Soul Train Awards Roll Into Las Vegas with Tamar Braxton, K. Michelle, T.I., Wale, & Jennifer Hudson

There was love, peace, and soul when the 2013 Soul Train Awards rolled into Las Vegas on Friday night. Hosted by Anthony Anderson, this year’s show paid homage to the soul soundtrack of the ’90s, with performances from today’s brightest stars and the legends before them.

Jennifer Hudson opened the show with a medley of hits, accompanied by Evelyn “Champagne” King, Chaka Khan, and T.I., who joined her for her new single “I Can’t Describe (The Way I Feel).”

Tamar Braxton picked up awards in categories including Best R&B/Soul Female Artist and the Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award (via The Boombox). A teary-eyed Tamar accepted one of her awards from Chaka Khan and later performed her single “All the Way Home.”

K. Michelle took home Best New Artist and delivered a white-hot performance, while Wale teamed up with Mint Condition’s Stokley Williams for a mash-up of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues” and “LoveHate Thing.”

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Keith Sweat dueted with Faith Evans on his 1988 hit “Make It Last Forever.”

Dionne Warwick was honored with the Legend Award and received a star-studded salute from Ron Isley, Ruben Studdard, Chrisette Michelle, and Gladys Knight. They capped off the tribute with a performance of Warwick’s “That’s What Friends Are For.”

Slick Rick, Warren G, Dougie E. Fresh, and Big Daddy Kane thrilled with an old school hip-hop medley, while the “Blue-Eyed Soul” set starred Jon B., Bobby Caldwell, Dave Koz, and Vanilla Ice, who rapped “Ice Ice Baby.”

Other big winners included Janelle Monáe (Video of the Year for “Q.U.E.E.N.”), Robin Thicke (Song of the Year for “Blurred Lines”), and Ashanti (Best Independent R&B/Soul Performance for “Never Should Have”).

The 2013 Soul Train Awards will air on Centric and BET on Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. EST.

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