The 2006 Soul Train Music Awards were held on March 18, 2006 at the Pasadena Conference Center in Pasadena, California and was hosted by Vivica Fox and Tyrese. The show marked the 20th Anniversary of the Soul Train Music Awards.

Special awards

Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements – Female

• Destiny's Child

Quincy Jones Award for Outstanding Career Achievements – Male

• Jamie Foxx

Stevie Wonder Award for Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting

• R. Kelly

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

• John Legend

Winners and nominees

Winners are in bold text.

Best R&B/Soul Album – Male

• John Legend – Get Lifted
  • Anthony Hamilton – Soulife
  • R. Kelly – TP.3 Reloaded
  • Charlie Wilson – Charlie, Last Name Wilson

Best R&B/Soul Album – Female

• Mariah Carey – The Emancipation of Mimi
  • Keyshia Cole – The Way It Is
  • Faith Evans – The First Lady
  • Fantasia – Free Yourself

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

• The Black Eyed Peas – Monkey Business
  • 112 – Pleasure & Pain
  • Earth, Wind & Fire – Illumination
  • Mint Condition – Livin' the Luxury Brown

Best R&B/Soul Single – Male

• John Legend – "Ordinary People"
  • R. Kelly – "Trapped in the Closet"
  • Bobby Valentino – "Slow Down"
  • Charlie Wilson – "Charlie, Last Name Wilson"

Best R&B/Soul Single – Female

• Mariah Carey – "We Belong Together"
  • Keyshia Cole – "I Should Have Cheated"
  • Alicia Keys – "Unbreakable"
  • Gwen Stefani – "Hollaback Girl"

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

• Destiny's Child – "Cater 2 U"
  • Floetry (featuring Common) – "Supastar"
  • Pussycat Dolls (featuring Busta Rhymes) – "Don't Cha"
  • Nina Sky (featuring Pitbull) – "Turnin' Me On"

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

• Kanye West (featuring Jamie Foxx) – "Gold Digger"
  • Common – "Testify"
  • Missy Elliott (featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop) – "Lose Control"
  • R. Kelly – "Trapped in the Closet"

The Coca-Cola Classic Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist

• Chris Brown
  • Leela James
  • Lyfe Jennings
  • Bobby Valentino

The Sprite Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Dance Cut

• Missy Elliott (featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop) – "Lose Control"
  • The Black Eyed Peas – "My Humps"
  • Gwen Stefani – "Hollaback Girl"
  • Kanye West (featuring Jamie Foxx) – "Gold Digger"

Best Gospel Album

• Donnie McClurkin – Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs
  • Kurt Carr Project – One Church
  • Kirk Franklin – Hero
  • CeCe Winans – Purified

Performers

• The Black Eyed Peas
• John Legend
• Chris Brown
• Pussycat Dolls and Avant
• Keyshia Cole
• Charlie Wilson
• Flipsyde