Multi-Award Winning R&B Sensation R. Kelly Returns to the Stage to Kick Off the Most Soulful Night in Entertainment at the 2010 Soul Train Awards on Sunday, November 28 at 9:00 P.M.*

NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- R&B sensation R. Kelly returns to the stage with a medley of his hits, "Bump N' Grind," "Your Body is Calling," "When A Woman's Fed Up," "Happy People," and "When a Woman Loves" to open up the 2010 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS. Hosted by Oscar-nominated actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the 2010 SOULTRAIN AWARDS will premiere on both CENTRIC and BET on Sunday, November 28 at 9:00 P.M.* and feature never before seen collaborations, performances and appearances by Erykah Badu, Michael Baisden, Eric Benet, Fonzworth Bentley, Just Blaze, Kid Capri, Chilli, Keyshia Cole, El DeBarge, Faith Evans, Kim Fields, Cee Lo Green, Steve Harvey, Ray J, Tom Joyner, Kem, Biz Markie, Ne-Yo, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Lamman Rucker, Raven-Symone, SWV and more. CNN's Wolf Blitzer, a longtime fan of Soul Train, steals the show when he took to the stage with Doug E. Fresh to do the "Dougie" dance and later accepted an award on behalf of Eminem, who could not attend.

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Although the show did not offer an official Soul Train line, hosts Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson tore up the stage with a rousing dance off to "Hot Toddy" and "Whip My Hair;" "Stanky Leg" and "Rude Boy;" and "How Low Can You Go."

Anita Baker proved she was a fortunate woman with a passion for music when she accepted her Legend Award after a tribute from a powerhouse of female vocalists—Chrisette Michelle, Faith Evans, Tamia, Rachelle Ferrell, Lalah Hathaway and Dionne Farris—who performed a medley of Baker's hits from "Caught Up in the Rapture" to "Giving You the Best That I Got."

Later, Erykah Badu brought her soul to the stage with an eclectic medley of "Out of my mind/Window Seat" that featured light instillations combined with her unique style. And then the animated Cee Lo Green took his eccentric style to a new level with his performance of his hit song, "Forget You."

Hip hop superstars Biz Markie, Just Blaze and Kid Capri presented the winner of the "Best Hip Hop Song of the Year" and serenaded the crowd with Biz Markie's hit song, "Just a Friend." Eminem, the category winner, was not in attendance to receive the award so Wolf Blitzer accepted on his behalf stating "Eminem can't be here so who better to accept this award. I know he's thrilled so on behalf of Eminen and everyone else, thank you."

The comedic genius Steve Harvey presented Ron Isley with the second Legend Award for the night. R&B heavyweights Keyshia Cole, Bilal, Tank, El DeBarge, Eric Benet, Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne and Freddy Jackson serenaded the icon with a medley of his greatest hits. After his acceptance speech, Ron Isley performed his sultry songs "Between the Sheets" and "What I Missed the Most" and later collaborated with Chante Moore and R. Kelly for the throwback hit, "Contagious."

In addition to the above performances and tributes, the following awards were presented at the 2010 SOUL TRAIN AWARDS:

• Best New Artist - Melanie Fiona
• Best Female R&B Soul Artist - Alicia Keys
• Song of the Year - "Nothing on You" B.o.B. feat Bruno Mars
• Best Hip Hop Song of the Year - "Love the Way You Lie", Eminem featuring Rihanna
• Best Male R&B Soul Artist - Trey Songz and Usher (tie)
• Album of the Year - Usher Raymond, Raymond vs. Raymond
• Record of the Year (songwriter award) - Alicia Keys, "Unthinkable (I'm Ready)"@s, songwriters: Alicia Keys, Aubrey Graham, Brothers, Noah "40" Shebib
• Best Reggae Artist Award - Gyptian
• Centric Award - Janelle Monae
• Best Gospel Performance Male Female or Group - Marvin Sapp
• Best Dance Performance - Ciara, "Ride"

The SOUL TRAIN AWARDS is produced by Sunseeker Media and directed by Jonathan X, in collaboration with BET Event Productions. Paxton Baker, CENTRIC Executive Vice President and General Manager, Tami Willis-Arasli, CENTRIC Vice President of Specials and Music Programming; Bart Phillips, Sunseeker Media; and Soul Train Holdings' Kenard Gibbs, and Anthony Maddox will all be the executive producers of the Network telecast.

For more information, please visit www.centrictv.com.  

*All times ET/PT.

About CENTRIC

Centric is a 24-hour music and entertainment channel that reflects the lifestyle and sophistication of today's African-American and multicultural adult viewer.  With a finger on the pulse of an ever-changing beat, its compelling music content fuses Soul, R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel, Jazz, Old School, New School and everything in between with today's hottest artists. It is a unique of mix of music, culture and lifestyle programming that embodies the lives, tastes and aspirations of the CENTRIC viewer: All you. All day. All night.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

About Soul Train Holdings

Soul Train Holdings was formed in May 2008 by MadVision Entertainment and Intermedia Partners. Madvision was created by media and entertainment veterans, Kenard Gibbs, Peter Griffith, and Anthony Maddox. The group was created following the acquisition of the iconic franchise and catalog of more than 1,100 hours of archival footage from Don Cornelius Productions.  Soul Train is a registered trademark of Soul Train Holdings, LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.  Soul Train is the longest running, first -run, nationally syndicated program in television history. During its 37 year run, the show featured such staples as the Soul Train line and performers as important and diverse as: Al Green, Ike & Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Whitney Houston, David Bowie, Janet Jackson and Beyonce, to name a few.  

SOURCE CENTRIC