What Is 1999 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards

Overview

The 1999 Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards celebrated the most influential female artists in R&B, soul, and gospel music during the late 1990s. This fifth annual edition highlighted achievements from the previous year and reinforced the cultural significance of Black women in the music industry.

Hosted by legendary vocalists Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight, the event combined high-energy performances with heartfelt tributes. It aired on television, bringing national attention to rising stars and established icons alike.

• September 1, 1999 marked the official date of the ceremony, held in Los Angeles, California.
• The awards were created in 1995 specifically to spotlight achievements by women in soul and R&B music.
• Destiny's Child won Best R&B/Soul Single for their hit Bills, Bills, Bills, solidifying their mainstream breakthrough.
• Whitney Houston received the Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring her monumental impact on vocal performance and pop-soul crossover.
• The event was produced in conjunction with Soul Train, the iconic music television show founded by Don Cornelius.

Winners and Categories

The 1999 ceremony featured a broad range of competitive and honorary categories, emphasizing artistry, vocal excellence, and cultural influence. Each award highlighted different dimensions of success in the music industry, from sales to social impact.

• Best R&B/Soul Album – Female: Erykah Badu won for Baduizm, a neo-soul landmark released in 1997 but still influential in 1999.
• Best Gospel Performance: Kim Burrell took home the award for her powerful vocal delivery in the gospel category.
• Best New Artist: Macy Gray was recognized following the success of her debut single I Try, which gained traction in 1999.
• Best R&B/Soul Group: TLC was nominated but Destiny's Child ultimately won for their chart-topping harmonies and style.
• Best Songwriter: Diane Warren received honors for her contributions to multiple hit songs performed by leading female artists.
• Viewers' Choice Award: En Vogue won based on fan voting, demonstrating strong public engagement with the event.

Comparison at a Glance

Award categories and winners from 1999 are compared below with those from 1998 and 2000 to illustrate trends in recognition and genre evolution.

The table reveals a shift from solo auteur success (as seen with Lauryn Hill in 1998) to group dynamics and emerging neo-soul influences by 1999. It also shows increasing fan participation through the Viewers' Choice category, reflecting the growing role of public opinion in music accolades.

Why It Matters

The 1999 Lady of Soul Awards played a pivotal role in affirming the artistic contributions of Black women during a transformative era in music. At a time when hip-hop and pop were dominating charts, the event preserved space for vocal excellence and genre authenticity.

• The awards provided national exposure for women in genres often underrepresented at mainstream ceremonies like the Grammys.
• Winning artists such as Destiny's Child used the platform to launch long-term careers, influencing future generations of performers.
• The inclusion of gospel music underscored the deep spiritual roots of soul and R&B traditions.
• By honoring legends like Whitney Houston with lifetime awards, the event bridged generations of musical excellence.
• The ceremony helped validate fan engagement through viewer-voted categories, a practice later adopted by larger award shows.
• Its annual run from 1995 to 2007 created a documented legacy of Black female artistry in contemporary music history.

Though the awards eventually went on hiatus, the 1999 edition remains a cultural touchstone for fans and historians studying the evolution of soul music and gender representation in entertainment.