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The 2021 Soul Train Awards Performances, Bring Back Love, Peace, and Soul

The 2021 Soul Train Awards proved to be an immersive experience bathing its viewers in an afterglow of r&b, funk, and soul. Performances were powerful, scintillating, and sexy.

Setting things Off Proper.

Things were off and popping from the beginning, with Silk Sonic moving and grooving the crowd. Their undeniable funky sound, smooth moves, and retro look were picture perfect. Their set was proof it would be a night of incomparable flyness.Silk Sonic has been blazing the stage from the American Music Awards to Soul Train. Although the group didn’t make the show, they found a way to set off the night. They took it  back from their 70’s looks to their signature dance transitions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWfIoQoKZ8Q

Hosts Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell kept the fires stoked with their performance. Their showcase reminded the crowd of the music, passion, and purpose that solidified Soul Train as a cultural force. They took us down memory lane with soul classics such as Martha and Vandella’s ‘Dancing in the Streets’ and Jackson Five’s ‘Dancing Machine. And a special performance by El Debarge put a bit of rhythm in our night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZbuWBy1Ltc

Soul Train Center Stage

Ari Lennox looking exquisitely angelic gave a sultry performance of “Pressure.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-OcGAe8JOs

Then the show took a praise break with an uplifting performance of “Yaweh” by Fred Hammond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buX2NKKD8sM

Marrzz deliverance of a smooth and melodic hypnotic vocal left us with the assurance no one could stand in the shadow of her orbit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r83poF1nQ6s

Leon Bridges brought in the wow factor with some retro bedroom soul reminiscent of singers of yesteryear like Teddy Pendergrass.

And Summer Walker didn’t disappoint with duet partner Ari Lennox. These soulful vocalists gave light to the new age of soul music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTpQ-URyTw

Soul  Train Soul Cypher

The Soul Cypher had the crowd vibing with some of the industry’s favorite soul singers and D-Nice on the turntables. The performer’s blending of old-school flavor with a relevant twist was everything. Musiq Soulchild, Jac Ross, Koryn Hawthorne, Elle Varner, and Tone Stith’s flawless harmonies were amazing. In addition, their subtle and powerful tribute to Aaliyah was praiseworthy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZbuWBy1Ltc

Special performances

Ashanti stole the show with some of her greatest hits. Her performance was perfect in every way yet wholly complete with former label mates Fat Joe and one-time duet partner Ja Rule.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqDuiqThMZI

Then, an old favorite, Maxwell, signed, sealed, and delivered his performance with matchless swagger. His command of the stage gave everyone a little something-something to remember.

What better way to end than as it started? Silk Sonic left us all ‘Smokin out the Window.’ The 2021 Soul Train Awards was a celebration Don Cornelius would be proud of. It was indeed a night flowing with love, peace, and soul.

Check out a recap of 2021 VMA winners in FM Hip Hop’s retrospective article.

Be sure to like and follow FMHipHop on Instagram and Facebook!

Written by Renae Richardson

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FM Fashion

The Soul Train Awards 2021 Red Carpet Was On Fire

The Soul Trains Awards is legendary so, it’s only right that it took place at the equally legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York for 2021. It also aired this evening on BET. Between the iconic artists who showed up and their stellar performances, everything was truly amazing to witness. Watching the show was a great way to end the hectic Thanksgiving weekend.

On the red carpet at The Soul Train Awards 2021, stars showed up in expectantly elegant looks. From floor-sweeping gowns to bright suits, everyone came out in their best to celebrate an evening of R&B and Soul music. Check out some of the best looks of the night below.As always, did they slay or nay?

Firstly, we have Summer Walker. She arrived in a very sexy and slinky dress with matching sparkly sandal heels. The print on her dress made a statement with images of notorious women’s mugshots on it. Certainly, Summer knows how to make something eccentric look cute.

Summer Walker Soul Train Awards 2021 red carpet

Honoree of the night, Ashanti, looked like a holiday Barbie doll. She wore a lengthy black lace dress and gothic-looking rings on her fingers to go with it. In addition, she wore long white nails as a stark contrast to her dress.

Ashanti Soul Train Awards 2021 red carpet

21 Savage posed on the red carpet with a look that was as cool as ever. He wore an all-red suit with shiny black shoes, sunglasses, and a red purse. The purse was an unusual choice for such an outfit yet, 21 Savage made it work. In other words, he looked great.

21 Savage Soul Train Awards 2021 Red Carpet

Maxwell also came through with the men’s purse. The R&B legend and Soul Train Awards honoree had one slung over his all-black suit. To add some spice to his look, he wore sparkly shoes, sunglasses, and beads in his hair. He was giving Stevie Wonder with the accessories, no?

Maxwell Soul Train Awards 2021 red carpet

Ari Lennox looked super sensual on the red carpet. She wore a shimmery dress with a plunging neckline and feather details. Like Summer Walker, she had on matching sandal heels. Despite wearing minimal accessories, Ari looked very glamorous.

Ari Lennox Soul Train Awards 2021 red carpet

Soul music veteran El Debarge popped out as well. Unlike many of the other attendees however, he decided to show up in something casual. Debarge wore a simple t-shirt and jeans combination with sneakers. On top, he had on an equally simple corduroy and shearling jacket. As a result, he looked very minimal yet stylish.

El Debarge Soul Train Awards 2021 red carpet

Similarly, Normani kept her red carpet look simple too. She wore a black dress that bared her midriff and showed off her cleavage. It highlighted her toned physique and sleek hairstyle.

