Here Are Special Award Recipients & Performers for the 2026 Soul Train Awards: Updating List

The show will be light on competitive award categories but heavy on special awards and performances. 10/27/2026 Chaka Khan attends the Recording Academy's Special Merit Awards ceremony on Jan. 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. Mat Hayward/Getty Images BET is starting to announce the talent that will appear on the 2026 Soul Train Awards. The show, hosted by actor Anthony Anderson, will air on BET on Friday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, with a simulcast on CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV2 and LOGO. Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Durand Bernarr will receive the Soul Personified Honor and perform on the show. Bernarr will also host the 2026 Soul Train Awards Red Carpet Show: Back on Track. This digital experience is billed as “a reimagination of the traditional red carpet.” Chaka Khan has already been announced as the recipient of the Classic Soul Honor. This is the first Soul Train Awards since 2023 and the first ever to simulcast on CBS. The two-hour show will tape on Thursday, Nov. 5, in Chicago. Anderson, best known for his role on ABC’s long-running Black-ish, previously hosted the Soul Train Awards in 2013. The show will be light on competitive award categories (just two, both fan-voted) but heavy on special awards and performances. In addition, the show will crown the greatest R&B song of the 2020s, according to the fans. Connie Orlando serves as the executive producer of the 2026 Soul Train Awards for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers. Here are award recipients and performers that have been announced so far for the 2026 Soul Train Awards. This post will be updated as additional names are announced. Durand Bernarr Bernarr will receive the Soul Personified Honor and perform on the program. The Soul Personified Honor celebrates an artist “who represents the essence and spirit of R&B music,” according to BET. Fresh off his 2026 Grammy win for best progressive R&B album for Bloom, Bernarr has stepped into his next chapter with his fourth studio album, Bernarr. Named in tribute to his father, sound engineer Bernarr Ferebee Sr., the project features collaborations with Big Sean, BJ The Chicago Kid, Khalid, Sevyn Streeter and Vic Mensa. The album appeared on Billboard‘s list of The Best 50 Albums of 2026 So Far, in which Billboard‘s Gail Mitchell raved: “Simply put, hearing is believing: Bernarr — an opener on Kehlani’s upcoming tour — is here to stay.” “Durand Bernarr is an extraordinary talent whose artistry reflects the depth and boundless possibilities of R&B,” Orlando, executive vice president of specials, music programming and music strategy at BET said in a statement. “His remarkable vocal range, commanding stage presence and commitment to artistic authenticity have distinguished him throughout his career. From his journey as an independent musician to his Grammy-winning success, Durand has remained true to his creative vision. We’re proud to celebrate his artistry with the Soul Personified Honor and welcome him to this year’s Soul Train Awards.” Chaka Khan Khan is set to receive the Classic Soul Honor, which celebrates a legacy artist who has helped shape the sound and soul of R&B. Khan’s recognition underscores the Soul Train Awards’ longstanding commitment to honoring the artists, innovators and cultural architects whose contributions have left an indelible mark on music and popular culture. “Chaka Khan is an artist whose influence can be heard across generations, whose artistry has helped define the very essence of soul music, and whose legacy continues to inspire the music we hear today,” Orlando said in a statement. “The Classic Soul Honor celebrates artists whose contributions are foundational to our culture and Chaka’s unmistakable voice and enduring impact make her truly deserving of this honor. We are proud to celebrate her legacy on the Soul Train Awards stage.” Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up