Billboard Women In Music

*Billboard* Women in Music
Billboard Women in Music
	Karol G, most recent Woman of the Year honoree
Awarded for	Contributions to the music industry by women
Country	United States
Presented by	Billboard
First awarded	2007
Currently held by	Karol G (2024 Woman of the Year)
Most awards	Taylor Swift (3)
Website	billboardwomeninmusic.com

Its main award is titled Woman of the Year, established to recognize "women in the music industry who have made significant contributions to the business and who, through their work and continued success, inspire generations of women to take on increasing responsibilities within the field", according to the magazine. Taylor Swift is the most awarded woman of the event, with three awards (two Woman of the Year awards and the Woman of the Decade award). Women in music include women as composers, songwriters, instrumental performers, singers, conductors, music scholars, music educators, music critics/music journalists, and in other musical professions. A songwriter is an individual who writes the lyrics, melodies and chord progressions for songs, typically for a popular music genre such as pop, rock, or country music. A songwriter can also be called a composer, although the latter term tends to be mainly used for individuals from the classical music genre.

Woman of the Decade Award

Taylor Swift was honored with the first-ever Woman of the Decade Award, for being "one of the most accomplished musical artists of all time over the course of the 2010s".

2010s: Taylor Swift (2019)

Woman of the Year Award

In 2007, Reba McEntire was honored with Billboard's first Woman of the Year Award because of "her success as a recording artist, contributions to the business, and leadership in embracing the changing music business." Every year since then, Billboard has honored a female artist with the award. Taylor Swift is the first and only woman to be honored more than once. Cardi B became the first rapper to receive the accolade. The most recent winner is Karol G who became the first Latin artist to win this award.

2007: Reba McEntire
2008: Ciara
2009: Beyoncé
2010: Fergie
2011: Taylor Swift
2012: Katy Perry
2013: Pink
2014: Taylor Swift
2015: Lady Gaga
2016: Madonna
2017: Selena Gomez
2018: Ariana Grande
2019: Billie Eilish
2020: Cardi B
2022: Olivia Rodrigo
2023: SZA
2024: Karol G

Rising Star Award

In 2008, Colbie Caillat was honored with Billboard's first Rising Star award because of "her ascent in the pop charts and the repercussion that her music caused." Every year since then, Billboard has honored a female artist with the award.

Triple Threat Award

In 2010, Lea Michele was honored with Billboard's First-Ever Triple Threat Award because of her "excellence in performance across acting, singing and dancing."

2010: Lea Michele

Rulebreaker Award

The Rulebreaker Award recognizes female artists who use their music and platform to defy traditional industry expectations and advance a powerful message for young people. Demi Lovato was the first to be honored with the award in 2015.

2015: Demi Lovato
2016: Alessia Cara
2017: Kehlani
2018: SZA
2022: Karol G
2023: Lainey Wilson

Trailblazer Award

The Trailblazer award is awarded to a female artist who acts as a music industry pioneer by using her platform to spotlight unheard voices and break ground for future generations of performers. Hayley Williams was the first to be honored for the award in 2014.

Group of the Year

2015: Fifth Harmony
2024: NewJeans

Chart-Topper Award

Icon Award

The Icon Award is given to a female artist of extraordinary accomplishment, who has made historic contributions to the industry and artistry.

Impact Award

The Impact Award was given for the first time to Solange Knowles because she "uses her voice to empower and develop new leaders of tomorrow through their on-air persona, platform, and philanthropic efforts to inspire social change across the masses".

2017: Solange Knowles
2019: Alicia Keys
2020: Jessie Reyez
2021: H.E.R.
2023: Becky G
2024: Young Miko

Legend Award

2015: Loretta Lynn

Breakthrough Artist

2014: Idina Menzel
2015: Tori Kelly
2016: Maren Morris
2017: Camila Cabello
2023: TWICE
2024: Tems

Hitmaker Award

The Hitmaker Award is given to the songwriter whose compositions have significantly impacted culture.

2014: Charli XCX
2020: Dolly Parton
2024: Ice Spice

Innovator Award

The Innovator Award recognizes female artists who challenge musical convention, create positive change and contribute new ideas both in and outside of their creative work.

2015: Missy Elliott
2018: Kacey Musgraves

Powerhouse Award

The Powerhouse Award is given to the act whose music dominated in their respected year through streaming, sales, and radio.

