Maxwell has officially recorded his rendition of Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful.” Green wrote and recorded “Simply Beautiful” for his 1972 classic album, I’m Still in Love with You. Maxwell has included the song in his live shows for years and performed it at the BET Awards in 2008 as a tribute to Green. “Simply Beautiful” will probably be included on his trilogy-finishing Blacksummers’ NIGHT album. He also shared a video of him recording in the studio and talking about his introduction to Green’s music. Tickets are on sale for his fall Serenade Tour, which has October London and Jazmine Sullivan on the bill. The Urban Hang Suite Cruise returns in 2025; cabins are being booked now. 

Maxwell is returning to the road in the fall with his Serenade tour and guests Jazmine Sullivan and October London. The North American leg of the Serenade 2024 Tour will begin in September at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The singer is also scheduled to perform at the Cincinnati Music Festival in June. The neo-soul icon’s tour schedule is always booked and last year he performed at the Kennedy Center, at Wynn’s Encore Theater in Las Vegas, and with the San Francisco Symphony. He was joined by Leela James, Robert Glasper, and more for his Urban Hang Suite cruise to the Bahamas in February. Fans are still patiently waiting for blacksummer’s NIGHT, the final album from the trilogy that started with BLACKsummer’s night.  Sullivan’s Heaux Tales won the Grammy for Best R&B Album in 2022. October London’s throwback soul has expanded its reach since he signed with Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Records. He was recently heard on the soundtrack for The Color Purple with the song “Eternity.” Tickets for the Serenade Tour will go on sale March 29th at 10 AM with VIP options for every show. 

Watch Maxwell cover Michael Jackson’s “Lady Of My Life” at the Billboard Music Awards. The soul singer honored the 40th anniversary of Jackson’s game-changing Thriller album. 

The Soul Train Awards took place Sunday night at The Apollo Theater in New York City. Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell opened and hosted the show for the fourth time. H.E.R. had the most nominations (eight) and Chris Brown came in second place with seven. Maxwell received the Legend Award and performed some of his music. Ashanti took home the Lady Of Soul Award and she gave a performance of her hits. Bruno Mars and anderson.paak’s Silk Sonic won Video Of The Year, the Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award and Song Of The Year for “Leave The Door Open.” Jazmine Sullivan won Album Of The Year for Heaux Tales. Summer Walker, Ari Lennox and Lucky Daye were among the performers. Cassidy’s Pass The Mic  had appearances from Gloria Gaynor, Stephanie Mills, Cherrelle and more. For the full list of winners and all of the performances check out BET’s homepage. Don Cornelius’s award show is in its 34th year.