2010 Soul Train Awards See Alicia Keys Triumph

The 2010 Soul Train Awards aired last night (28th November 2010), and the star-studded awards ceremony saw Alicia Keys and Usher take home the night's biggest prizes, reports MTV News. The exclusive red carpet event was hosted by Terrence Howard and Taraji P Henson.

Rising star Melanie Fiona, who walked away with the award for 'Best New Artist', said the awards were important for showcasing new soul music, saying, "Soul Train Awards are great. They come with a lot of history. They come with a lot of celebration of great music. It's a great event and beautiful people, beautiful night". Co-host Henson joked, "I just remember learning how to dress and how to dance and wear my hair from 'Soul Train'. That's where I got all my fashion tips". Among the high-profile attendees at the ceremony were Bruno Mars, R Kelly, Cee-Lo Green, and R&B legend Ron Isley, however, the night's biggest awards went to 29-year-old Alicia Keys who was named 'Best Female R&B/Soul Artist', and Usher and Trey Songz who shared the award for 'Best Male R&B/Soul Artist'. The year's 'Best Hip-Hop Song' was awarded to Eminem for his track 'Love the Way You Lie'.

Speaking about the influence of the original 'Soul Train' variety show, on which the awards ceremony is based, host Howard said, "It reminds me of the advancement that black people have made over the years 'cause 'Soul Train' really was the beginning of that Black Power movement when we actually could see ourselves. And to have an awards show based upon that 'Soul Train,' it's headed somewhere".