,

2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards: SZA, Usher Among Artist of the Year Nominees

Beyoncé, Drake, Doja Cat, Ice Spice and Metro Boomin lead the Hip-Hop and R&B nominees at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood, Mike Coppola, Amy Sussman

Look, we all know Taylor Swift is probably winning everything at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. However, there are still several high-profile Black artists nominated for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. Of course, the Hip-Hop and R&B categories feature fan favorites like Drake, 21 Savage, SZA, Usher and Beyoncé. The show recognizes the top songs and artists from the iHeartRadio app and stations, so some of these you may know and some may be new discoveries.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Before the big show airs April 1 at 8 p.m. EST on Fox, check out our recap of the biggest names nominated at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

SZA - Artist of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSRcC626prw

With “SOS” dominating charts and “Kill Bill” captivating fans, it’s no surprise that SZA is one of the Artist of the Year nominees.

Usher - Artist of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56CW4SIqBzk

Not only was his Las Vegas residency in the headlines all year, Usher reminded everyone that he’s still got it with new R&B bangers.

Drake - Artist of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WIUpETeok

No matter what you think of Drake, you can’t deny that anytime he puts out a new album or appears on a song, it’s a big event.

“Paint The Town Red” – Doja Cat - Song of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4_9TFeMfJE

Doja Cat is great, but this is really about celebrating Dionne Warwick. I really hope she appears on the show to perform with the rapper.

“Calm Down” - Rema and Selena Gomez - Song of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcIcVapfqXw

I know it’s weird to see Selena Gomez in Afrobeats categories, but if it gets more people to pay attention, I suppose it helps.

“Good Good” – Usher, Summer Walker and 21 Savage - Best Collaboration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jA-tE-4BYI

In this uncertain world, you can always count on Usher to deliver a sexy R&B track when you need it most.

“Creepin’” – Metro Boomin with The Weeknd and 21 Savage - Best Collaboration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ymOWwOwuk

It doesn’t matter what the song is about, The Weeknd makes everything feel haunting and dramatic.

“Rich Flex” – Drake and 21 Savage - Hip-Hop Song of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4DjHHVHWAE

I’m pretty sure Drake could release a song with Alvin and the Chipmunks and it would be nominated for Best Collaboration. Dammit! Now I want to hear that song.

Ice Spice - Best New Artist (Hip-Hop)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__ym7vClmp4

Ice Spice has been sweeping new artist awards this year, but she has tough competition from Doechii, Lola Brooke, Sexyy Red and Young Nudy.

Drake - Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bxhAxRmrJw

21 Savage, Future, Gunna and Lil Durk are all popular acts, but we all know Drake is winning this one.

“CUFF IT”- Beyoncé - R&B Song of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrtWLyp5gLI

With all due respect to the other nominees, Queen Bey’s only real competition here is from Victoria Monét’s “On My Mama.”

Beyoncé - R&B Artist of the Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz1rIp1-b-Y

We will look back on 2023 as The Year of the Renaissance.

Tyla - Best African Music Artist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoiOOiuH8iI

Every once in a while, an artist breaks through and we instantly know they’re going to be special. That’s how we feel about Tyla.

Victoria Monét - Best New Artist (R&B)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdJ-Qwu3y4Y

There may not be another category that is more of a lock than this one. We know Victoria Monét is exactly new, but “On My Mama” was too good and it was everywhere.

In Pieces– Chlöe - Favorite Debut Album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bopi8GS7d6c

Chlöe’s debut may not have conquered the charts, but her music is interesting and fresh.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky's Fashion Show During Paris Men's Fashion Week

Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky’s Fashion Show During Paris Men’s Fashion Week

The rapper showed of the latest AWGE collection at a Paris Fashion Week show ...
15 Sneaky Moves Pulled by Trump That'll Have A Grave Impact On You

15 Sneaky Moves Pulled by Trump That’ll Have A Grave Impact On You

From cutting the Job Corps to sneaking in scary artificial intelligence regulation, many fear Trump is trying to distract Americans with an onslaught of questionable moves ...

