You may remember when VH1 hosted their recent Hip Hop Honors: The 90’s Game Changers, SWV’s Leanne “Lelee” Lyons expressed her disappointment at her group being left out of the night’s festivities. After all, Mariah Carey was honored for her many rap collaborations. So it makes sense that, SWV who also collaborated with rappers and had the most Hip Hop swag and fashion sense of any female R&B group, would also be invited to attend. But they were not.
And Lelee let the world know she wasn’t happy about it. During the airing of the show, she hopped on Facebook to let it be know exactly how she felt:
“Soooooo, VH1 is doing a show on game changers of the 90’s, but not invite most of the artists that changed the game? Where they do that at? I’m so sick of the d*ck riding, popularity contests that flatters this new industry. #SWV #thatisall #payoladidntgetushere #musicdid #numbersdontlie”
When people attempted to make her comments about shading the other honorees, Lelee explained further:
“The 90’s movement was a big musical moment for many artists and producers. Everyone was doing their thing and won. I continue to stand on SwV’s musical contributions during that time and won’t apologize for it. But Please don’t misinterpret my post. EVERYONE that was honored totally deserved to be. Are you kidding me? JD was the king of ATL. Everyone attended his parties in the A. Master P turned our young rappers into savvy businessmen. He taught all of us how to grind.
Our label wasn’t popular amongst our culture, neither was our producers, but we made great hit records that the world continue to love and sing 20 plus years later. I speak not only for SWV, but for the many gamechangers during that time.
Please don’t make this about an invite or me discrediting the honorees—-stop it!!! All I’m saying is #doyourhomework
Lionel C. Martin videography definitely changed the game. He and Hype should’ve taken that honor together. Just my opinion?”
When I first read her comments, I did see the merit in them. I honestly wondered why she needed the recognition. Surely, as far as I thought SWV always got their props back in the day. But, unfortunately I was wrong.
While SWV has been nominated for 25 awards, including four American Music Awards, 13 Billboard Music Awards and two Grammys, they’ve never won a single award. Not. one
SWV will receive the Lady of Soul award at 2017 Soul Train Awards — their very FIRST award since debuting on the music scene in 1992. pic.twitter.com/7knq4MQWIg
— throwback hits/facts (@goldenerahits_) October 17, 2017
Really, it’s a shame considering all that SWV has contributed to the culture. From their look, to their music, this was undeniably a group that has stood the test of time and meant so much to our culture. It speaks not only to how exceptional talent can be overlooked and go unacknowledged by these musical institutions we hold in such high esteem; but also, to the fact that if Soul Train, an institution for and by Black people, hadn’t bestowed this honor on them, when would they have been recognized?
However, I don’t want to stay focused on the negative, so let’s get to the happy ending of this story. SWV will receive the Lady of Soul award at 2017 Soul Train Awards. The 2017 Soul Train Awards will take place on November 5 in Las Vegas and will air on November 26 on BET. Catch the full list of nominations below:
BET Presents: 2017 Soul Train Awards Nominees
Best New Artist
6lack
H.E.R.
Kevin Ross
Khalid
Sza
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Bruno Mars
Bryson Tiller
Chris Brown
Khalid
The Weeknd
Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
Kehlani
Lalah Hathaway
Ledisi
Mary J. Blige
Solange
Sza
Soul Train Certified Award
Bell Biv Devoe
Johnny Gill
Lalah Hathaway
Ledisi
Mack Wilds
Video Of The Year
Beyoncé – “All Night”
Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
Chris Brown Ft. Usher & Gucci Mane – “Party”
DJ Khaled Ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Solange – “Cranes In The Sky”
Best Gospel/ Inspirational Award
Chance the Rapper
Charlie Wilson
Kirk Franklin
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Album/ Mixtape Of The Year
Bruno Mars – 24k Magic
Mary J. Blige – Strength Of A Woman
Solange – A Seat At The Table
Sza – Ctrl
The Weeknd – Starboy
Rhythm & Bars Award (Formerly Best Hip-Hop Song Of The Year)
Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow”
Dj Khaled Ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
French Montana Ft. Swae Lee – “Unforgettable”
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”
Yo Gotti Ft. Nicki Minaj – “Rake It Up”
Song Of The Year
Bruno Mars – “That’s What I Like”
Childish Gambino – “Redbone”
Dj Khaled Ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Khalid – “Location”
Solange – “Cranes In The Sky”
The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Cranes In The Sky” – Written By: Troy L. John, Solange Knowles, Raphael Saadiq (Solange)
“Location” – Written By: Alfredo Emmanuel Gonzalez, Olatunji Olutomiwa, Samuel David Jimenez, Khalid Robinson, Joshua Scruggs (Khalid)
“Love Me Now” – Written By: Blake Matthew Simon Mills, John Henry Ryan, John Roger Stephens (John Legend)
“Redbone” – Written By: George Clinton, William Earl Collins, Gary Lee Cooer, Donaldmckinley Glover Ii, Ludwig Emil Tomas Goransson (Childish Gambino)
“Versace On The Floor” – Written By: Christopher Steven Brown, James Edward Fauntleroy, Bruno Mars, Philip Martin Lawrence (Bruno Mars)
Best Dance Performance
Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
Chris Brown Ft. Usher & Gucci Mane – “Party”
Dj Khaled Ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Solange Ft. Sampha – “Don’t Touch My Hair”
Wizkid Ft. Drake – “Come Closer”
Best Collaboration
Dj Khaled Ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Jazmine Sullivan & Bryson Tiller – “Insecure”
Mary J. Blige Ft. Kanye West – “Love Yourself”
Solange Ft. Sampha – “Don’t Touch My Hair”
Sza Ft. Travis Scott – “Love Galore”
