2006 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards Finalists

Finalists for the 2006 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, to be handed out Sept. 8 in Atlanta. This year's finalists and winners reflect the performance of recordings on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop and rap charts during the one-year period from May 28, 2005 through the issue dated May 20, 2006.

R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUMS

"The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige (Matriarch/Geffen/Interscope)
"The Emancipation of Mimi," Mariah Carey (Island/IDJMG)
"Unpredictable," Jamie Foxx (J/RMG)
"Late Registration," Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG)

R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS

"Be Without You," Mary J. Blige (Geffen/Interscope)
"We Belong Together," Mariah Carey (Island/IDJMG)
"Unpredictable," Jamie Foxx Feat. Ludacris (J/RMG)
"Gold Digger," Kanye West Feat. Jamie Foxx (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG)

R&B/HIP-HOP ARTISTS

Mary J. Blige (Matriarch/Geffen/Interscope)
Mariah Carey (Island/IDJMG)
Jamie Foxx (J/RMG)
Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG)

R&B/HIP-HOP ARTISTS - MALE

Jamie Foxx (J/RMG)
T.I. (Grand Hustle/Atlantic/AG)
Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG)
Young Jeezy (Corporate Thugz/Def Jam/IDJMG)

R&B/HIP-HOP ARTISTS - FEMALE

Mary J. Blige (Matriarch/Geffen/Interscope)
Mariah Carey (Island/IDJMG)
Keyshia Cole (A&M/Interscope)
Alicia Keys (J/RMG)

R&B/HIP-HOP ARTISTS - DUO OR GROUP

The Black Eyed Peas (A&M/Interscope)
Dem Franchize Boyz (So So Def/Virgin)
Destiny's Child (Columbia/Sony Music)
Ying Yang Twins (ColliPark/TVT)

R&B/HIP-HOP ARTISTS - NEW

Chris Brown (Jive/Zomba)
Keyshia Cole (A&M/Interscope)
Ne-Yo (Def Jam/IDJMG)
Young Jeezy (Corporate Thugz/Def Jam/IDJMG)

R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS ARTIST

Mary J. Blige (Matriarch/Geffen/Interscope)
Chris Brown (Jive/Zomba)
Mariah Carey (Island/IDJMG)
Keyshia Cole (A&M/Interscope)

R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUMS ARTIST

Mary J. Blige (Matriarch/Geffen/Interscope)
Mariah Carey (Island/IDJMG)
Jamie Foxx (J/RMG)
Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG)

RAP ALBUMS

"Monkey Business," The Black Eyed Peas (A&M/Interscope)
"King," T.I. (Grand Hustle/Atlantic/AG)
"Late Registration," Kanye West (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG)
"Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101," Young Jeezy (Corporate Thugz/Def Jam/IDJMG)

R&B/ HIP-HOP SONGS - SALES

"Run It!" Chris Brown (Jive/Zomba)
"In The Kitchen," R. Kelly (Jive/Zomba)
"Back Together Again," Meli'sa Morgan & Freddie Jackson (LuAnn/Orpheus)
"Don't Cha," Pussycat Dolls Feat. Busta Rhymes (A&M/Interscope)

R&B/ HIP-HOP SONGS - AIRPLAY

"Be Without You," Mary J. Blige (Geffen/Interscope)
"We Belong Together," Mariah Carey (Island/IDJMG)
"Unpredictable," Jamie Foxx Feat. Ludacris (J/RMG)
"Must Be Nice," Lyfe Jennings (Columbia/SUM)

HOT RAP TRACKS

"Like You," Bow Wow Feat. Ciara (Columbia/SUM)
"Grillz," Nelly Feat. Paul Wall, Ali & Gipp (Derrty/Fo'Reel/Universal Motown)
"Gold Digger," Kanye West Feat. Jamie Foxx (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/IDJMG)
"Soul Survivor," Young Jeezy Feat. Akon (Corporate Thugz/Def Jam/IDJMG)

TOP SONGWRITERS

Johnta Austin
Jermaine Dupri
Robert Kelly
Scott Storch

TOP PRODUCERS

Mr. Collipark
Bryan-Michael Cox
Jermaine Dupri
Scott Storch

TOP MAJOR LABEL

Atlantic Group
Interscope
Island Def Jam Music Group
Sony Music

TOP INDEPENDENT LABEL

Koch
Invisible
Ruthless
TVT