DEON COLE TAPPED TO HOST "SOUL TRAIN AWARDS" 2022 PRESENTED BY BET, AND BEYONCE AND MARY J. BLIGE LEAD WITH 7 NOMINATIONS EACH

BEYONCÉ AND MARY J. BLIGE LEAD WITH 7 NOMINATIONS EACH

FOLLOWED BY ARI LENNOX WITH 6 AND LIZZO AND CHRIS BROWN WITH 5 NODS EACH

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OTHER TOP NOMINEES INCLUDE BURNA BOY, MUNI LONG AND STEVE LACY WITH 4 NOMINATIONS EACH

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"SOUL TRAIN AWARDS" 2022 PREMIERES

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 AT 8 PM ET/PT ON BET AND BET HER

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#SOULTRAINAWARDS

NEW YORK, NY - October 20, 2022 - Today, BET announces the host, nominees and premiere date of "Soul Train Awards" 2022presented by BET taking place, Sunday, November 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Actor, comedian and writer Deon Cole will host an incredible night celebrating the best in soul music and the iconic legacy brand. Additionally, BET has released the official nominations for "Soul Train Awards" 2022. "Soul Train Awards" recognizes the best in Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop from both established industry legends and the next generation of promising artists. The official "Soul Train Awards" nominees, selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders, performers, and presenters. The "Soul Train Awards" 2022 premieres Sunday, November 27 at 8 pm ET/PT on BET and BET Her.

"Deon Cole is known for delivering razor-sharp humor and commentary across his acclaimed standup specials and series. Get ready to see him unleash his comedic talents like never before on the Soul Train Awards stage--and don't say we didn't warn you," said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. "Deon is BET family, and we are proud to have him make his hosting debut exclusively on BET. We are also equally proud to continue celebrating the legacy of Soul Train with our esteemed nominees and delivering unforgettable performances and moments that epitomize Black Excellence."

"Hosting the 'Soul Train Awards' is a dream come true. I grew up watching Soul Train and 'til this day, I've never met a Soul Train Line I didn't bless with my skilled two step," said host Deon Cole. "It is truly a privilege to be given this opportunity to celebrate Don Cornelius' legacy, all of the amazing Black talent that illuminated our screens on the iconic TV show, and my favorite genres of music: Soul, R&B and Hip Hop."

Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead "Soul Train Awards" 2022 nominations with an impressive 7 nods; Beyoncé for 'Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,' 'Album of the Year,' 'Song of the Year,' and twice for 'Best Collaboration' and 'The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award.' Mary J. Blige for 'Certified Soul Award,' 'Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,' 'Album of the Year,' 'Song of the Year,' 'The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award,' 'Video of the Year,' and 'Best Collaboration.' Ari Lennox garnered the second most nods with 6 nominations: 'Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,' 'Album of the Year,' 'Song of the Year,' 'The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter's Award,' 'Best Dance Performance,' and 'Video of the Year.' Lizzo and Chris Brown are tied at 5 nods each, followed by Burna Boy, Muni Long and Steve Lacy with 4 nods. Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, PJ Morton andTems each garnered 3 nominations.

The "Soul Train Awards" 2022 presented by BET will feature an exciting lineup of unforgettable performances, special moments and appearances by some of the brightest stars in Black culture and entertainment. The annual event is committed to showcasing the impact of Soul Train on music and dance from the '70s to today.

About Deon Cole

Deon Cole is a comedian, writer, and actor, co-starring in Jeymes Samuel's THE HARDER THEY FALL (Netflix) with Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, and Lakeith Stanfield. Deon recently wrapped Kenya Barris and Jonah Hill's YOU PEOPLE for Netflix, acting opposite Jonah Hill, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Eddie Murphy. Deon is currently playing 'Alfonso' in Amblin/Warner Bros.' THE COLOR PURPLE directed by Blitz Bazawule as part of an all-star ensemble featuring Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks, Aunjanue Ellis, Halle Bailey, and H.E.R. Next up, Deon will star in the BET+ original series AVERAGE JOE from McG.

Deon can also be seen as Charlie on ABC's BLACK-ISH and Freeform's GROWNISH. For his work on BLACK-ISH, Deon won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for three years straight. Deon can be heard as the voice of Dave for Dreamworks Animation's Netflix series, KIPO AND THE AGE OF WONDERBEASTS. Previously, he starred as Detective Daniel "DJ" Tanner on the TBS comedy ANGIE TRIBECA opposite Rashida Jones, and co-starred in the Ice Cube led BARBERSHOP film series.

In standup, Deon recently shot his latest one-hour special for Netflix, CHARLEEN'S BOY. His last special, COLE HEARTED, also for the streamer, was released in 2019 after the success of his appearance THE STANDUPS. His previous one-hour special, DEON COLE: COLE BLOODED SEMINAR was shot for Comedy Central. His stand-up documentary, WORKIN' IT OUT debuted exclusively on Netflix is a Joke's YouTube channel. The documentary has garnered 6 million views on social media, and 1.6 million views on YouTube alone.

Deon Cole is represented by WME and Kirsten Ames Management.

Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show and Executive Produce for BET with Jamal Noisette, VP, Specials & Music Programming. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, to serve as Executive Producer of "Soul Train Awards" 2022 along with Jesse Collins Entertainment's Jeannae Rouzan-Clay and Dionne Harmon.

The complete list of nominees for "Soul Train Awards" 2022:
BEST NEW ARTIST

CKAY

COCO JONES

DIXSON

DOECHII

FIREBOY DML

MUNI LONG

STEVE LACY

TEMS



CERTIFIED SOUL AWARD

CHAKA KHAN

CHARLIE WILSON

DIANA ROSS

MARY J. BLIGE

MAXWELL

PJ MORTON

RONALD ISLEY & THE ISLEY BROTHERS

T-PAIN



BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

CECE WINANS

ERICA CAMPBELL

FRED HAMMOND

MAJOR.

