NAACP Image Awards: H.E.R., Megan Thee Stallion, Usher Among Night 1 Winners

H.E.R., Megan Thee Stallion and Usher were among the winners during Night 1 of the NAACP Image Awards, which were unveiled Monday during a virtual ceremony.

Usher was named outstanding male artist, H.E.R. won the award for outstanding female artist, and Megan Thee Stallion won for outstanding hip-hop/rap song for “Cobra.”

Other winners included Victoria Monét, Tems, Kirk Franklin and Chris Brown.

Khleo Thomas hosted the NAACP Virtual Image Awards show. Non-televised awards in other categories will be handed out in virtual shows on Tuesday and Wednesday. Additional awards will be handed out at a dinner hosted by Sherri Shepherd on Thursday and at a fashion show hosted by Brandee Evans on Friday. Frankie Beverly will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at Thursday’s dinner, while June Ambrose will receive the NAACP Vanguard Award for Fashion at Friday’s Fashion Show. 

On Saturday, the 55th NAACP Image Awards will air live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS with Queen Latifah hosting.

A full list of winners from Night 1 follows.

Outstanding International Song

“Me & U” – Tems

Outstanding Jazz Album

Brand New Life – Brandee Younger

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard feat. Anthony Brown

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album

Father’s Day – Kirk Franklin

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)

“How We Roll” – Ciara feat. Chris Brown

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)

“Sensational” – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album

The Color Purple – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Various Producers

Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film 

“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” – Jongnic Bontemps

Outstanding Male Artist

“Good Good” – USHER with 21 Savage x Summer Walker

Outstanding Female Artist

“The Journey” – H.E.R.

Outstanding New Artist

Jaguar II – Victoria Monét 

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song

“Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion

Outstanding Album

Jaguar II – Victoria Monét

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

Family Lore – Elizabeth Acevedo

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction

The New Brownies’ Book – Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

Rootless – Krystle Zara Appiah

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography

Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement – Dr. Tanisha C. Ford

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

Historically Black Phrases: From ‘I Ain’t One of Your Lil’ Friends’ to ‘Who All Gon’ Be There?’ – Jarett Hill, Tre’vell Anderson

Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel 

The Talk – Darrin Bell

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry

Suddenly We – Evie Shockley

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

CROWNED: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora – Kahran Bethencourt

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

Everyone’s Thinking It – Aleema Omotoni