The Soul Train Music Awards took place Sunday night, and it was an evening full of memorable moments. Hosted by R&B legend, Erykah Badu, the ceremony not only delivered in terms of music but also in terms of message.

Though it aired this past Sunday, the ceremony was recorded on November 6th at the Orleans Arena, two days prior to the recent presidential election. Host Badu spoke of racial empowerment, coming out on stage and announcing “Black people, we made it to the future.”

Badu also demonstrated a great deal of wit in an uncertain time, with the possibility of Donald Trump’s election as president looming.

“The future is black; forget the Jetsons,” Badu said. “It’ll be more like the Jeffersons.”

Badu might have been looking to the future, but it was the past that arguably brought the most life to the evening. Another R&B star, Brandy performed a mesmerizing, memorable nine-minute medley of some of her biggest hits from the 90s and the past decade. During her performance of “Top of the World”, Brandy was even joined by co-star on the song, Mase.

Other memorable performances came courtesy of host Badu, who performed with D.R.A.M. on the song “WiFi”, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Anderson .Paak, who won the Centric Certified Award.

With many acclaimed R&B and hip-hop releases, it was a very strong year for nominees at the Soul Train Music Awards. Beyoncé was the evening’s big winner, picking up the Album of the Year honor for her album “Lemonade” as well as the Best R&B/Soul Female Artist. Her hit “Formation” not only won the Song of the Year award, but also the Video of the Year award.

The Best New Artist award was granted to Chicago rapper Chance the Rapper, who not only released his latest mixtape, “Coloring Book”, to acclaim earlier this year, but who also had a memorable appearance on “Ultralight Beam” the opener to Kanye West’s latest album “The Life of Pablo.”

Speaking of West, the video for his song “Fade”, starring Teyana Taylor won the Best Dance Routine Award, beating out tough competition from Beyoncé (for “Formation”) and Drake (for “Hotline Bling”). West was obviously not present for the awards ceremony since he is reportedly still in the hospital after a nervous breakdown resulted in him canceling the remainder of his Saint Pablo Tour.

Andra Day received the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award for her song “Rise Up”, written with Jennifer Decilveo. While Kirk Franklin won the Best Gospel/Inspirational Song award for “123 Victory.” For a complete list of the winners, check here.