MARVIN SAPP

MAVERICK CITY MUSIC X KIRK FRANKLIN

TAMELA MANN

TASHA COBBS LEONARD



BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST

ARI LENNOX

BEYONCÉ

H.E.R.

JAZMINE SULLIVAN

LIZZO

MARY J. BLIGE

SZA

TEMS



BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST

BABYFACE

BRENT FAIYAZ

BURNA BOY

CHARLIE WILSON

CHRIS BROWN

GIVEON

LUCKY DAYE

PJ MORTON



ALBUM OF THE YEAR

AN EVENING WITH SILK SONIC BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC

AWAY MESSAGE (EP) ARI LENNOX

BREEZY CHRIS BROWN

GOOD MORNING GORGEOUS MARY J. BLIGE

HEAUX TALES, MO' TALES: THE DELUXE JAZMINE SULLIVAN

R&B MONEY TANK

RENAISSANCE BEYONCÉ

SPECIAL LIZZO



SONG OF THE YEAR

ABOUT DAMN TIME LIZZO

BAD HABIT STEVE LACY

BREAK MY SOUL BEYONCÉ

GOOD MORNING GORGEOUS MARY J. BLIGE

HRS & HRS MUNI LONG

LAST LAST BURNA BOY

PRESSURE ARI LENNOX



THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER'S AWARD

BAD HABIT STEVE LACY

BREAK MY SOUL BEYONCÉ

CHURCH GIRL BEYONCÉ

GOOD MORNING GORGEOUS MARY J. BLIGE

HRS & HRS MUNI LONG

I HATE U SZA

LAST, LAST BURNA BOY

PRESSURE ARI LENNOX



BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE

ABOUT DAMN TIME LIZZO

CALL ME EVERY DAY CHRIS BROWN FEAT. WIZKID

HAVE MERCY CHLÖE

PERSUASIVE DOECHII

PRESSURE ARI LENNOX

SMOKIN OUT THE WINDOW BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC

WE (WARM EMBRACE) CHRIS BROWN

WOMAN DOJA CAT



VIDEO OF THE YEAR

ABOUT DAMN TIME LIZZO

BAD HABIT STEVE LACY

GOOD MORNING GORGEOUS MARY J. BLIGE

HAVE MERCY CHLÖE

HRS & HRS MUNI LONG

LAST LAST BURNA BOY

PRESSURE ARI LENNOX

SMOKIN OUT THE WINDOW BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC



BEST COLLABORATION

AMAZING MARY J. BLIGE FEAT. DJ KHALED

BE LIKE WATER PJ MORTON FEAT. STEVIE WONDER & NAS

CALL ME EVERY DAY CHRIS BROWN FEAT. WIZKID

GOTTA MOVE ON DIDDY FEAT. BRYSON TILLER

HATE OUR LOVE QUEEN NAIJA & BIG SEAN

MAKE ME SAY IT AGAIN, GIRL RONALD ISLEY & THE ISLEY BROTHERS FEAT. BEYONCÉ

MOVE BEYONCÉ FEAT. GRACE JONES, TEMS

SLOW TANK FEAT. J. VALENTINE





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ABOUT BET

BET, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), 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 is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, a growing BET festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.



ABOUT JESSEE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT

Founded in 2012, Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service production company that has played an integral role in producing many of television's most memorable moments in music entertainment. The Emmy(R) winning company has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the film side, the company also has a first look on JCE's film projects which could include Viacom's Paramount Players. JCE's award-winning and critically acclaimed television includes programming from its three divisions. From the scripted division: scripted series - Real Husbands of Hollywood, American Soul and miniseries - The New Edition Story and The Bobby Brown Story. From the unscripted division: unscripted series - Oh Hell No... With Marlon Wayans, Cardi Tries, My Killer Body with K. Michelle, DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic and Forward: The Future of Black Music, competition/game shows - Becoming A Popstar, Rhythm + Flow, Sunday Best, Hip Hop Squares and Nashville Squares, talk shows - Yara Shahidi's Day Off, Face to Face with Becky G and children's series - Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices (Emmy(R) Award winner). From the specials division: award shows - The American Music Awards, BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Hip Hop Awards, Black Girls Rock!, BET Honors, UNCF's An Evening of Stars and ABFF Honors, specials - The Super Bowl Halftime Show, CNN's Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom, Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today, A GRAMMY Salute to the Sounds of Change, Stand Up for Heroes, Dear Mama, Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin', Def Comedy Jam 25, Leslie Jones: Time Machine, The All-Star Nickmas Spectacular and Rip the Runway. Emmy(R) winner Jesse Collins, Founder and CEO, is the executive producer of all programming. He is also an executive producer for the Grammy Awards. He produced the 2021 Oscars.




ABOUT SOUL TRAIN

Soul Train was created in 1971 by visionary Don Cornelius and predominantly featured performances by R&B, pop, soul, and hip-hop artists, in addition to the occasional funk, jazz, disco, and gospel artists. When the final episode of the show's historic thirty-five-year run aired in 2006, it was the longest-running first-run, nationally syndicated program in television history. "Soul Train" highlighted a cast of incredible, ethnically diverse dancers who famously introduced the world to a whole new series of dance moves and styles on a weekly basis. Cornelius opened every show welcoming the audience to "the hippest trip in America" and closed each show wishing the audience "love, peace, and soul." Today, the legacy of "Soul Train" lives on through the legendary Soul Train dance line, which has become a timeless staple on dance floors across America. In 2016, BET, acquired the "Soul Train" brand and remains dedicated to revitalizing the brand while also honoring its heritage.