The renowned vocalist and starlet was presented with the first-ever Spirit of Soul Award by Flyana Boss.
November 27, 2023 12:25 am
Janelle Monáe not only kicked off the 2023 BET Soul Train Awards hosted by Keke Palmer but also took home the inaugural Spirit of Soul Award.
Wearing a vibrant flower cape, Monáe opened the show with The Age of Pleasure single, “Float,” before transitioning to her second number “Champagne Sh * t.” The honoree engaged audience members with raised champagne glasses before delivering a toast to life, moments to come, and “to people they can’t kill.”
A while after their dynamic set, Bobbi Lanea Tyler and Folayan Omi Kunerede of the rap group Flyana Boss presented the 37-year-old artist with the Spirit of Soul Award. In their powerful acceptance speech, Monáe talked about their family, systemic oppression, their inspirations, and more.
“It’s nothing like being recognized by your own– by your own family– yall are family to me,” they said. “Thank you for keeping the soul alive. Many people have transformed that word, and I am just so honored to have something like this for us that continues to evolve and showcase so many different kinds of what soul can be.”
Inspired by wise words spoken by their grandmother, the “Lipstick Lover” added, “‘Let the spirit use you, child. Let the spirit use you’– my grandmother would always say that. And I’m so grateful for her spirit. Her spirit was one of humility. Her spirit was one of taking care of our family.”
“Y’ all are my family. I wanted to shine a light on our community through my storytelling, through the art that I make, through movies, music, fashion; bringing it back around to us, to our Blackness, to our beauty.”
Before concluding their speech, Monáe also mentioned her icons, including Grace Jones, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and the late singer and artist, Prince. “I’m not a woman,” they quoted. “I’m not a man. I am something that you’ll never understand.”
Janelle Monáe took time to emphasize “systemic oppression and abuses of power” and reminded the audience members. “Let the spirit of love use you. Let the spirit of kindness use you,” they said. “Let the spirit of compassion use you. Let the spirit of peace be your guide always and forever. And may our spirits guide us towards creating a safe and just place for our people.”
Check out Janelle Monáe’s performance and speech above.
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