Tems Is the Only Artist Up for Both Soul Train Fan Votes

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Nigerian singer Tems has earned two nominations at the 2026 Soul Train Awards, and she is the only artist nominated in both of the show's new fan-voted categories. BET announced the nominees on Monday, October 5. Tems is up for R&B/Soul Song of the Year for "What You Need" and for Spotify's RNB X International Artist award, according to HOT 96.9 Boston, citing Billboard, and Nigeria's Leadership newspaper. Fans decide, for the first time HOT 96.9 reports that fans will pick the winners in both categories, a first for the show. Votes for R&B/Soul Song of the Year are cast on BET.com, while votes for the International Artist category, which is tied to an R&B playlist, are cast in a music app. Voting closes on October 16. "We're thrilled to put the vote in the fans' hands for the first time," said Connie Orlando, BET's EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy, in a statement quoted by HOT 96.9. "From the biggest songs of the year to the artists taking R&B global, these categories show how far the genre reaches right now." The Song of the Year field Ten songs are in the running. A song had to come out between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, to qualify. HOT 96.9 lists the nominees as: "Butterflies" by Brent Faiyaz "I Just Might" by Bruno Mars "It Depends" by Chris Brown featuring Bryson Tiller "Who Knows" by Daniel Caesar "Yukon" by Justin Bieber "Folded" by Kehlani "Is It a Crime" by Mariah the Scientist featuring Kali Uchis "Man I Need" by Olivia Dean "What You Need" by Tems "Chanel" by Tyla HOT 96.9 adds that "What You Need" sits in the top five on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Tyla also nominated South Africa is represented too. HOT 96.9 reports that Tyla 's "Chanel" nomination is her second Soul Train Awards nod, after a Best New Artist nomination in 2023. Tyla is currently on her A*POP tour, which we covered in our report on her European guests . The International Artist shortlist Seven artists are up in the RNB X International Artist category: Cleo Sol, FLO, kwn, Odeal, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Tems and Tiana Major9. HOT 96.9 says BET chose them for their pull with listeners, their streaming numbers and their mark on the genre. Key facts Nominee: Tems, Nigeria Categories: R&B/Soul Song of the Year ("What You Need") and Spotify's RNB X International Artist Fan voting closes: October 16, 2026 Ceremony: Friday, November 27, 8pm ET/PT on BET (2am WAT, November 28) Simulcast: CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV2 and LOGO Host: Anthony Anderson, in Chicago About Tems HOT 96.9 describes Tems, whose full name is Temilade Openiyi, as a multiple Grammy winner. Her profile rose after Wizkid featured her on his 2020 hit "Essence," and in 2022 she became the first African artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, according to the station. Leadership notes that in the Song of the Year category she competes against Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller, Daniel Caesar, Justin Bieber, Kehlani, Olivia Dean and Tyla. Who is behind the show According to HOT 96.9, Connie Orlando is executive producer for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment produces the ceremony, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers. The two fan-voted categories are new this year, which is why Tems's double nomination stands out: no other artist appears on both lists. What's next Fans have until October 16 to vote. That deadline also applies to a separate poll for The 20 Greatest R&B Songs of the 2020s, with the top 20 revealed during the red carpet show "Back on Track" on November 27. Anthony Anderson hosts the ceremony in Chicago, and BET says it will name performers and honorees in the coming weeks. See past winners on our Soul Train Music Awards page. Sources: HOT 96.9 Boston | Leadership