SZA, Usher and Victoria Monét were just some of the musicians who took top honors at the 2024 ASCAP Top Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, which took place last night in Los Angeles.
SZA, who released her record-breaking sophomore album “SOS” in late 2022, was honored with the ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap Song of the Year award for “Snooze.” The song, co-written with Leon Thomas, spent 30 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and was the only song to remain on the Hot 100 for all of 2023.
Following in the footsteps of previous winners Timbaland, Swizz Beatz and D-Nice, Usher took home the ASCAP Voice of the Culture award, an honor given to ASCAP artists who have had a significant impact on music and culture. Nicole George-Middleton, ASCAP’s vice president of membership, presented Usher with the honor after a remarkable year for the entertainer, who performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show and released his ninth studio album, “Coming Home.”
Victoria Monét, whose debut album “Jaguar II” helped her earn Best New Artist honors at the 2024 Grammy Awards, received the ASCAP Vanguard Award from ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams. Lil Baby was also among the winners with the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year award.
The event also celebrated gospel music, with ASCAP’s Gospel Song of the Year honor going to Cece Winans for “Goodness of God.” Other songwriters recognized at the event include 21 Savage, Coco Jones, Lil Uzi Vert, Summer Walker and more.