2014: Jessie J
2015: Brittany Howard
2016: Andra Day
2017: Kelly Clarkson
2019: Megan Thee Stallion
2020: Dua Lipa
2022: Doja Cat
2023: Latto
2024: Charli XCX

Game Changer Award

The Game Changer Award was given for the first time to Nicki Minaj after becoming the first woman to notch 100 appearances on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

2019: Nicki Minaj
2022: Saweetie

Visionary Award

Lana Del Rey was awarded with the first visionary award in Billboard's history.

2023: Lana Del Rey
2024: Maren Morris

Global Force Award

The Global Force award was given for the first time to Annalisa, Luísa Sonza and Sarah Geronimo in 2024.

2024: Annalisa, Luísa Sonza, Sarah Geronimo

Executives of the Year

2015: Emma Banks, Carol Kinzel, Marlene Tsuchii, Sara Newkirk Simon, Samantha Kirby Yoh, Natalia Nastaskin, Marsha Vlasic, Caroline Yim, Marcie Allen, Jennifer Breithaupt, Debra Curtis, Sara Clemens, Tamara Hrivnak, Vivien Lewis, Heather Moosnick, Katie Schlosser, Monica Escobedo, Julie Gurovitsch, Lindsay Shookus, Debra Lee, Sarah Moll, Brittany Schreiber, Dawn Soler, Lia Vollack, Lori Badgett, Martha Henderson, Julie Boos, Mary Ann McCready, Michele Anthony, Candace Berry, Maria Fernandez, Wendy Goldstein, Julie Greenwald, Ethiopia Habtemariam, Allison Jones, Michelle Jubelirer, Cindy Mabe, Sylvia Rhone, Brenda Romano, Jacqueline Saturn, Julie Swidler, Dana DuFine, Maureen Ford, Amy Howe, Ali Harnell, Debra Rathwell, Kathy Willard, Lee Ann Callahan-Longo, Allison Kaye, Sarah Stennett, Ty Stiklorius, Elizabeth Matthews, Ann Sweeney, Kelli Turner, Jody Gerson, Jennifer Knoepfle, Carianne Marshall, Sas Metcalfe, Katie Vinten, Jess Besack, Sharon Dastur, Anya Grundmann
2016: Bozoma Saint John, Julie Greenwald, Camille Hackney
2017: Julie Greenwald
2018: Danielle Aguirre, Jacqueline Charlesworth, Susan Genco, and Dina LaPolt
2019: Desiree Perez
2020: Brianna Agyemang & Jamila Thomas
2021: Golnar Khosrowshahi

Women of the Year in Music

2018 Women of the Year in Music

Latrice Burnett, Jennifer Hirsch-Davis - Island Records, Nicki Farag - Def Jam Records, Lori Feldman, Hildi Snodgrass - Warner Bros. Records, Maria Fernandez - Sony Music Latin, Andrea Ganis, Camille Hackney, Julliette Jones - Atlantic Records, Wendy Goldstein, Sharon Dastur, Katina Bynum, Kerri Mackar - Republic Records, Ethiopia Habtemariam - Motown Records, Allison Jones - Big Machine Label Group, Celine Joshua, Jennifer Baltimore, Elsa Yep - Universal Music Group, Michelle Jubelirer - Capitol Music Group, Sasha Junk - Kidz Bop, Cris Lacy, Taylor Lindsey - Warner Music Nashville, Cindy Mabe - Universal Music Nashville, Jennifer Mallory - Columbia Records, Sylvia Rhone, Traci Adams - Epic Records, Brenda Romano, Annie Lee, Nicole Wyskoarko, Erika Savage - Interscope Geffen A&M, Julie Swidler, Deirdre McDonald, Jennifer Fowler - Sony Music Entertainment, Carolyn Williams, Camille Yorrick - RCA Records, Desiree Perez - Roc Nation, Dia Simms - Combs Enterprises, Sarah Stennett - First Access Entertainment, Ama Walton - BMG, Dana DuFine, Debra Rathwell, Brooke Michael Kain - AEG, Amy Howe - Ticketmaster North America, Kate McMahon, Sara Winter-Banks - Messina Touring Group, Kathy Willard, Heather Parry, Maureen Ford, Tara Traub - Live Nation Entertainment, Emma Banks, Marlene Tsuchii, Carole Kinzel, Caroline Yim - Creative Artists Agency, Natalia Nastaskin, Cheryl Paglierani - United Talent Agency, Yves C. Pierre, Jacqueline Reynolds-Drumm - ICM Partners

Producer of the Year

Rosalía was honored with the first ever Producer of the Year award in 2023.

2023: Rosalía
2024: PinkPantheress

Notes

References