Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesIt was all about the tributes at this year's Soul Train Awards, which aired Sunday on BET.
A slew of artists paid tribute to the late rapper Heavy D, who died at the age of 44 earlier this month. Also honored with tribute performances were Gladys Knight and the group Earth, Wind & Fire, both of whom were presented with the new Legend Award. Oh, and a few more awards were handed out along the way.
The show, which was taped Nov. 17 in Atlanta, was hosted by an energetic Cedric the Entertainer.
Paying tribute to Heavy D were several of his closest friends and fellow performers, including Naughty by Nature, Doug E. Fresh, Kurtis Blow and Goodie Mob, who performed some of the rapper's greatest hits. At the end of the number, the group of performers led the audience in a chant of "We got nothing but love for you, Heavy!"
Artists who participated in the tribute performances for Knight and Earth, Wind & Fire included Natalie Cole, Robin Thicke, Eric Benet, Marsha Ambrosius, Tamar Braxton, Bootsy Collins and more.
CNN's Wolf Blitzer made his second appearance at the Soul Train Awards, but instead of doing the Dougie, he beat-boxed this time!
The big winners of the night included Cee Lo Green, who took home the award for Best Male R&B/Soul Artist, and Jill Scott, who bested Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland for Best Female R&B/Soul Artist.
The night also featured performances by Miguel (who won Best New Artist of the Year), Thicke, Common, Lloyd, Anthony Hamilton and Cee Lo Green and Melanie Fiona.
Check out the winners for this year's Soul Train Awards:
- Best New Artist: Miguel
- Centric Award: Raphael Saadiq
- Best Gospel Performance Male, Female or Group: Mary, Mary, "Walking"
- Best Female R&B Soul Artist: Jill Scott
- Best Male R&B Soul Artist: Cee Lo Green
- Record of the Year (The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award): Marsha Ambrosius, "Far Away"