Chaka Khan to Receive Classic Soul Honor at 2026 Soul Train Awards
This has been the star's year to receive her flowers.
Chaka Khan attends the Recording Academy's Special Merit Awards ceremony on Jan. 31, 2026, in Los Angeles.
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The Classic Soul Honor celebrates a legacy artist who has helped shape the sound and soul of R&B. Khan’s recognition underscores the Soul Train Awards’ longstanding commitment to honoring the artists, innovators and cultural architects whose contributions have left an indelible mark on music and popular culture.
This has been Khan’s year to receive her flowers. In January, the singer was honored at the Resonator Awards presented by We Are Moving the Needle. In February, she received a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy. In June, she received the Vanguard Award at The Connie Orlando Foundation Presents Black Women in Music Dinner. (Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy for BET, serves as the executive producer for the 2026 Soul Train Awards for BET.)
“Chaka Khan is the embodiment of soul music,” Louis Carr, president of BET, said in a statement. “From her groundbreaking work with Rufus to a solo career that has produced some of the most iconic records in music history, she has continually expanded the possibilities of R&B and soul while inspiring generations of artists to find and own their voices. Honoring Chaka is a celebration of the music and cultural legacy that Soul Train has always embodied.”
“Chaka Khan is an artist whose influence can be heard across generations, whose artistry has helped define the very essence of soul music, and whose legacy continues to inspire the music we hear today,” Orlando said in a statement. “The Classic Soul Honor celebrates artists whose contributions are foundational to our culture and Chaka’s unmistakable voice and enduring impact make her truly deserving of this honor. We are proud to celebrate her legacy on the Soul Train Awards stage.”
Khan helped define the sound of soul, funk and R&B with timeless hits including “Tell Me Something Good,” “Sweet Thing,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “I’m Every Woman” and “I Feel for You.” She has won 10 Grammys in addition to her lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy. In 2023, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame via its award for musical excellence.
Khan’s 13th studio album, Chakzilla, released in September, was produced by Greg Kurstin and features collaborations with Sia, Snoop Dogg and Lenny Kravitz.
Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers. The Soul Train Awards is presented by Spotify as the exclusive music streaming partner and Toyota as the exclusive automotive partner.
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