The Nominees for Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Jazmine Sullivan
This is probably the most competitive category — every woman on the list had a stellar year — especially Jennifer Hudson, whose triumphant re-emergence is nothing less than spectacular.
Who Will Win: Keyshia Cole
Who Should Win: Keyshia Cole
The Nominees for Best New Artist
Keri Hilson
Kid Cudi
Ryan Leslie
M.I.A.
Jazmine Sullivan
This is always a confusing category, mostly because every year there is an artist included who is not new. This year, that title goes to M.I.A. who has been out for a few years, but just recently landed on urban radio’s radar with her hit, “Paper Planes.”
Who Will Win: Keri Hilson
Who Should Win: Jazmine Sullivan
The Nominees for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
T.I.
Kanye West
Young Jeezy
This is another competitive category, especially since everyone on the list actually released a great album.
Who Will Win: Lil Wayne. He’s won everything else this year, why not?
Who Should Win: Rick Ross. Former cop or not, Deeper Than Rap is hands down one of the best albums of the year.
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The Nominees for Best Male R&B Artist
The-Dream
Jamie Foxx
Ryan Leslie
Ne-Yo
T-PainWith Jay-Z hailing the death of auto-tunes, most of the folks in this category might be out of work next year.
Who Will Win: The-Dream
Who Should Win: Ryan Leslie
The Nominees for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Lil Mama
M.I.A.
Trina
There’s still a category for Female Hip-Hop artists? Seriously. None of the women on this list released an album this year, and M.I.A. isn’t really even a rapper. This is just sad.
Who Will Win: M.I.A.
Who Should Win: Who cares? Hip-hop needs some serious self-reflection on why women rappers remain so unimportant.
Now it’s your turn. Vote for your favorite artist in each category:
The Nominees for Best Male R&B Artist
The-Dream
Jamie Foxx
Ryan Leslie
Ne-Yo
T-Pain
The Nominees for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
T.I.
Kanye West
Young Jeezy
The Nominees for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Lil Mama
M.I.A.
Trina
The Nominees for Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Keyshia Cole
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Jazmine Sullivan
-Compiled by Jacinta Howard
