Billboard hosted its first-ever R&B No. 1s party at The Box in New York on Sunday night (Sept. 8).
Usher accepted the Entertainer of the Year award, after his “Good Good” collaboration with Summer Walker and 21 Savage became his sweet 16th No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, extending his record for the most among all singers. Luther Vandross was posthumously honored with the Icon award that his friend Fonzi Thornton accepted on his behalf. Vandross’ Billboard chart history includes eight No. 1 albums on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and seven No. 1 hits on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Victoria Monét received the Hitmaker award three days after she presented her manager Rachelle Jean-Louis with the Executive of the Year award at Billboard‘s 2024 R&B Hip-Hop Power Players. In the last year, her Grammy-nominated hit “On My Mama” has topped Adult R&B Airplay, Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. Lucky Daye received the Torchbearer award, after earning his first No. 1 in a lead role on any Billboard chart when “That’s You” from his latest album Algorithm topped Adult R&B Airplay. And Tyla accepted the Global Force award, as “Water” has spent the last 46 weeks (and counting) at No. 1 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs as well as eight weeks atop Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.
The star power extended beyond the stage, as Muni Long, Yung Miami, Shenseea, Fireboy DML, Libianca and other artists filled the room as well.
Go inside Billboard’s 2024 R&B No. 1s Party in the photos below.
