Awards
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Grammy Award winners Flume and Rufus Du Sol are among the artists and songwriters scoring multiple nominations for the 2023 APRA Music Awards, set for April 27 at ICC Sydney.
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Also twice nominated for circular trophies are Spacey Jane, King Stingray, Sarah Aarons, Vincent Goodyer, Ruel, M-Phazes, Vance Joy and others, according to APRA, which published its roll call in full on Thursday (March 30).
This year, the most performed international work category will be contested by songs by Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles and Lil Nas X, as well as Adele and GAYLE.
The top prize, the peer-voted song of the year, features works recorded by Daniel Johns (“I Feel Electric”), King Stingray (“Lupa”), Julia Jacklin (“Lydia Wears a Cross”), Flume (“Say Nothing” featuring MAY-A) and the late Archie Roach “One Song”.
Established in 1982, the Australasian Performing Right Association’s annual songwriters’ ceremony is one of the Australian music industry’s most treasured events, a worthy counterpart to Britain’s Ivor Novello Awards.
The special moments in the APRAs program includes the performance of those song of the year nominees, often completely reimagined, by another star from Australia’s scene.
Celia Pacquola, Fred Leone and Henry Wagons are co-hosts on the night, and François Tétaz is musical director.
For more information visit the APRA website.
See the full list of 2023 APRA Awards nominees below.
Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year Title: I Feel ElectricArtist: Daniel JohnsWriters: Daniel Johns / Laura Raia / Maxwell Bidstrup^ / Mark Landon+Publishers: BMG^ / Concord Music Publishing+Title: LupaArtist: King StingrayWriter: Yirrŋa Gotjiringu Yunupingu Publisher: Sony Music PublishingTitle: Lydia Wears a CrossArtist: Julia JacklinWriter: Julia JacklinPublisher: Mushroom MusicTitle: One SongArtist: Archie RoachWriter: Archie Roach Publisher: Mushroom Music Title: Say Nothing (feat. MAY-A)Artist: FlumeWriters: Flume* / Sarah Aarons Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing obo Future Classic* / Sony Music PublishingBreakthrough Songwriter of the Year Writer: 18YOMAN (Vincent Goodyer)Publisher: Universal/MCA Music PublishingWriters: Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu, Caleb Harper, Kieran Lama & Peppa Lane (Spacey Jane)Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing obo Dew ProcessWriter: Budjerah Publisher: Mushroom MusicWriters: Roy Kellaway & Yirrŋa Gotjiringu Yunupingu (King Stingray)Publisher: Sony Music PublishingWriter: Sampa the Great Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Most Performed Australian Work Title: ClarityArtist: Vance JoyWriters: Vance Joy / Joel Little*Publishers: Mushroom Music obo UNIFIED / Sony Music Publishing*Title: Growing Up Is ___Artist: RuelWriters: Ruel Van Dijk / Mark Landon* / Julian Bunetta^Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / Concord Music Publishing* / Mushroom Music obo Hipgnosis^Title: HurtlessArtist: Dean LewisWriters: Dean Lewis / Jon Hume*Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing / Concord Music Publishing*Title: On My KneesArtist: RÜFÜS DU SOLWriters: Jonathon George / James Hunt / Tyrone Lindqvist / Jason Evigan* Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing / Sony Music Publishing*Title: STAYArtist: The Kid LAROI & Justin BieberWriters: The Kid LAROI / Justin Bieber* / Isaac De Boni# / Omer Fedi* / Magnus Hoiberg^ / Michael Mule# / Charlie Puth+ / Subhaan Rahman^ / Blake Slatkin*Publishers: Sony Music Publishing / Universal/MCA Music Publishing* / Warner Chappell Music^ / Kobalt Music Publishing+ / Concord Music Publishing# Most Performed Alternative Work Title: Apple CrumbleArtist: Lime Cordiale and Idris ElbaWriters: Louis Leimbach* / Oli Leimbach* / Dave Hammer^ / Idris Elba*Publishers: Universal Music Publishing* / Kobalt Music Publishing^Title: HurtlessArtist: Dean LewisWriters: Dean Lewis / Jon Hume*Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing / Concord Music Publishing*Title: The Man