The Best and Worst of the Soul Train Music Awards 2000

The year 2000 was a big one for music. The Soul Train Music Awards were no exception. Here are some of the best and worst moments from that year’s awards.

Introduction

The Soul Train Music Awards were held on March 5, 2000, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The show was hosted by comedian Steve Harvey. Aretha Franklin was awarded the Legend Award, and Whitney Houston received the Stanley Whitman Humanitarian Award. Lauryn Hill was the big winner of the night, taking home four awards, including Best R&B Album for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Other winners included Destiny’s Child, TLC, Usher, Maxwell, Asante Amen-ra, and Erykah Badu. The show featured performances by Destiny’s Child, TLC, Usher, Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, and Stevie Wonder.

The Best

The best thing about the Soul Train Music Awards 2000 was the performances. Some of the biggest names in music came together to celebrate the best in R&B and soul music. The show was hosted by Queen Latifah and featured performances by Beyoncé, Usher, Alicia Keys, and more.

Best R&B Male Artist: Maxwell

The annual Soul Train Music Awards celebrates the best music of the year as determined by the viewers of the syndicated music video show Soul Train. This year’s awards were handed out in Los Angeles on March 4, 2000. Maxwell won for Best R&B Male Artist, for his album Embrya.

Best R&B Female Artist: Aaliyah

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was an American singer, actress, and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight.

Aaliyah signed with Jive Records in 1994 and released her self-titled debut album in 1995 at the age of 15. The album sold three million copies in the United States and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After spending a year promoting the album, Aaliyah released her sophomore effort One in a Million in 1996. The album sold more than eight million copies worldwide and produced the number-one hits “If Your Girl Only Knew” and “One in a Million”.

Following the success of One in a Million, Aaliyah worked on her third studio album. She taped a music video for the lead single “Rock the Boat” before she died in a plane crash on August 25, 2001, at the age of 22.

Best R&B Group: Destiny’s Child

Destiny’s Child, who is also up for Best New Artist and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, won big at the awards ceremony, taking home the statuette for Best R&B Group. The girl group has been on a roll lately, with their hit album “The Writings on the Wall” spawning the chart-topping singles “Bug A Boo,” “Bills, Bills, Bills” and “Jumpin’, Jumpin’.”

Best New Artist: Sisqo

Sisqo may have won Best New Artist, but his performance was anything but new. Backed by a bevy of skin-tight dancers, Sisqo rehashed his “Thong Song” schtick, giving viewers a taste of what they’d seen countless times before. It was a lazy effort from an artist who clearly had no intention of trying to win over any new fans.

The Worst

Christina Aguilera opens the show with a medley of her hits ” Genie in a Bottle”, “What a Girl Wants”, and “Come On Over (All I Want Is You)”. Aguilera is joined on stage by a team of back-up dancers, all of whom are dressed in skin-tight, glittery outfits. The performance is flashy and over-the-top, and Aguilera does not seem comfortable on stage.

Worst Dressed: Lil’ Kim

Lil’ Kim’s arrival on the red carpet was one of the most highly anticipated fashion moments of the evening. Unfortunately, it was also one of the biggest disappointments. The rapper wore a see-through vinyl catsuit with strategic cut-outs that revealed far too much skin. She paired the risque outfit with knee-high boots and a fur coat, which did nothing to tone down the sexy look.

Most Annoying: Mase

At the time, Mase was white-hot, and “Breathe, Stretch, Shake” was one of his biggest hits. But his performance at the Soul Train Awards—complete with backup dancers in full dominatrix gear—was grating, to say the least.

Biggest Disappointment: Lauryn Hill

2000 was a rough year for Lauryn Hill. After releasing her iconic solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998, she retreated from the public eye, became a recluse, and was accused of being difficult to work with. Her appearance at the Soul Train Music Awards was her first real public appearance in two years, and fans were eagerly anticipating her performance.

Unfortunately, Hill did not live up to the hype. She arrived late to the awards show, and when she did take the stage, she delivered a lackluster performance of her new song “Mystery of Iniquity.” Fans were disappointed and concerned for Hill, who clearly seemed to be struggling.