Erykah Badu calls out Iggy Azalea at Soul Train awards

The US rap community might be divided as to how “cred” Iggy Azalea might be – but urban high priestess Erykah Badu summed it all up at the Soul Train Awards where The Weeknd and Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk were multiple winners. 

As host of the awards in Las Vegas, Badu did a skit in which she quips that the night is devoted to singing and hence no rappers are allowed. She’s on her blower onstage deciding which celebrities can and cann’t hop aboard an imaginary “soul train”.

She gets a “call” from Iggy. Badu quips she can join because “what you’re doing is definitely not rap.” 

Among the highlights were special tributes to Jill Scott and songwriter and producer Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds to mark his 25 years in the business during which he masterminded New Jack Swing and discovered the likes of Whitney Houston, TLC, Usher and Toni Braxton.

The Babyface segment included an exhilarating series of performances, including a surprise appearance by Bobby Brown who duetted on Roni. Former American Idol Fantasia Barrino was also as overwhelming on Exhale [Shoop Shoop] and Superwoman, while Boyz II Men did I’ll Make Love To You and End Of The Road. Also paying tribute to the master were Brandy and Tevin Campbell while Babyface finished off with his own Whip Appeal.

The list of winners were:

Album of the Year: The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness 

Song of the Year: Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars, Uptown Funk

Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year: Kendrick Lamar, Alright

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist: Jill Scott

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist: The Weeknd 

Best New Artist: Jidenna

Centric Certified Award: Tyrese

Video of the Year: Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars, Uptown Funk

Best Gospel and/or Inspirational Song: Lecrae, All I Need Is You

The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award: Glory (from the movie Selma) written by Lonnie Rashid Lynn, John Roger Stephens and Che Smith and recorded by Common and John Legend

Best Dance Performance: Silento, Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)

Best Collaboration: Omarion ft Chris Brown & Jhené Aiko, Post To Be