SZA was the big winner at the Soul Train Awards 2023.
The 34-year-old star’s haul included Best R’n’B/Soul Female Artist, Album of the Year for ‘SOS’, as well as Song of the Year and The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award for mega-hit ‘Snooze’.
For Album of the Year, she beat ‘The Age of Pleasure’ by Janelle Monáe, ‘Age/Sex/Location’ by Ari Lennox, ‘Clear 2: Soft Life’ EP by Summer Walker, ‘Girls Night Out’ (Extended) by Babyface,’ I Told Them…’ by Burna Boy,’ Jaguar II’ by Victoria Monét and ‘What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe)’ by Coco Jones.
Following closely behind with three wins, Usher, 45, took home Best R’n’B/Soul Male Artist, Certified Soul, and Best Collaboration for ‘Good Good’ with Summer Walker, 27, and 21 Savage, 31.
Victoria Monét, 34, took Best Dance Performance and Video of the Year for ‘On My Mama’.
Keke Palmer hosted the ceremony, which celebrates the best in soul, R’n’B and Hip-Hop, in Los Angeles on Sunday (26.11.23).
SZA’s Soul Train haul comes after she was left “very shook” and “overwhelmed” by her nine Grammy nods.
The ‘Nobody Gets Me’ hitmaker leads the nominations at the upcoming 2024 ceremony, but she hadn’t reacted until an X user called her out for not commenting on the news, and she insisted it was because she was still taking it all in and gets filled with “anxiety” when she tries to think of a way to express her gratitude.
She responded: “Cause I’m overwhelmed by it and it gives me alotta anxiety to think of words .. but I’m very grateful and very shook and I wish my granny was here to come w me again. (sic)”
Her nods come in the Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year categories.
SZA released her acclaimed ‘SOS’ album back in December 2022, and it features the hit single ‘Kill Bill’, which is among the nominees for the Record of the Year gong.
She has won one Grammy to date, in 2022, for ‘Kiss Me More’ with Doja Cat.
The chart-topping star previously insisted she’s not motivated by accolades.
The ‘Good Days’ singer – whose real name is Solana Rowe – said: “I try not to care too much because I really had some deep disappointments when I would just be so invested. But I can’t invest because none of it is real.
“Even if I win a bunch of Grammys, that doesn’t matter. It would be so cool. But also I would not be surprised at all if I didn’t win any [more]. Because that’s just how [it] goes.”
Soul Train Awards 2023 winners’ list:
Best New Artist
Coco Jones
Certified Soul Award
Usher
Best R’n’B / Soul Female Artist
SZA
Best R’n’B / Soul Male Artist
Usher
Best Gospel / Inspirational Award
All Things Kirk Franklin
Song of the Year
‘Snooze’, SZA
Album of the Year
‘SOS’, SZA
The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award
‘Snooze’, SZA
Best Dance Performance
‘On My Mama’, Victoria Monét
Best Collaboration
‘Good Good’, Usher, Summer Walker, 21 Savage
Best Group
Maverick City Music
Video of the Year
‘On My Mama’, Victoria Monét