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08 Sep 2024

Tyla Accepts the Global Impact Award | Billboard’s R&B No.1s 2024

Tyla accepts the Global Impact award at Billboard’s R&B No.1s 2024 party. 

Heran Mamo:

My name is Heran Mamo. I am the Senior R&B, Hip-Hop and Afrobeats writer here at Billboard. Those who know me know that uplifting other African women gives me one of the greatest joys in this job. So I’m really honored to be presenting our next award this evening. For years, she dreamed of becoming Africa’s first pop star. Now she’s taken over the world with her signature Papiano sound, performing her pop infused take on her native South Africa’s Amapiano in the U.S., France, Portugal, Japan, South Korea and more. Last summer, she made a major splash with “Water,” earning her first Hot 100 Top 10 hit, spending eight weeks at No. 1 on mainstream R&B Hip Hop Airplay, spending 46 weeks and counting, at No. 1 on our US Afrobeats Songs chart, and winning the inaugural Best African Music Performance Grammy award earlier this year. She successfully transformed “Africa’s the world” from a motto to her mission. Please join me in a round of applause for Billboard’s Global Force Honoree, Tyla.

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08 Sep 2024

Usher Accepts the R&B Entertainer of The Year Award | Billboard’s R&B No.1s 2024

Usher accepts the R&B Entertainer of the Year award at Billboard’s R&B No.1s 2024 party. 

Hannah Karp:

So it would not be a number one’s party without Usher. He is still breaking records as R&B’s biggest and brightest star three decades into his career, and after landing his 16th No. 1 on our R&B Hip Hop Airplay chart in November, he has way more number ones on that chart than any other artist in the charts 32 year history. Then as if that wasn’t enough, he wrapped up his game changing residency in Las Vegas in December, 100 sold out shows produced in partnership with the creative forces behind the box this very special venue that we’re in tonight, and in February, he headlined a little event called the Super Bowl Halftime Show, dazzling a record shattering 130 million viewers and catapulting his 2004 hit. “Yeah!” back to our Hot 100 Singles Chart. Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for our Entertainer of the Year Usher.

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08 Sep 2024

Victoria Monét Accepts the Hitmaker Award | Billboard’s R&B No. 1s 2024 

Victoria Monét accepts the Hitmaker Award at Billboard’s R&B No. 1s 2024 party. 

Damien Scott:

Thank you for coming out. We really appreciate it. It’s been a historical, amazing hip-hop week here at Billboard. I’m glad that we can have this R&B celebration. I’m Damien Scott. I’m the deputy editorial director at Billboard. I’ve been here for a year so far. It’s been an amazing, amazing ride. But tonight I’m here to talk about a very special person. When we named Jaguar II as one of the best albums of 2023, we said the album signaled Victoria Monét’s commercial breakthrough, and put her on the same page as all the superstars whose career she helped elevate in the years past. Because that’s what she does. She just makes everything better. Then she has kept it moving. Her mainstream arrival came when she won three Grammys, including one for best new artist, and she’s been on a roll since then. Her smash hit “On My Mama” was one of the only two songs to top the Adult R&B Airplay, Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay charts in the last year. But all of that is only a small part of why we’re so proud to present her with the 2024 Hitmaker Award. Victoria Monét, please come down and accept this.

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06 Sep 2024

Linkin Park Announces New Female Vocalist & New Album Along With Tour | Billboard News

After a seven year hiatus after the death of their lead singer, Linkin Park announced their comeback with a new album and a new tour. Keep watching for all the details on their new vocalist and new music.

