(October 21, 2020) Okay, this is one election we can all agree on. The time is coming again for the 2020 SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Awards, the biggest awards in the world dedicated to independent soul music.
We’ve gathered all the suggestions from readers and our industry friends and have chosen a fantastic group of finalists — superb artists who represent all that is great about Soul Music in 2020. To be nominated, an artist must have released music (or had the music reach its commercial peak) between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020. And all nominees must have released their music independently (i.e., not on one of the three major labels or their subsidiaries).
To make sure the results are accurate and fair, all voting is by individual ballots. Voting ballots will be sent out to all SoulTracks email subscribers on Friday, November 6. If you’re already a SoulTracks email subscriber, you’re all set. If you’re not, you can sign up at the top of this page before that date. It’s free and we will never share your email address with anyone else.
Congratulations to all of the artists. Share this with your friends using #SoulTracks2020.
Album of the Year
Alina Baraz – It Was Divine
Brandy – B7
Brian Owens and the Royal Five – Love Came Down
Chris Walker – We’re In This Love Together: Celebrating Al Jarreau
Eric Roberson – Hear from Here
Incognito – Tomorrow’s New Dream
Kirk Whalum – Humanite
Ledisi – The Wild Card
PJ Morton – Gospel According to PJ
Portrait – Afro Trees
Randy Muller – Welcome To My Life
Tinashe – Songs For You
Song of the Year
“Already Knew You” – Eric Roberson
“Anything For You” Ledisi and PJ Morton
“Be Here” – Boney James feat. Kenny Lattimore
“Be The Change” – Jarrod Lawson
“Fly With You” – Force MDs
“How Will You Remember Me” – Avery Sunshine
“I Don’t Choose You” – Tatiana Scott
“I’m Grown” – Mavis Swan Poole
“Inside You (B’s Side) – Joe Leavy
“Roses” – Gregg Jackson, Christopher Williams, Alexander O’Neal
“She” – Stokley
“The Power of One” – Bootsy feat. George Benson and Brian Culbertson
“This Kind of Love” – Tanqueray Hayward
Female Vocalist of the Year
Alina Baraz
Brenda Nicole Moorer
Conya Doss
Kea Michaels
Ledisi
Lindsey Webster
Mavis “Swan” Poole
Maysa
Nyah Grace
Regina Troupe
Tamika Scott
Tinashe
Whitney McClain
Male Vocalist of the Year
Antoine Dunn
Bigg Robb
Chris Walker
Cleveland P. Jones
D.Folks
Eric Roberson
Jarrod Lawson
Joe Leavy
Kevin Ross
Lorenzo Owens
PJ Morton
Russell Taylor
Ryan Shaw
Stokley
Will Downing
Duo or Group of the Year
Ascendant
Black Pumas
Blakbot
Brian Owens and the Royal Five
Chelsey Green and the Green Project
Cool Million
Force MDs
Hannah Williams and The Affirmations
Incognito
Kloud 9
Park Avenue
Plunky & Oneness
New Artist of the Year
Aya Ito
Brandon Lewis
Karen Linette
Lady Bain
Mykal Kilgore
Rina Chanel
Shira Elias
Taiya
Tanqueray Hayward
Tatiana Scott
Wade C. Long
Yolanda Parker
Instrumentalist of the Year
Binky Womack
Christian de Mesones
FKAjazz
John Carey
Johnny Britt
Juewett Bostick
Marcus Machado
Marlon McClain
Najee
Nate Smith
Tedi “Son of Pearl” Robinson
Terrace Martin
V. Jeffrey Smith
Lifetime Achievement Award
To Be Announced Soon…