ASCAP will honor Usher and Victoria Monét at a party in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 27 where they celebrate their top rhythm and soul music songwriters and publishers. Usher will receive the ASCAP Voice of the Culture Award; Monét, the ASCAP Vanguard Award.
The Voice of the Culture Award is presented to ASCAP members who have had a major influence on music and culture. The honor recognizes their success both as creators and changemakers. Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and D-Nice were the latest artists to receive the award in 2021.
The Vanguard Award is presented in recognition of ASCAP members whose innovative work is helping to shape the future of music. Migos, Janelle Monáe and Beastie Boys are past recipients of the award.
“Usher has owned the R&B crown for decades, captivating listeners with his incomparable vocal chops and songs that span the R&B and pop genres,” Paul Williams, ASCAP chairman of the board and president, said in a statement. “His charisma and performances are unmatched in the R&B world and his humanitarian impact is just as undeniable.”
“Victoria Monét has proven herself not only as an illuminating songwriter, but also as a flourishing artist and ASCAP member who continues to break barriers,” continued Williams. “Her resilience, talent, and exemplary work ethic have helped her become a multi-award-winning singer and songwriter.”
Usher, who is celebrating 30 years as an entertainer, is an eight-time Grammy winner, including two wins for best contemporary R&B album. He has amassed nine No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. On Feb. 11, he headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, which became the most-watched in history. Two days before that high-profile gig, Usher released his ninth studio album, Coming Home, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2. “Good Good,” his hit collab with Summer Walker and 21 Savage, made the top 25 on the Hot 100 and was a fixture on the chart for more than six months.
Monét received seven 2024 Grammy nominations, a total topped only by SZA, with nine. She won three Grammys on Feb. 4 – best new artist, best R&B album for Jaguar II and best engineered album, non-classical, for that same album. “On My Mama,” a Grammy nominee for record of the year, made the top 40 on the Hot 100. On March 6, Monét received the Rising Star Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards.
Both artists were major winners at the NAACP Image Awards on March 16. Monét won outstanding album and outstanding new artist. Usher took outstanding male artist. Both artists are also top nominees at the upcoming BET Awards, will air live from Los Angeles on June 30. Monét has five nods; Usher has four. In addition, Usher will receive a lifetime achievement award on the BET Awards, it was announced on Thursday (May 30).
