Okay, this is the best election of the year. The time is coming for the 2023 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards, the biggest awards in the world dedicated to independent soul music.
We've gathered all the suggestions from readers and our industry friends and have chosen a fantastic group of finalists -- superb artists who represent all that is great about Soul Music in 2023. To be nominated, an artist must have released music (or had the music reach its commercial peak) between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. And all nominees must have released their music independently (i.e., not on one of the three major labels or their subsidiaries).
Okay, this is the best election of the year. The time is coming for the 2023 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards, the biggest awards in the world dedicated to independent soul music.
We've gathered all the suggestions from readers and our industry friends and have chosen a fantastic group of finalists -- superb artists who represent all that is great about Soul Music in 2023. To be nominated, an artist must have released music (or had the music reach its commercial peak) between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. And all nominees must have released their music independently (i.e., not on one of the three major labels or their subsidiaries).
To make sure the results are accurate and fair, all voting is by individual ballots. One ballot per person. Ballots were sent out to all SoulTracks email subscribers on Friday, November 3, and we'll announce the winners on December 7.
Congratulations to all of the artists. Share this with your friends using #SoulTracks2023.
Album of the Year
Acantha Lang - Beautiful Dreams
Cleo Sol - Gold
Helen Bruner & Terry Jones - 2nd Overture
Hil St. Soul - Back In Love
Jeff Bradshaw - Jeff Bradshaw 20
Joe Leavy - Soul On Fire
Jonathan Butler - Ubuntu
Maysa - Music For Your Soul
Nik West - Moody
Ray Curenton - Believer
Swatkins - Friends and other Necessities
Young Gun, Silver Fox - Ticket To Shangri-La
Song of the Year
"AA Side Single" - Brooklyn Funk Essentials
"Boom Baby Boom" - Nik West
"Come Back Home" - Acantha Lang
"Don't Make Me Wait Too Long" - Kimberly Brewer ft. Joe and Stevie Wonder
"Freeway" - Cleveland P. Jones, Stokes & Machine, U-Nam
"Intoxicated Love" - Castella
"Last Night Was Good for My Soul" - The Shindellas
"Look My Way" - Kevin Ross
"Text Me Tomorrow" - Con Funk Shun
"Think of You (Live)" - Tanika Charles
"Till We Meet Again" - Will Downing
"Too Much To Mention" - Jonas
Female Vocalist of the Year
Acantha Lang
Angel Sessions
Avery Sunshine
Beth
Castella
Cleo Sol
Dessy DiLauro
Hil St. Soul
I.Khan
Joan Belgrave
Maysa
Michon Young
Tanqueray Hayward
Whittington Still
Male Vocalist of the Year
Alex Harris
Eric Roberson
Joe Leavy
Lamone
Mark Scott
Sargent Tucker
Son of Pearl
Trade Stevens
Ty Causey
Will Downing
Will Preston
Will Wheaton
William Bell
Duo or Group of the Year
Anthony David & Algebra
Brooklyn Funk Essentials
Crutchfield Jones
George McCrae and Linda Law
Helen Bruner & Terry Jones
Ingram Street
Kinsman Dazz Band
RJ's Latest Arrival
The Detroit Emeralds
The Sextones
The Shindellas
Tristan
Young Gun Silver Fox
New Artist of the Year
Carletta Carletta
Claire Davis
Crutchfield Jones
Daughters of Legacy
I.Khan
Jason Morales
J-Summa
MT Jones
Ray Curenton
Saint Smith
Sandra-Mae Lux
Shailaun
Zada
Instrumentalist of the Year
Andre Ward
Christian de Mesones
Dee Lucas
Drew Schultz
Fostina Dixon
Gary Palmer
Jeff Bradshaw
Johnny Britt
Marlon McClain
Marqueal Jordan
Nik West
Swatkins
Vladimir Cetkar
Walter Beasley
Lifetime Achievement Award
To Be Announced Soon!