The 2004 Soul Train Music Awards were held on March 20, 2004 at the International Cultural Center Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The show was hosted by Alicia Keys and Babyface.

Special awards

Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements – Male

• R. Kelly

Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements – Female

• Janet Jackson

Sammy Davis, Jr. Award for "Entertainer of the Year" – Male

• OutKast

Sammy Davis, Jr. Award for "Entertainer of the Year" – Female

• Beyoncé

Winners and nominees

Winners are in bold text.^{[citation needed]}

Album of the Year

• OutKast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
  • Beyoncé – Dangerously in Love
  • R. Kelly – Chocolate Factory
  • Luther Vandross – Dance with My Father

Best R&B/Soul Album – Male

• R. Kelly – Chocolate Factory
  • Dwele – Subject
  • Anthony Hamilton – Comin' From Where I'm From
  • Luther Vandross – Dance with My Father

Best R&B/Soul Album – Female

• Beyoncé – Dangerously in Love
  • Erykah Badu – Worldwide Underground
  • Mary J. Blige – Love & Life
  • Aretha Franklin – So Damn Happy

Best R&B/Soul Album – Duo or Group

• B2K – Pandemonium!
  • The Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley – Body Kiss
  • Kindred the Family Soul – Surrender to Love
  • The Neptunes – Neptunes Presents Clones

Best R&B/Soul Single – Male

• Luther Vandross – "Dance with My Father"
  • Anthony Hamilton – "Comin' From Where I'm From"
  • Jaheim – "Put That Woman First"
  • Pharrell (featuring Jay Z) – "Frontin'"

Best R&B/Soul Single – Female

• Alicia Keys – "You Don't Know My Name"
  • Ashanti – "Rain on Me"
  • Erykah Badu – "Danger"
  • Beyoncé (featuring Jay Z) – "Crazy in Love"

Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band, or Duo

• Floetry – "Say Yes"
  • B2K – "Girlfriend"
  • The Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley and JS – "Busted"
  • Jagged Edge – "Walked Outta Heaven"

The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video

• OutKast – "Hey Ya!"
  • Beyoncé (featuring Jay Z) – "Crazy in Love"
  • Missy Elliott (featuring Ludacris) – "Gossip Folks"
  • Lil' Jon & The Eastside Boyz (featuring Ying Yang Twins) – "Get Low"

Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist

• Chingy
  • G-Unit
  • Ruben Studdard
  • Kanye West

Best Gospel Album

• Byron Cage – The Prince of Praise (Live at New Birth Cathedral)
  • Donnie McClurkin – Donnie McClurkin... Again
  • Marvin Sapp – Diary of a Psalmist
  • Vickie Winans – Bringing it All Together

Performers

• The Isley Brothers and Kim Johnson (from JS)
• Michelle Williams
• Nelly
• Murphy Lee
• Jermaine Dupri
• Alicia Keys
• Outkast and Sleepy Brown
• R. Kelly
• Ruben Studdard
• Usher, Lil Jon, Fonzworth Bentley and Ludacris