With a record breaking ten nominations, 50 Cent was the man of the hour at the Billboard-American Urban Radio Networks 2003 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards show on Friday in Miami Beach, in the end netting four statuettes for top R&B/hip-hop artist; top R&B/hip-hop artist, male; top R&B/hip-hop artist, new; and top R&B/hip-hop singles and tracks artist.
R. Kelly and Eminem tied with three trophies each Kelly's 'Ignition' won top R&B/hip-hop singles and tracks and top R&B/hip-hop singles sales and he also won R&B/hip-hop songwriter of the year. 'The Eminem Show' got top R&B/hip-hop album and top rap album.
Unsurprisingly The Neptunes won the R&B/hip-hop producer of the year award.
Island Def Jam Music Group received the R&B/hip-hop major label of the year accolade, and Koch won for R&B/hip-hop independent label.
The Billboard awards use the word 'top' rather than 'best' in their award titles because the winners are chosen according to sales and airplay data from the last year rather than any public voting or judging panel.