Tetris Kelly:

Billboard cover stars, Linkin Park, have recruited a new singer. After the tragic death of Chester Bennington in 2017, Linkin Park entered a hiatus period. Seven years later, they’ve made their surprise comeback with a new singer. Emily Armstrong joins Mike Shinoda as co-vocalist of the chart topping band. She told Billboard,  “I’m on cloud nine, but then it hits you that there’s a lot of work to be done and going into these [older] songs, by a singular voice that’s beloved by so many people — it’s like, ‘How do I be myself in this, but also carry on the emotion and what he brought in this band?’” You may know EMily from the band, Dead Sara. Not only will she cover Chester’s vocals on tour starting next week, their new album, ‘From Zero,’ is due November 15th. Fans got a taste of what’s to come with “The Emptiness Machine.” For the full story, head to Billboard.com

06 Sep 2024

BTS’ RM & Megan Thee Stallion ‘Neva Play’ About Their New Collab | Billboard News

Megan Thee Stallion & BTS’ RM released their highly anticipated collab “Neva Play,” and the duo wasn’t playing when it came to the music video. Keep watching to see the video and who else the boys of BTS have collabed with!

Tetris Kelly:

Thee collab has finally arrived: it’s RM of BTS and Megan Thee Stallion with “Neva Play.” We’re discussing the hot new track and some other times the BTS Boys have worked with top western artists in this week’s music you should know. RM’s rap is as smooth as ever as the leader of BTS appears in the video with animated style we know Thee Stallion was a fan of. She looks flawless as always in multiple looks and moves showing us her iconic skills. It’s not the first time she has collabed with RM. She appeared on BTS’ “Butter” remix. And the fellas have worked with the best on some of their biggest hits like Halsey on “Boy With Luv,” Nicki’s epic verse on “IDOL,” their Hot 100 No. 1 with Coldplay, j-hope and J. Cole, and Jung Kook has worked with Charlie Puth, Latto and Jack Harlow. And there’s so many more. Who would you like to see BTS collab with? Let us know in the comments. 

06 Sep 2024

Selena Gomez Is a Billionaire, According to Bloomberg | Billboard News

Selena Gomez has reached billionaire status thanks to her various business ventures, according to Bloomberg. Keep watching for a breakdown of how much each endeavor makes!

Narrator:
Selena Gomez has reached billionaire status thanks to her many business endeavors. According to Bloomberg, Selena’s net worth has grown to $1.3 billion. In addition to 41 Hot 100 hits, her acting career is hotter than ever, too. Hulu’s Only Murders In the Building has gained Selena four Emmy and two Golden Globe noms, plus a reported $6 million per season, and it just got renewed for season five. She’s raking in that Disney dough as EP and star of the upcoming Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, but the bulk of her net worth comes from Rare Beauty.

Selena’s the most followed woman on Insta and her followers love to get her look. Selena shut down the rumors of selling the company earlier this year telling TIME, “I don’t have any plans on that, genuinely.”

06 Sep 2024

2024 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Party: Megan Thee Stallion, Offset & More

Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event returned to NYC on Thursday night (Sept. 5). Hundreds of high-profile artists, executives and more from the music world came together for a party to honor the hard-working individuals leaving their marks on the industry.

The Times Square EDITION hotel played host for the night, which was highlighted by Power Player cover stars and Artist of the Year winners Megan Thee Stallion and Playboi Carti, who were on hand and received their awards from Billboard staffers.

This marked a rare public outing for Carti. “I wanna thank my mama, I wanna thank God. Thank you Billboard — this my first award. I’m very happy to be here,” the Atlanta rapper said before paying tribute to Rich Homie Quan, who died earlier in the day. “RIP Rich Homie Quan. ATL in the building.”

Other award winners from the night include Teezo Touchdown as Rookie of the Year for 2024, who was presented his honor by Senior R&B/Hip-Hop & Afrobeats writer Heran Mamo. “I want to say thank you to my team for tirelessly helping me scratch every single goal I have off my list and pushing me to write down more wilder than the last,” Teezo told the crowd.

Victoria Monét delivered a heartfelt speech when welcoming her manager Rachelle Jean-Louis to the stage as she took home the honors for 2024 Executive of the Year. The Tell Your Friends CEO became emotional while detailing her enduring journey to the top of the music industry and made sure to shout-out her mother who was in the building and played an integral role in her upbringing.

There were plenty of other music dignitaries and Power Players present to celebrate the year in music, including Offset, Kevin Liles, David Banner, Saint Jhn, NLE Choppa, Sierra Lever and more. The event served as a reminder of the power of music and how it can bring people from all walks of life together peacefully under one roof.

