Portraits From Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players & Live Event

Billboard honored the top power players across hip-hop and R&B on Tuesday (Aug. 8) and celebrated 50 historic years of hip-hop at the 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Event and R&B Hip-Hop Live.

Presented in partnership with VIBE, Billboard R&B Hip-Hop Live took place at The Novo in downtown Los Angeles and featured high energy performances by headliner Metro Boomin and opening acts Coi Leray and Armani White.

Leray took the stage with a jam-packed set that included hits like “B—- Girl,” “Baby Don’t Hurt Me,” “Bops,” “Get Loud,” “Make My Day” and, of course, “Players,” which became her first top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 when it peaked at No. 9 on the tally in April.

White performed tracks like “SILVER TOOTH,” “Onederful” and “Thanksgiving,” as well as his hit single “BILLIE EILISH.”

When Metro Boomin took the stage, he commanded the audience’s attention with tracks including “10 Freaky Girls,” “Niagara Falls (Foot or 2),” “Creepin’,” “Umbrella,” “Minute,” “No Complaints” as well as Spider-Verse cuts including “Calling” and “Self Love.”

Metro also honored his production work by performing “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” (a cut off Kanye West’s Life of Pablo), Post Malone’s “Congratulations” with Quavo and “Heartless” by The Weeknd.

In honor of the exciting R&B Hip-Hop Live event, see below for official portraits from the evening.