Kehlani, The Roots & More Honored at Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players 2026: Best Photos
Jill Scott, Samara Cyn, Destin Conrad and more were also on hand to accept their awards.
Billboard held its 2026 R&B Hip-Hop Power Players event in New York City on September 9. The SoHo House venue saw an assembly of rap and R&B icons mingling with industry professionals. The Roots were bestowed with the prestigious Billboard Hip-Hop Hall of Fame induction, alongside Jill Scott receiving the R&B Hall of Fame accolade.
In addition to honoring past legends, Billboard spotlighted emerging artists: Samara Cyn claimed the title of 2026 Hip-Hop Rising Star, Destin Conrad was named the R&B Rising Star, and Skippa claimed the inaugural Caribbean Rising Star award. These new stars will be performing at the R&B Hip-Hop Live 2026 concert on September 10 at Brooklyn Steel, alongside Lucky Daye, Yung Miami, and kwn.
A celebratory atmosphere prevailed as Above Ground Entertainment CEO David Ali was recognized as the R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players executive of the year. Ali, who has managed Kehlani for over a decade, delivered the prestigious honor to the Grammy-winning artist in her acceptance speech for 2026 R&B Artist of the Year. Kehlani expressed her gratitude to Ali, saying, "What I didn't know at the time is I'd gain the closest thing I've ever had to a father.
To know David is to love David." Below are some of the standout photos from the 2025 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players event.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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