HimselfArtist: Gang of YouthsWriters: Dominik Borzestowski / Maxwell Dunn / Thomas Hobden / Jung Kim / David Le’aupepe* Publisher: Universal Music Publishing* Title: SuperstarArtist: SyccoWriter: Sasha McLeod pka SyccoPublisher: Sony Music Publishing Title: Touch Back DownArtist: Ocean AlleyWriters: Nicholas Blom / Baden Donegal / Lachlan Galbraith / Mitchell Galbraith / Angus Goodwin / Tom O’BrienPublisher: Warner Chappell MusicTitle: Waste A DayArtist: The RubensWriters: Scott Baldwin / Elliott Margin / Sam Margin / Zaac Margin / William Zeglis Publishers: Mushroom Music obo Ivy League Music Most Performed Blues & Roots Work Title: I BelieveArtist: Ziggy AlbertsWriter: Ziggy AlbertsPublisher: Kobalt Music PublishingTitle: I Want You To KnowArtist: Ash GrunwaldWriters: Ash Grunwald / Fergus JamesPublisher: Mushroom MusicTitle: Livin’ Like KingsArtist: The Black SorrowsWriters: Joe Camilleri / Nicholas Smith*Publishers: Mushroom Music / Jesharo Music*Title: My Heart Is In The Wrong PlaceArtist: Vika & LindaWriter: Ben SalterPublisher: Universal Music PublishingTitle: We Deserve To DreamArtist: Xavier RuddWriter: Xavier RuddPublisher: Sony Music Publishing Most Performed Country Work Title: Get It GirlArtist: Taylor MossWriters: Taylor Moss / Michael Delorenzis* / Michael Paynter* / Alys EdwardsPublisher: Mushroom Music*Title: God Took His Time On YouArtist: Casey BarnesWriters: Casey Barnes / Kaci Brown* / Samuel Gray*Publishers: Mushroom Music / Kobalt Music Publishing*Title: Good BeerArtist: SeaforthWriters: Jordan Dozzi / Thomas Jordan / Mitchell Thompson / Rocky BlockPublisher: Warner Chappell MusicTitle: Love Is RealArtist: Morgan EvansWriters: Morgan Evans / Parker Nohe / Jordan Reynolds Publisher: Warner Chappell MusicTitle: Raised Like ThatArtist: James JohnstonWriter: James JohnstonMost Performed Dance/Electronic Work Title: Heavy Artist: Flight Facilities feat. Your SmithWriters: Hugo Gruzman* / James Lyell* / Jono Ma / Caroline Smith^Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing obo Future Classic* / Concord Music Publishing^Title: Honest (feat. Slayyyter)Artist: Peking DukWriters: Adam Hyde* / Reuben Styles-Richards* / Kristy Lee Peters* / Slayyyter Publisher: BMG*Title: On My KneesArtist: RÜFÜS DU SOLWriters: Jonathon George / James Hunt / Tyrone Lindqvist / Jason Evigan* Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing / Sony Music Publishing*Title: Running AwayArtist: RumorWriters: Mitchell Curley / Len Pearce Title: Say Nothing (feat. MAY-A)Artist: FlumeWriters: Flume* / Sarah Aarons Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing obo Future Classic* / Sony Music PublishingMost Performed Hip Hop / Rap Work Title: LET’S TROT!Artist: Brothers & Joel FletcherWriters: Bassam Ahmad / Issam Ahmad / Joel Fletcher* Publisher: 120 Publishing*Title: Not SoberArtist: The Kid LAROI feat. Polo G & Stunna GambinoWriters: The Kid LAROI* / Khaled Rohaim^ / Stunna Gambino / Polo G* / Subhaan Rahman+Publishers: Sony Music Publishing* / Universal/MCA Music Publishing^ / Warner Chappell+Title: Show BusinessArtist: Hilltop Hoods feat. EamonWriters: Barry Francis (DJ Debris)* / Matthew Lambert (Suffa)* / Daniel Smith (MC Pressure)* / Andrew BurfordPublishers: Sony Music Publishing* / Universal Music Publishing Title: WickedArtist: Say True God?Writer: Nixon JacksonTitle: Wish You WellArtist: Baker Boy feat. Bernard FanningWriters: Baker Boy / Bernard Fanning* / Pip Norman^Publishers: Universal Music Publishing* / Mushroom Music^ Most Performed Pop Work Title: ClarityArtist: Vance JoyWriters: Vance Joy / Joel Little*Publishers: Mushroom Music obo UNIFIED / Sony Music Publishing*Title: Complete Mess Artist: 5 Seconds of SummerWriters: Michael Clifford / Luke Hemmings / Calum Hood / Ashton IrwinPublisher: Sony Music PublishingTitle: Glow Artist: Jessica MauboyWriters: Jessica Mauboy / Jessica Higgs* / Cosmo Liney* / Patrick Liney*Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / Kobalt Music Publishing*Title: Growing Up Is ___Artist: RuelWriters: Ruel Van Dijk / Mark Landon* / Julian Bunetta^Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / Concord Music