Billboard, in partnership with Amazon Music’s flagship R&B/rap brand Rotation, will present a virtual R&B/Hip-Hop Summit on Tuesday, Aug. 17.
The one-day event will honor the genre’s most influential singers, songwriters, producers and executives during thought-provoking conversations, an exclusive performance, and exciting awards presentations. Blxst will be honored with the Rising Star Award, while Gucci Mane and Pooh Shiesty will take the stage to perform “Like 34 & 8” from Guwop’s latest album Ice Daddy.
“As the most popular genre in music today, R&B and hip-hop has a profound influence on our culture,” Julian Holguin, president of Billboard, said in a press statement. “We’ve tapped into our expertise as the ultimate music and culture authority to identify the tastemakers driving R&B’s success, and are thrilled to be partnering with Amazon Music’s Rotation to celebrate those visionary artists and their accomplishments.”
Various panel discussions will feature songwriter-producers Jermaine Dupri, Victoria Monet and Bryan Michael Cox; R&B singers Usher, Joyce Wrice and Tone Stith; rappers Flo Milli, Kash Doll, MoneyBagg Yo, Polo G, Rubi Rose and Snow Tha Product; and many more. Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant will take part in the Sports & Music conversation, while other topics include Music Management 101, The Rappers Playbook and The Next Wave of R&B.
“There’s never been a more exciting time for hip-hop and R&B than right now, and Rotation is thrilled to come together with Billboard to celebrate the visionary artists leading the way with Billboard’s R&B Hip-Hop Summit,” added Tim Hinshaw, head of hip-hop and R&B for Amazon Music. “Amazon Music created Rotation to provide a stage for the best rising newcomers and established heavyweights in hip-hop and R&B, and working with a company like Billboard who shares this vision was a natural move for us.”
The Billboard R&B Hip-Hop Summit, which can be streamed here, is powered by Billboard’s annual R&B Hip-Hop Power Players List, which honors executives across the R&B and hip-hop business. Lil Baby and Usher currently star on alternate covers of the latest issue, which will be available on print stands Saturday, Aug. 7.
The R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list is curated by Billboard‘s team of experts from within every music industry sector, including labels and distributors, management, streaming services, media, live music promoters, agencies, music publishers, business management, performing rights groups and more. All honorees are selected based on criteria ranging from nominations by peers, colleagues and superiors, to the sales and streaming performance of their affiliated artists, to their career trajectory and overall industry impact.
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