LOS ANGELES: R&B star Beyonce has been announced as US music magazine Billboard’s woman of the year for ‘inspiring the music business with her success’.The singer, whose latest album was a US number one and spawned a string of hit singles, is also being honoured for her influence on pop culture. Beyonce will collect her award

at a gala in New York on October 2.

The star is also being singled out for her charitable work, including helping to deliver meals to food banks in the US during her world tour. She is also nominated for nine MTV Music Video Awards, which will take place on September 13. Bill Werde, Billboard’s editorial director, said, “Beyonce is a multi-platinum artist and a multi-talented woman who clearly embodies the qualities of excellence and achievement the award was created to honour.” “She has inspired women everywhere with her unique style and business savvy,” he added.