Publishing* / Mushroom Music obo Hipgnosis^Title: STAYArtist: The Kid LAROI & Justin BieberWriters: The Kid LAROI / Justin Bieber* / Isaac De Boni# / Omer Fedi* / Magnus Hoiberg^ / Michael Mule# / Charlie Puth+ / Subhaan Rahman^ / Blake Slatkin*Publishers: Sony Music Publishing / Universal/MCA Music Publishing* / Warner Chappell Music^ / Kobalt Music Publishing+ / Concord Music Publishing# Most Performed R&B / Soul Work Title: Bang My LineArtist: Cosmo’s Midnight feat. Tkay MaidzaWriters: Cosmo Liney / Patrick Liney / Tkay Maidza / Brett Ramson* Publishers: Kobalt Music Publishing / BMG*Title: SafetyArtist: Becca HatchWriters: Becca Hatch / Hau Latukefu / Jamie Muscat / Willie Tafa / Solo Tohi* Publisher: Sony Music Publishing*Title: Send My LoveArtist: Jordan RakeiWriters: Jordan Rakei* / Imraan Paleker / Jonathan Harvey / Christopher Hyson / James MacraePublisher: Sony Music Publishing*Title: Still DreamArtist: MiieshaWriters: Miiesha* / Lucy Blomkamp* / Stephen Collins Publisher: Sony Music Publishing* Title: Tuesday Artist: KYE feat. Jerome FarahWriters: Kylie Chirunga* / Jerome Farah^ / Jacob Farah^ / Vincent Goodyer+Publishers: Sentric Music Publishing* / Mushroom Music^ / Universal/MCA Music Publishing+ Most Performed Rock Work Title: Around in CirclesArtist: Jimmy BarnesWriters: Jimmy Barnes / Jane Barnes* / Mark Lizotte*Publishers: Sony Music Publishing / Mushroom Music*Title: LunchtimeArtist: Spacey JaneWriters: Ashton Hardman-Le Cornu / Caleb Harper / Kieran Lama / Peppa LanePublishers: Kobalt Music Publishing obo Dew Process Title: MilkumanaArtist: King StingrayWriters: Roy Kellaway / Yirrŋa Gotjiringu Yunupingu Publisher: Sony Music PublishingTitle: Rising SeasArtist: Midnight OilWriter: Jim MoginiePublisher: Sony Music PublishingTitle: Struck By LightningArtist: The ChatsWriters: Matthew Boggis / Joshua Hardy / Eamon SandwithPublisher: Universal Music PublishingMost Performed International Work Title: abcdefuArtist: GAYLEWriters: Taylor Rutherfurd / Sara Davis* / David Pittenger^Publishers: Universal/MCA Music Publishing / Peermusic* / Downtown Music^Title: As It WasArtist: Harry StylesWriters: Harry Styles / Thomas Hull / Tyler Johnson*Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / Concord Music Publishing*Title: Easy On MeArtist: AdeleWriters: Adele / Greg Kurstin*Publishers: Universal Music Publishing / Sony Music Publishing*Title: ShiversArtist: Ed SheeranWriters: Ed Sheeran* / Kal Lavelle* / Steve Mac^ / Johnny McDaid*Publishers: Sony Music Publishing* / Universal Music Publishing^Title: That’s What I WantArtist: Lil Nas XWriters: Lil Nas X / Keegan Bach* / Omer Fedi^ / Blake Slatkin^ / Ryan Tedder+Publishers: Sony Music Publishing / Kobalt Music Publishing* / Universal/MCA Music Publishing^ / Downtown Music+
YouTube global head of music Lyor Cohen is being honored with the City of Hope’s 2023 Spirit of Life Award, the cancer research and treatment organization announced Wednesday (March 29). The award will be presented at a gala dinner Oct. 18 at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.
“City of Hope is proud to honor the notable contributions of Lyor Cohen and celebrate 50 years of philanthropic partnership with the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry group,” said Robert Stone, City of Hope CEO and Helen & Morgan Chu CEO distinguished chair, in a statment. “This collection of industry leaders has made extraordinary contributions to our mission and continues to enhance our ability to deliver tomorrow’s breakthrough innovations today. We look forward to partnering with Lyor and the larger music community in the years ahead to develop new cures and save patient lives.”
Cohen started his career as a road manager for Run-D.M.C. and the Beastie Boys before moving on to executive leadership roles at companies including Def Jam, Warner Music Group and 300 Entertainment, which he co-founded in 2012. Cohen joined YouTube as global head of music in 2016. He sits on the board of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the National Independent Venue Association and is an acting director for the New York-based charity SCAN-Harbor.
