BET Hip Hop and Soul Train Awards indefinitely suspended
(KTLA) – BET has indefinitely suspended its Hip Hop and Soul Train Awards.
In an interview with Billboard, BET President Scott Mills revealed that the two shows are being temporarily put on pause.
“I would say that it’s less about them being no longer and more about our team having to reimagine them for this changing media landscape that we find ourselves in,” Mills said. “They aren’t gone."
He did suggest that the shows will return via a new format or platform.
The two events have served as cultural touchstones celebrating Black music and culture for years. The BET Hip Hop Awards launched in 2006 and was hosted by comedian Katt Williams at Atlanta's Fox Theatre. Over the years, it became known for its backstage cyphers, where artists would show off their freestyling skills and dynamic onstage performances.
The Soul Train Awards, which honor the best in Black culture, music and entertainment, received its name from the legendary show. It launched in 1987 and featured performances by R&B and soul artists.
Mills told the outlet that the NAACP Image Awards and Stellar Awards won't be affected.
Mills did not discuss the BET Awards. Known as "culture's biggest night," it celebrates the achievements of Black artists, actors, athletes and more across the entertainment industry.
In June, the BET Awards celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.