1997 Soul Train Music Awards

Soul Train Music Awards
Date	March 7, 1997 (1997-03-07)
Location	Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Country	United States
Hosted by	Gladys Knight, Brandy and LL Cool J
First award	1987
Most awards	Maxwell (3)
Website	soultrain.com
Television/radio coverage
Network	WGN America

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 (featuring Slick Rick) - "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 (featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen) – "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