Tems Tops The Fan-Voted Soul Train Nominations

BET (Black Entertainment Television) has revealed the first nominees for the 2026 Soul Train Awards.

Fans will choose the winners in two categories for the first time: R&B/Soul Song of the Year and Spotify's RNB X International Artist.

Tems is the sole performer to receive a nomination in both.

The Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer, whose full name is Temilade Openiyi, has earned multiple Grammy Awards. Her track What You Need is competing for R&B/Soul Song of the Year.

Her breakthrough came with an appearance on Wizkid’s 2020 single Essence. In 2022, she became the first African artist to enter the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1 through Future’s Wait for U, which also features Drake.

"We're thrilled to put the vote in the fans' hands for the first time," said Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy, in a statement.

"From the biggest songs of the year to the artists taking R&B global, these categories show how far the genre reaches right now, and we can't wait to see where the votes land."

Anthony Anderson is set to host this year’s ceremony in Chicago on 27 November.

The performers and additional honorees will be revealed over the next few weeks.

The complete nominations for the two newly announced categories are listed below.

R&B/Soul Song of the Year:

Butterflies, Brent Faiyaz

I Just Might, Bruno Mars

It Depends, Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller

Who Knows, Daniel Caesar

Yukon, Justin Bieber

Folded, Kehlani

Is It a Crime, Mariah the Scientist feat. Kali Uchis

Man I Need, Olivia Dean

What You Need, Tems

Chanel, Tyla

Spotify's R&B x International Artist:

Cleo Sol

Flo

kwn

Odeal

Partynextdoor

Tems

Tiana Major9