50 Cent was the big winner at the Billboard-American Urban Radio Networks 2003 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards show, handed out last night (Aug. 8) in Miami Beach. Going in with a record-setting 10 nominations, the Shady/Aftermath/Interscope rapper scored four statuettes: top R&B/hip-hop artist; top R&B/hip-hop artist, male; top R&B/hip-hop artist, new; and top R&B/hip-hop singles and tracks artist.
R. Kelly and 50 Cent mentor Eminem tied with three wins each at the awards show, staged at the Jackie Gleason Theater. The event capped the fourth annual Billboard-AURN R&B/Hip-Hop Conference in Miami Beach (Aug. 6-8).
Eminem’s “The Eminem Show” was recognized as the top R&B/hip-hop album and top rap album. The rapper also earned kudos as top R&B/hip-hop albums artist. Kelly won top R&B/hip-hop singles and tracks and top R&B/hip-hop singles sales for “Ignition” and R&B/hip-hop songwriter of the year.
The Neptunes took home the R&B/hip-hop producer of the year award. It was the second such honor the team received for the week, having won a similar accolade at the Aug. 5 BMI 2003 Urban Awards.
The late Aaliyah was named top R&B/hip-hop artist, female. Clipse nabbed the trophy for top R&B/hip-hop artist-duo or group, and Erykah Badu featuring Common won the top singles airplay award for “Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop).”
Nelly took hot rap track of the year for “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland. Island Def Jam Music Group received the R&B/hip-hop major label of the year accolade, and Koch won for R&B/hip-hop independent label.
Betty Wright and Grandmaster Flash were this year’s Founders Awards honorees in R&B and hip-hop, respectively. These special awards acknowledge achievements by pioneering artists. Last year’s inaugural recipients were the Isley Brothers and Afrika Bambaataa.
AURN syndicated morning personality Doug Parr and actor Idris Elba, from HBO’s “The Wire,” hosted the awards. Nappy Roots, Anthony Hamilton, Mystic, Little Brother, Kanye West, Goapele and Jacki O were among the performers.
The conference and awards show were presented in association with sponsor AURN, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority.
The Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards are based on sales data from Nielsen SoundScan and airplay information from Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems. Winners reflect the performance of recordings on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop and rap charts for the 12 months ending with the issue dated May 24.
For a full list of winners, click here.
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