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncé Concert, But One  Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncé Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

A group of friends who experienced tragedy on their way to a Cowboy Carter show have sparked a viral debate about what would keep fans from seeing Queen Bey ...
This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

Once Hayley Williams' clip began to make the rounds on social media, a lot of Black folks had a myriad of reactions! Let's get into it ...
Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn't Seem Sorry ...Anymore

Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn’t Seem Sorry …Anymore

It looks like the "Fresh Prince" star is feeling a bit differently about it than before and we've got the tea to prove it! ...
Angela Bassett arrives for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Chris Delmas / AFP

8 Black Actors Who Got Their Start in August Wilson Plays

Some of our greatest actors have appeared in the prolific playwright's shows on and Off Broadway ...
Many Believe This Prophecy That Predicts the Return of Christ Is Coming True ...Thanks Trump ...

Many Believe This Prophecy That Predicts the Return of Christ Is Coming True …Thanks Trump …

Whether you're religious or not, we know the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah and Noah's Ark, but how about the one predicting Jesus' return? ...
50 Cent is Being Dragged Over This Super-Shady Move Toward NYC Mayor Hopeful Zohran Mamdani

50 Cent is Being Dragged Over This Super-Shady Move Toward NYC Mayor Hopeful Zohran Mamdani

50 Cent doesn't shy away from the beef, so after Zohran Mamdani name-dropped him, the 49-year-old took to Instagram to get some things off his chest ...
Why Nelly, Ashanti's New Show Has the Internet Annoyed and Angry

Why Nelly, Ashanti’s New Show Has the Internet Annoyed and Angry

While some fans were excited to get an up-close and personal look at the couple, others weren't too pleased at what they saw ...
Amazing Story Behind Why Money Dropped From The Sky To a Black Detroit Neighborhood

Amazing Story Behind Why Money Dropped From The Sky To a Black Detroit Neighborhood

The son of a local car wash owner helped his father share his final wish with the community he loved ...
Enough Beyoncé! For The Sake of Your of Your Kids, Safety of Fans, Stop Riding That Flying Car

Enough Beyoncé! For The Sake of Your of Your Kids, Safety of Fans, Stop Riding That Flying Car

The singer was almost seriously injured on Saturday night. Time to let the car go ...
Black Internet Cheered 'Pop The Balloon' Contestant's  Clap back To A Male Panelist's Remarks About Black, Female Hair

Black Internet Cheered ‘Pop The Balloon’ Contestant’s Clap back To A Male Panelist’s Remarks About Black, Female Hair

Black social media cheered the female panelist on for her bold clapback towards this male contestant's insensitive remarks ...
Why Kountry Wayne's Latest Episode is a Reminder That Black Women Never Get the Grace Black Men Do

Why Kountry Wayne’s Latest Episode is a Reminder That Black Women Never Get the Grace Black Men Do

The popular internet soap opera sees a Black woman get dragged in the comments...while her equally trashy Black male equivalent skates off ...
Black Twitter Reacts to Trump Crushing on a Beautiful Black Woman In The Oval Office

Black Twitter Reacts to Trump Crushing on a Beautiful Black Woman In The Oval Office

The Black reporter was beautiful, but did President Trump have to make her looks front and center? ...
The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

We rounded up a handful of the newest and best Black TV shows and movies currently streaming right now ...
Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

EXCLUSIVE: The host of "The Joy Reid Show" gave us some real talk about the Trump agenda ...
Trump's Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Buying a car or a phone? Here’s what to know about tariffs in 2025, according to Marketplace's Kimberly Adams ...
Why Halle Berry's Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

Why Halle Berry’s Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

The Oscar-winning star has never shied away from baring it all on social media, and her latest post certainly has people talking! ...
When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

The longtime actress simply wanted to portray influential historical figures, but things unfortunately went South. Let's get into it! ...
Diddy's Daughters' Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America's Outcry

Diddy’s Daughters’ Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America’s Outcry

Video of Diddy's daughters circulated the internet, and just as folks continue to share their thoughts on the trial, the girls were also subjected to the public's court of opinions ...