Soul Train Awards 2014: Red Carpet Tea, Chris Brown Wins Big, Jodeci Brings ’90s R&B reminiscence, Kool & The Gang Honored

November 10, 2014 | Patricia ‘Blu’ Freeman

The 2014 Soul Train Awards was bigger than it has ever been with BET bringing back legendary stars to own the night as the event held in Orleans Arena, Las Vegas.

The show, happened and filmed, Friday November 7, 2014 – it won’t air on BET’s Centric (exclusively) until Sunday, November 30. But not to worry, the red carpet tea, who won and great performances deets are right here.

The performances were amazing with classic acts like Lil Kim, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Mase, KC & Jojo and more owning the stage. There were also performances from the new generation stars like Chris Brown, Nico & Vinz, Tinashe, Tank and more. When the silhouettes of  K-Ci, JoJo, DeVante Swing and Mr. Dalvin, members of the group, Jodeci, appeared on the stage, nobody over the age of 25 would remain in their seats. They put years of rumors to rest when the bad boys of 1990s R&B officially reunited with the 2014 Soul Train Awards stage performance that took those at The Orleans Arena in Las Vegas back in time to a place where Jodeci ruled the airwaves. Awards host, Wendy Williams did an amazing job and had up to 6 changes.

The BET 2014 Soul Train Awards red carpet was co-hosted by uber sexy R&B singers, Tank and beautiful, Tamar Braxton. Tamar, Styled by crazy talented, celebrity stylist Law Roach-@LuxuryLaw-stunned in designers Roberto Cavalli, Balmain and Marco Hall dresses. The event was well attended by several stars including Trey Songz, Michelle Williams, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Joe, Bill Bellamy, Elle Varner, Sevyn Streeter, B.o.B, Faith Evans, Flavor Flav, Boris Kodjoe, Ledisi, MC Lyte and many more. Here are a few deets on the red carpet wear tea. Michelle Williams look channeled the classic 70s but with modern flair. Boris Kodjoe was, his usual self, ‘sexy’ and ‘gorgeous. Tinashe, with her bad self, gives us washboard ab action on the carpet. Sevyn Street looked snatched and showing lot’s of leg action on the carpet, wearing a gorgeous black dress with deep split action on both sides. Da Brat was beautiful wearing her usual trademark ‘tomboy chic’.  Demetria McKinney, of the hit show Housewives of Atlanta, was fierce in red. I wonder if ‘Roger Bob’ was with her…hmmmmm. Check out more red carpet pics in the gallery.

Chris Brown & Beyonce Lead Soul Train Award Nominations

The Soul Train Awards, seemed to cater to an older demographic over the past few years. The 2014 edition, was no different and was definitely a bit more old school than previous shows. Of course, there was nothing wrong with that, because getting the opportunity to see the likes of Jodeci, Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, Da Brat, Total and Mase grace the stage while also honoring the legendary Kool & The Gang was a treat for anyone who was a teenager in the ’90s. BET pulled out all the stops on this one with enormous success.

The show opened up with Chris Brown, who launched into a medley of hits from his more humble beginnings (“Yo (Excuse Me Miss)”) to today’s more edgy smash hit “Loyal,” which took home Soul Train awards for “Best Hip Hop Song” and “Best Collaboration.” He was vintage Brown as the 25-year old sang and bounded across the stage with energetic moves as the dancers were around him. From there, the show took a trip down memory lane as host Wendy Williams helped guide the tour. Performances by Nico & Vinz, a high octane “2 On” from Tinashe, Kem (who brought Ledisi along for “If It’s Love”), 3WB (Three Winans Brothers) and We Are Toonz showed the 40-somethings in the crowd how to “Nae Nae” were mere precursors for the sentimental magic that would grace the stage.

One of the biggest parts of the show was Jodeci, in their trademark all black outfits,  launched into their 1995 hit “Freek’n You” as JoJo swung his white towel and donned the familiar Chicago White Sox hat as he cooed through the sensual single. The quartet followed with “Stay,” which has aged well despite the song being nearly 25 years old. The shift from classics to new school was a bit jarring, as the contingency in the arena had been gliding effortlessly down a nostalgic highway. They got back on course and closed with “Come and Talk to Me” and “Forever My Lady” as the audience sung backup for the reunited group from North Carolina.

Although Jodeci’s presence would be the most high profile of the night, it wasn’t the only noteworthy trip down memory lane. Stephanie Mills brought the house down with “Home”.

Honoring 50 years in the music business for Kool & the Gang.

Doug E. Fresh, Elle Varner, MC Lyte, Tamar Braxton, Joe, Liv Warfield,Tessanne Chin and Mase all performed songs to honor 50 years in the music business for Kool & the Gang. The soul icons, who are the most sampled band in hip-hop, watched Mase glide across the stage to “Feels So Good” — which sampled the group’s 1974 hit “Hollywood Swinging” — while MC Lyte and Elle Varner performed the “Summertime Madness” sampled DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince smash hit “Summertime.”   The band — which now consists of Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown and Dennis Thomas — took to the stage to accept their Legend Award and thanked their fans for keeping them relevant after a half decade. “It’s harder to keep a band together than it is to make a hit record,” Robert Bell said during his speech.

To close the evening, Lil Kim, Missy Elliot and Da Brat reunited on stage to rock the house with their own take on a Kool & the Gang classic as they performed 1997’s “Not Tonight” and proved that they haven’t lost a step in the 17 years since the song released. Although Angie Martinez wasn’t present, the girl power on stage was evident  and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes was paid special homage to on the big screen for her verse.

The show was eventful, special night that was dipped heavily in a sea of nostalgia and continued to showcase BET’s skills for paying homage to the legends of R&B and Soul.  It was a night to remember for all.