ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Cedrick the Entertainer performs onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: The Original Seven onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Keri Hilson presents the award for “Best New Artist” onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Common performs onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Jus Blaze and Amber Rose onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Tamar Braxton sings onstage during a tribute to Gladys Knight at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Natalie Cole sings onstage during a tribute to Gladys Knight at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Gladys Knight onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Marsha Ambrosius performs onstage during a tribute for Gladys Knight at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Cee Lo Green sings with Melanie Fiona onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Tami Roman, left, and Shaunie O’Neal onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Lalah Hathaway sings onstage during a tribute to Earth, Wind, and Fire at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Robin Thicke performs onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Philip Bailey, center, Verdine White, left, and Ralph Johnson, right, the members of Earth, Wind, and Fire are honored onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Jill Scott receives the “Best Female R & B and Soul Artist” award onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Lloyd performs onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: The Braxtons onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paul Abell/PictureGroup)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 17: Cedric the Entertainer performs onstage at Centric’s 3rd Annual Soul Train Awards at the Fox Theatre, November 17, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)
The 40th Anniversary of the Soul Train awards will air this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on BET and Centric.
The star-studded show was taped last week in Atlanta, and will include a moving tribute to Gladys Knight and Earth Wind & Fire, who were both honored with the Soul Train Legend Award.
The audience was treated to soul-stirring performances throughout the night from celebrated singers Cee Lo Green, Common, Freddie Jackson, Chrisette Michelle, Mary Mary, Marsha Ambrosius, Musiq Soulchild,Anthony Hamilton, Tamar Braxton, Original 7ven (The Group Formerly Known As The Time), Natalie Cole, Jill Scott, Robin Thicke, Melanie Fiona, Keith Sweat, Bebe Winans, Joe, Lalah Hathaway and Kenny Latimore.
Some highlights from the show include a hilarious skit with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer and hip-hop pioneer Doug E. Fresh, and an inspiring Heavy D tribute with Goodie Mob, Cee Lo Green and Big Daddy Kane.
The celebrations also include appearances by Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Valerie Simpson, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Lance Gross, Amber Rose, Shaunie O’Neal, and Tami Roman.
Here is sneak peak of some of must-see moment from this year’s awards show.
