for so many of us to achieve careers," Houston said of Quincy Jones, for whom the award was named.
The full list of winners is: R and B/Soul Single/Female Erykah Badu "On & On" R and B/Soul Single /Male Usher "You Make Me Wanna..." R and B/Soul Single/Group Dru Hill "In My Bed" R and B/Soul Album/Female Erykah Badu "Baduizm" R and B/Soul Album Male Notorious B.I. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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