The 1997 Soul Train Music Awards was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on March 7, 1997. The show was hosted by Brandy, LL Cool J and Gladys Knight. It would be the final public appearance for the Notorious B.I.G., as he would be murdered two days after the ceremony.
Special awards Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements Curtis Mayfield
Sammy Davis Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year Babyface
Winners and nominees Winners are in bold text.
R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year 2Pac – All Eyez On Me Fugees - The Score R. Kelly - R.Kelly Outkast – ATLiens
Best R&B/Soul Album – Male Maxwell – Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite Babyface – The Day R. Kelly – R. Kelly Keith Sweat – Keith Sweat
Best R&B/Soul Album – Female Toni Braxton – Secrets Aaliyah – One in a Million Monifah – Moods...Moments Meshell Ndegeocello – Peace Beyond Passion
Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band, or Duo New Edition – Home Again 112 – 112 The Isley Brothers – Mission to Please Mint Condition – Definition of a Band
Best R&B/Soul Single – Male Maxwell – "Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)" Montell Jordan - "I Like Joe – "All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)" Keith Sweat – "Twisted"
Best R&B/Soul Single – Female Toni Braxton – "You're Makin' Me High" / "Let It Flow" Mary J. Blige – "Not Gon' Cry" Brandy – "Sittin' Up in My Room" Monica – "Why I Love You So Much"
Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band, or Duo Blackstreet – "No Diggity" 112 – "Only You" Az Yet – "Last Night" Mint Condition – "What Kind of Man Would I Be?"
The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video Bone Thugs-n-Harmony – "Tha Crossroads" 2Pac – How Do U Want It ( featuring K-Ci and JoJo ) Busta Rhymes – "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" LL Cool J – "Doin' It"
Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist Maxwell 112 AZ Yet Tony Rich
Best Jazz Album Herbie Hancock – The New Standard Quincy Jones – Q's Jook Joint Diana Krall – All for You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio Art Porter – Lay Your Hands on Me
Best Gospel Album Kirk Franklin – Whatcha Lookin' 4 Rev. Clay Evans – I've Got a Testimony Dottie Peoples – Count on God The Williams Sisters – Live on the East Coast
Performances En Vogue – "Don't Let Go (Love)" Blackstreet and Queen Pen – "No Diggity" Mint Condition – "What Kind of Man Would I Be?" Maxwell – "Sumthin' Sumthin'" The Isley Brothers – "Tears" Keith Sweat – "Twisted" Curtis Mayfield Tribute: Gladys Knight – "Something He Can Feel" / "The Makings of You" / "People Get Ready" Fugees – "Killing Me Softly with His Song" / "Ready or Not" Mary J. Blige and Nas – "Love Is All We Need"
Presenters
Will Smith - Presented Sammy Davis Jr. Award For Entertainer of the Year Tisha Campbell, SWV, and Dru Hill - Presented Best R&B Soul/Rap New Artist Warren G, Salli Richardson, and Alfonzo Hunter - Presented Best Jazz Album Brian McKnight, The Notorious B.I.G, Puff Daddy, and 112 - Presented Best R&B Soul Single Female Michelle Thomas, Aaliyah, Outkast, and Ray J. - Presented Best R&B Soul Single Male Snoop Doggy Dogg, Immature, and Tamia - Presented Michael Jackson Award For Best R&B Soul/Rap Music Video Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and Brownstone - Presented Best Gospel Album Quincy Jones - Presented Quincy Jones Award Outstanding For Career Achievements Monica, AZ Yet, and Kenny Lattimore - Presented R&B Soul Album Group, Band, or Duo Robert Townsend, Busta Rhymes, and 702 - Presented Best R&B Soul Album Male Da Brat, Deborah Cox, and Tony Rich - Presented Best R&B Soul Album Female Heavy D, Monifah, and Zhane - Presented Best R&B Soul/Rap Album of the Year New Edition, Shari Headley, and Montell Jordan - Presented Best R&B Soul Single Group, Band, or Duo
References