Normani Soul Train Awards 2021 red carpet

Lastly, is Yung Bleu. Bleu is always one to make a statement. He came through in a Balmain bomber jacket, skinny jeans, a turtle neck, and matching sneakers. As such, he looked very dapper with an urban flair.

Yung Bleu Soul Train Awards 2021 red carpet

What are your favorite Soul Train Awards 2021 red carpet looks of the night? Let us know on FM social Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.

Written by Amber Alexander
Twitter: Ambernofetari

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FM News New Music Updates

Watch: A Sensual Performance Between Ari Lennox and Jazmine Sullivan

The sexy R&B duo, Ari Lennox and Jazmine Sullivan, grace the 2021 BET Awards stage to perform their seductive song, “On It”, for a sensual performance.

Reminding us what “sexy” is, R&B songstress Ari Lennox, joined R&B vet Jazmine Sullivan, onstage for a sensual performance at the 2021 BET Awards last night. Masked up background dancers surrounded the two to make for a sultry show.

Sensual performance by Ari Lennox and Jazmine Sullivan
The sexy R&B duo, Ari Lennox and Jazmine Sullivan, grace the 2021 BET Awards stage to perform their seductive song, ‘On It’, for an overall sensual performance.

Passionate, enticing and arousing, the pair effortlessly sang back and forth to each other on stage. Talent overflowed into the audience as the duo toyed with their vocal runs and harmonization.

The two Aries wore dark, form-fitting jumpsuits, being illuminated only by the low light of a cheetah print-covered stage. The duo gave both a seductive and breath-taking performance.

“Never in a million years did I think a DC native… would be singing on stage with the legendary ‘sangin-ass’ phenomenon, @JazmineSullivan. You made my dreams come true and changed my life,” said Ari Lennox via Instagram after their performance.

By the end of the night, Jazmine Sullivan racked up a total of not one, but two BET Awards: Album of the Year and Female R&B/Pop Artist of the Year. After being in the entertainment industry for over a decade, she surely deserves it.

Congratulations, Jazmine Sullivan!

Watch the full performance here.

 

Alena “Lay Low” Williams | IG: @lenalayl0w | Twitter: @lenalaylow

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FM News

Queen Naija Responds to Backlash from 2017 Video…Again

queen naija

Queen Naija is in the hot seat again. When Ari Lennox announced her collaboration with Queen Naija on the upcoming single, “Set Him Up,” fans’ response was less than favorable.

To say Ari Lennox fans were confused by this duet is an understatement. They reposted a 2017 YouTube video of Queen Naija, where she makes disparaging comments about “Black” girls. In the video, Naija refers to her bullies as; “Lil Black nappy-headed with little terrible hairstyles.”

When Ari tweeted the cover for “Set Him Up,” scheduled for release tomorrow, April 7, it launched a barrage of backlash.

https://twitter.com/AriLennox/status/1378090192314175498?s=20

Well, Queen is not here for it and responded with this tweet:

Naija apologized for the initial video in a 2020 Instagram Live, claiming the remarks were “ probably ignorant. Not probably. They were ignorant.” She shouldn’t have to continue apologizing for a previous mistake, but she shouldn’t respond in such a callous way when the video resurfaces. Don’t get defensive when the public produces receipts of your actions. The best course of action would be to ignore it. You know the culture we live in. Anything you say and do can and will be used against you in the court of public opinion. We know Queen Naija is young and has some growing to do, but am I the only one tired of people making strong public declarations and either playing victim or acting completely oblivious when it comes back to bite them in the a**? The moral of the story is, everyone should be allowed grace for past mistakes, but be aware of what you put out for public consumption. The public won’t be as forgiving of you as you are of yourself.

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FM News

Dreamville Launches Content Studio

Dreamville Launches Content Studio
Dreamville Artists | Source: XXL Mag

Dreamville Launches Content Studio

Dreamville officially announced the launch of Dreamville Ventures and Dreamville Studios.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQCVxWMbuB/

According to exclusive reports, Dreamville Ventures will operate as “a multi-disciplinary media company” while  Studios is “a content studio that will produce original and co-produced content.”

 

Alongside the announcement of the two expansions, Damien Scott was announced as the president of the label and Candace Rodney will be the executive vice president and the president of Dreamville Studios.

 

Ibrahim Hamad, co-founder of the label  adds that “Dreamville is a brand we built from the ground up and the appointments of Damien and Candace allows us to take the company to levels “we’ve always dreamed of while keeping our core values and beliefs at the forefront of our expansion.”

 

Scott and Rodney’s roles will be “overseeing the day-to-day operations of Dreamville Ventures as well as its build-out which will include verticals across music, TV and film, publishing, apparel and live events.”

 

Prior to now, Scott was the editor-in-chief at Complex Media, the VP of Content and Development and helped to launch the legendary ComplexCon Festival.

 

Rodney served as Senior VP of Development at Wilmore Films and has worked in positions at Lionsgate Television, Sony Pictures Television and Creative Artists Agency.

 

“Dreamville has always been a mom-and-pop operation with grand ambitions and ideas that extend far beyond music,” says J.Cole. “The hiring of Damien and Candace not only expands our family business with two of the smartest and most capable executives in the industry, but allows us to take a massive leap towards turning those big ideas into reality.”

 

The label was co-founded by the North Carolina rapper, J.Cole and Ibrahim Hamad in 2007 with distribution from Interscope Records. Currently, the label is home to Cole and artists such as Bas, Cozz, J.I.D, EarthGang, Ari Lennox, Lute and Omen.

 

Alisha Brown | Instagram & Twitter: @lishablive

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