Jay-Z, Michelle Obama, and Keke Palmer are among the list of honorees at the 2024 Webby Awards.

Jay-Z, Michelle Obama, and Keke Palmer are among the collection of A-Listers set to be honored at the 2024 Webby Awards.

On Wednesday, April 23rd, the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) unveiled the winners of the 28th Annual Webby Awards, a prestigious accolade that celebrates groundbreaking cultural innovators, companies, and organizations shaping the ever-evolving digital landscape. This year’s esteemed honorees include Jay-Z, Jon Batiste, Laverne Cox, Michelle Obama, Megan Thee Stallion, and Snoop Dogg.

Four individuals will also receive special achievement awards including Shannon Sharpe, who will receive the Webby Advocate of the Year Award for his impact on sports commentary and success of his “Club Shay Shay” podcast, and Keke Palmer who will receive the coveted Webby Special Achievement Award for her work as an actress and businesswoman and innovation with “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” and KeyTV.

“This year’s Webby Winners represent work at the cutting edge of creativity and innovation,” Claire Graves, President of the Webby Awards said.

“They are best-in-class creators, entrepreneurs and companies who are taking giant strides to make something entirely new to entertain, help or inform people through the Internet. We can’t wait to celebrate them at the Internet’s biggest night on Monday, May 13th.”

The annual award show will honor a variety of companies and brands, ranging from tech giants like Apple and Netflix to cultural influencers like GLAAD and NASA. Notable recipients include Barbie The Movie, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Reddit, Spotify, and Shopify, among others. Special achievement awards will be presented to Kara Swisher for her outstanding contributions to tech journalism and entrepreneurship, and actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus for her podcast “Wiser Than Me.”

The winners of the 2024 Webbys were chosen by members of IADAS, which includes individuals such as musician and actor Tobe Nwigwe, image architect Law Roach, writer Roxane Gay, content creator Quinta Brunson, and DJ Questlove, along with executives and leaders from various sectors of the tech and content creation industries.

Roc Nation Responds to Jay-Z 2024 Album Rumors

Jay-Z’s company commented on reports of a 2024 album release.

Jay-Z attends the premiere of Sony Pictures’ ‘The Book of Clarence’ at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Jan. 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

Is Jay-Z releasing a new album in 2024?

Reports of a new Jay-Z project circulated around social media Sunday afternoon (Jan. 28) after director Hidji World posted Instagram Stories implying he was on set with the rapper.

In one Story, Hidji World shared a message that said he was “shooting today” with Jay-Z. In another, he teased a photo of a first-take film slate labeled “JAY Z -2024 ALBUM.” Hidji’s name was written in as director, and director of photography Leroy Farrell’s name was also listed. The slate alluding to new Jay-Z music was dated today, Jan. 28.

As rumors of an alleged new Jay-Z album began to make their way around, Roc Nation was quick to respond. The company commented on a post on X (formerly Twitter) that had reported “A NEW JAY-Z ALBUM IS BEING TEASED FOR 2024.”

“That’s news to us,” Roc Nation wrote on Sunday.

Jay-Z’s most recent full-length solo album, “4:44,” was released in 2017, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spending two weeks in the top spot. In 2018, he collaborated with Beyoncé on the album “Everything Is Love” under the moniker The Carters, marking their first joint project as a married couple.

In a fall interview with Gayle King, Jay-Z expressed his desire to create music that carries significance. He emphasized the importance of making music that has a deeper meaning and societal impact, rather than simply producing a collection of tunes for the sake of it. Reflecting on “4:44,” he highlighted the album’s personal narrative and vulnerability, which resonated with a broad audience and encouraged introspection and exploration.