R. Kelly wins big at Billboard Awards

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- R. Kelly nearly swept the fourth annual Billboard-AURN R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, winning seven out of the eight categories in which he was a finalist Friday night.

Top honors also went to Beyonce and OutKast.

Kelly took home awards for top songwriter, producer, artist, singles artist, male artist, singles and singles airplay for "Step in the Name of Love." The only award for which he was nominated and did not win was top albums artist, which went to Southern hip-hop duo OutKast.

OutKast won three other awards -- top artist duo or group, album and rap album, for "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below."

Beyonce was named both top female artist and new artist.

Billboard also honored legendary R&B/soul artist Isaac Hayes and socially conscious hip-hop artist KRS-One with its third annual Founders Awards, given to artists for their achievements and influence in the R&B and hip-hop genres.

The awards are determined by sales and radio airplay data that informs Billboard's weekly charts.

2004 BILLBOARD R&B-HIP-HOP AWARDS

Album: "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," OutKast

Single: "Step In The Name of Love," R. Kelly

Artist: R. Kelly

Male Artist: R. Kelly

Female Artist: Beyonce

Duo or Group: OutKast

New Artist: Beyonce

Singles Artist: R. Kelly

Albums Artist: OutKast

Rap Album: "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," OutKast

Singles Sales: "Superstar/Flying Without Wings," Ruben Studdard

Singles Airplay: "Step In The Name Of Love," R. Kelly

Hot Rap Tracks: "Get Low," Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, featuring Ying Yang Twins

Songwriter: R. Kelly

Producer: R. Kelly

Major Label: Island Def Jam Music Group

Independent Label: TVT