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Writer's Block is Real, Even for J.Cole: Here are 8 Tips to Overcome

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Rapper J. Cole has recently announced that he had been struggling with writer's block, but found a way to break free from it by using a type beat from Youtube music producer BVTMAN's YouTube...

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Hania Rani: A Virtuoso in the World of Classical and Electronic Music

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Hania Rani is a Polish pianist and composer whose music has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "evocative." She is known for her unique blend of classical and electronic music, which she...

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Ryan Tedder’s Studio Review: Writing Three Songs From Scratch

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Quentin Miller only got paid $30,000 for writing 6 Drake songs.

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Drake's ghostwriter controversy has been a topic of conversation since the rapper's feud with Meek Mill in 2015. Quentin Miller, a lesser-known rapper from Atlanta, was named as the ghostwriter....

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Timbaland’s Beatmaking Masterclass Review: A Class on Feeling the Flow

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Rina Sawyama -- The Voice of a Genre-Spanning Pop Star

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Rina Sawayama has burst into the consciousness of queer music listeners in recent years. My first time listening to her work was Cherry, a track that is bubbly ...

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YouTube Announces New “Creator Music” Platform

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In the wake of Tiktok’s rapid expansion and growing dominance in the short-form video market, YouTube has felt the pressure to adapt to keep up with the shifting demands of its audience...

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Deep Dive: How Conan Gray Writes His Songs

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Conan Gray is an American YouTuber turned singer-songwriter, most well-known for his songs about heartbreak and unrequited love. Throughout his career, Conan has written songs like “Crush Culture”...

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Phoebe Bridgers: A Deep Dive into Songwriting

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How Steve Lacy Makes the Most with Less

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Has the Pandemic Changed the World of Live Music?

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For the last two years, there has been something missing in the lives of music lovers around the world—live music. The advent of a global pandemic meant the absence of concerts, festivals........

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Like the Early Days of Hip-Hop: The Future of Blockchain in the Music Industry

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One of the biggest questions many spaces face today is how blockchain technology may overhaul industry norms, and the music industry is no exception. In particular...

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BET CEO says network has 'suspended' Soul Train and Hip-Hop Awards

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BET Puts Two Major Award Shows on Hold

The Soul Train Awards and Hip-Hop Awards, two cornerstone events celebrating Black music and culture, have been suspended by BET. The news was confirmed by BET CEO Scott Mills in an interview with Billboard published August 5.

“So for BET linear, we have suspended the Soul Train and Hip-Hop award shows,” Mills said, adding that the network is exploring new ways to present the events in the future.
“They aren’t gone,” he emphasized.

Mills explained that a dedicated team is actively considering where these award shows might “best live” as the media climate shifts, signaling that a format change or new platform could be on the horizon.

The Legacy of the Soul Train Awards

First launched in 1987 by Soul Train creator Don Cornelius, the Soul Train Awards have honored achievements in Black music for nearly four decades. Initially syndicated across multiple networks, the awards found a long-term home at BET in the mid-2000s.

The most recent ceremony, held in November 2023, was hosted by Keke Palmer and featured appearances by major stars such as Janelle Monáe and T-Pain.

What’s Next?

While BET has not provided a timeline for the shows’ return, Mills’ comments suggest they may resurface on a different platform or in a revamped format. The decision comes at a time when many media companies are reevaluating large-scale broadcast events due to shifting audience habits and rising production costs.

For now, fans of both the Soul Train and Hip-Hop Awards will have to wait to see what the future holds for two of Black music’s most beloved celebrations.

BET CEO says network has 'suspended' Soul Train and Hip-Hop Awardsbet-ceo-says-network-has-suspended-soul-train-and-hip-hop-awardsMuhammad SiddiquiAug 11, 2025The Soul Train Awards and Hip-Hop Awards, two cornerstone events celebrating Black music and culture, have been suspended by BET. The news was confirmed by BET CEO Scott Mills in an interview with...