Check out Billboard’s 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event in the photos below:

05 Sep 2024

Rachelle Jean-Louis Accepts the Executive Of The Year | R&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2024

Rachelle Jean-Louis accepts the Executive of the Year award from Victoria Monét at Billboard’s R&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2024.

Dana Droppo:

Hello everybody. My name is Dana Droppo. I’m Chief Brand Officer of Billboard. It is my tremendous honor to introduce an artist whose unparalleled talent earned her Billboard’s Rising Star honor at women in music. Also seven Grammy nominations, three wins, including Best New Artist. She’s a decorated songwriter. She’s an explosive dancer and a visionary of R&B music, a genre that is, in her manager’s words, “both timeless and influential.” Tonight, we’re here to celebrate that manager, an incredible executive who I am so proud and excited to honor. She is someone who has always answered and come through for me when I needed a favor or advice. She’s been a big dreamer and quiet hustler since the day I met her. And I also think it is illegal to be so talented and so incredibly fine at the same time. It’s giving Virgo energy, which is very appropriate, because she is the second woman ever to be named Billboard’s Hip-Hop and R&B Executive of the Year. The first was Beyonce. Please welcome to the stage. Victoria Monét.

Victoria Monét:

Hi everyone. I’m going to be reading from my phone, and I have a lot to say, so brace yourselves.

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05 Sep 2024

Megan Thee Stallion Accepts the Artist Of The Year | R&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2024

Megan Thee Stallion accepts the Artist Of The Year award from Billboard’s Editorial Director Hannah Karp at Billboard’s R&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2024.

Hannah Karp:

There’s only one woman who has topped the Hot 100 with a rap song this year, and I am thrilled to have her with us tonight. Not only did she kick off 2024 with a bang with that incredible No. 1 “HISS,” but she debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 in June as an independent artist, no less. The biggest debut for any rap album released by a woman in 2024. She also topped Billboard’s, Top R&B Hip-Hop albums chart for the second time in her career, becoming the sixth female rapper to do so, ever. And on top of it all, as a philanthropist, an activist, a college graduate, an entrepreneur and a fitness coach, that’s keeping us all in great shape, she is an incredible role model, not just for everyone in this business, but for our children and for music fans around the world. Please give it up for our Artist of the Year, Megan Thee Stallion.

Megan Thee Stallion:

Back there running my mouth. Okay? First of all, I want to thank God, yes, period. And then I want to thank my angels, my mama, my daddy, my granny, because I know they watching over me and nothing would be possible without them.

05 Sep 2024

Teezo Touchdown Accepts the Rookie Of The Year Award | R&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2024

Teezo Touchdown accepts the Rookie of the Year award from Billboard’s Senior R&B/Hip-Hop/Afrobeats writer Heran Mamo at Billboard’s R&B Hip-Hop Power Players 2024.

Heran Mamo:

My name is Heran Mamo, the Senior R&B Hip Hop Afrobeats writer here at Billboard, and I’m very excited to present our next award this evening. This genre defying star embodies the emotional melodies of an r&b singer, the clever lyricism of a rapper and the instrumental intensity of a rock star, and he certainly nailed the look of one, too. He’s taken his signature rock and boom sound from Belmont, Texas to the biggest arenas and stadiums around the country, with stars like Tyler The Creator and Travis Scott. In the words of his manager, Amal Noor, Teezo is your favorite artist’s favorite artist. Just ask Drake, who described his debut album, ‘How Do You Sleep at Night?’ , which celebrates its first anniversary in just three days, some of the best music ever. He always performs with a mic hidden in a flower bouquet, but tonight I’m honored to give him his flowers on this stage. Please join me in a round of applause for Billboard’s 2024 R&B Hip Hop Rookie of the Year, American singer-songwriter, Teezo Touchdown.

Teezo Touchdown:

Thank y’all God. Firstly, I would love to thank God for the gift. Father God, I want to say thank you for my gift that has taken me from a small town in Beaumont, Texas to corners of the world that I couldn’t even imagine.

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