Winners of the inaugural XXL Awards were announced on Tuesday, and creating the most controversy, was Drake‘s Album of the Year recognition.
Drake, Jay-Z walk away with biggest wins
The XXL Awards winners were picked by a committee of Hip-Hop heavyweights, which include Top Dawg Entertainment CEO Anthony ‘Top Dawg’ Tiffith, Victor Victor Worldwide founder Steven Victor, and Roc Nation Shari Bryant among others.
For Certified Lover Boy‘s performance on the Billboard charts and massive sales, Drake was awarded with Album and Artist of the Year, beating the likes of J. Cole’s The Off Season and Kanye West’s DONDA.
Jay-Z would also get recognition for his philanthropic works outside of music. The 52-year-old was honoured with the Humanitarian of the Year award for his contributions towards civil rights activism and prison reform.
2022 XXL Awards: Here’s the full list of winners
The 2022 XXL Awards had 12 categories. Here is the complete list of winners:
Artist of the Year
- Doja Cat
- Drake / Winner
- J. Cole
- Kanye West
- Nas
- Tyler, The Creator
- YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Album of the Year
- Doja Cat’s Planet Her
- Drake’s Certified Lover Boy / Winner
- J. Cole’s The Off-Season
- Kanye West’s Donda
- Moneybagg Yo’s A Gangsta’s Pain
- Nas’ King’s Disease II
- Tyler, The Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost
Song of the Year
- Baby Keem’s “Family Ties” ft. Kendrick Lamar
- DJ Khaled’s “Every Chance I Get” ft. Lil Durk, Lil Baby / Winner
- Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” ft. Future, Young Thug
- Kanye West’s “Off the Grid” ft. Playboi Carti, Fivio Foreign
- Moneybagg Yo’s “Time Today”
- Polo G’s “Rapstar”
- Tyler, The Creator’s “Wusyaname” ft. YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla Sign
Male Rapper of the Year
- Drake
- J. Cole
- Kanye West
- Lil Baby / Winner
- Moneybagg YoNasTyler, The Creator
Female Rapper of the Year
- Cardi B
- Coi Leray
- Doja Cat / Winner
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Nicki Minaj
- Saweetie
Best New Artist of the Year
- BLXST / Winner
- Coi Leray
- Flo Milli
- EST Gee
- Morray
- Pooh Shiesty
- 42 Dugg
Lyricist of the Year
- Isaiah Rashad
- J. Cole / Winner
- Lil Baby
- Nas
- Tyler, The Creator
- Vince Staples
- Westside Gunn
Producer of the Year
- Cardo
- Hit-Boy / Winner
- Kanye West
- The Alchemist
- Tyler, The Creator
- Wheezy
- YC
Performer of the Year
- Doja Cat / Winner
- Jack Harlow
- Kanye West
- Lil Baby
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Rico Nasty
- Tyler, The Creator
Video of the Year
- Baby Keem’s “Family Ties” ft. Kendrick Lamar
- Cardi B’s “Up”
- Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” ft. Future, Young Thug / Winner
- Internet Money’s “His and Hers”
- Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”
- Megan Thee Stallion’s “Thot Sh*t”
- Tyler, The Creator’s “Lumberjack”
Hip-Hop’s Humanitarian of the Year
- Jay-Z / Winner
- Meek Mill
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Trae Tha Truth
- Young Dolph
- 21 Savage
- 50 Cent