“If you have the opportunity to give a gift back to the industry you love, with an organization like City of Hope, whose doctors and scientists’ passion for helping others is so extraordinary, it’s a no-brainer,” said Cohen. “My career has been shaped by a contrarian point of view. Open to making mistakes, making big bets, unpopular decisions and being comfortable with change; that is how culture shifts and how breakthroughs happen. To me, these are many of the same qualities that make City of Hope’s mission to transform the future of cancer care across all communities so impactful. I am honored to join this admirable group of Spirit of Life recipients and look forward to continuing the tradition of leaning on music to bring us together.”
Wednesday’s announcement kicks off a year-long fundraising initiative for City of Hope that includes such events as the Taste of Hope wine dinner and auction on May 17 in New York City, the Music Trivia Bowl on July 20 in Los Angeles and the annual Songs of Hope event.
Evan Lamberg, president of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and president of City of Hope’s Music, Film & Entertainment Industry board, added that the board is “thrilled” to honor Cohen: “In addition to Lyor powering American Hip Hop as a cultural and musical phenomenon, I have known him to have a big heart and passion when it comes to helping others. This is certainly a prime example of that as he now takes an incredible step in helping City of Hope fight cancer, diabetes and HIV.”
Previous recipients of the Spirit of Life Award include Republic Records co-founders Monte and Avery Lipman, Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge, Epic Records chairman/CEO Sylvia Rhone and former Greenberg Traurig attorney Joel Katz.
With two honors, including the coveted song of the year, Thelma Plum was the big winner at the 2023 Queensland Music Awards (QMAs), presented Tuesday (March 28) at Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, Australia.
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The Gamilaraay singer-songwriter won song of the year and the pop category for her single “Backseat of My Mind,” lifted from her 2022 EP Meanjin. With song of the year, Plum gets a permanent place in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley – a plaque on the Walk of Fame.
“Queensland I feel has always been an underdog,” she told the packed house, “but I tell ya, we’re not anymore.”
Meanjin is up for best record at next week’s Rolling Stone Australia Awards, and “Backseat of My Mind” will get another chance to win song of the year, at the 2023 APRA Music Awards on April 27.
Other winners at the 2023 QMAs included Brisbane indie band Ball Park Music (album of the year for Weirder & Weirder) Gold Coast singer-songwriter Amy Shark (highest-selling single for “Sway My Way”), and country artist Adam Brand (highest selling album for All Or Nothing).
Go-Betweens great Lindy Morrison was presented the lifetime achievement award for her advocacy work, social work, activism and musicianship. Morrison, a member of the Go-Betweens from 1980-1989, played drums on six of the iconic band’s albums, and performed vocals on three.
The folk-rock act’s classic song “Cattle and Cane” was recognized by APRA in 2001 as one of the top 30 Australian songs of all time, and Morrison was celebrated in 2014 with the Ted Albert Award, presented during the APRA Music Awards, held that year in Brisbane’s City Hall.
Away from the studio, Morrison helped establish Support Act in 1998, and served with music industry charity as a social worker until 2021. During the pandemic, she led her team to deliver more than A$5 million in relief grants for music workers in crisis.
“I’m so glad I’m receiving this award while I’m still alive. I would have hated to get this award when I’m dead,” she quipped at the top of what would be the evening’s most rousing speech. “Thank-you Queensland. I’m still playing, I’m on the road all the time…I’m recording, I’m going to the U.K. soon, I got into practice rooms, I’m 70 years of age. And I still feel like that young woman.”
Recounting those years with the Go-Betweens and other acts she performed with, “We were devoted to art, and we would do anything as long as it was for art. We marched for black rights, we marched for civil rights. And we marched for the right to march. We played music in the streets for pro-choice.”
The city of Brisbane came out a winner when, during a pre-recorded bit, Qld premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a A$3.8 million investment in the annual Bigsound showcase event and conference.
“We all know how powerful music can be,” she said. “It helps tell our stories, and provides a stage for social change. It helps connect people and shapes our culture. Right now in Queensland, I believe there’s something special happening with our music scene here, and tonight I want everyone in this room to know that our government backs you and backs your industry. I know how important Bigsound has been for the industry over the past 22 years. That’s why I’m pleased to announce $3.8 million in funding over the next four years to make Bigsound even bigger and even better.” The 2023 edition is set for Sept. 5 – 8.
Formerly known as QSong, the QMAs celebrate the state’s “brightest emerging artists and established legends,” with its categories judged by more than 100 music industry professionals.
More than 13,000 songs have been submitted since its inception in 2006. Winners have included Keith Urban, the Veronicas, Kate Miller-Heidke, Bernard Fanning, Sheppard, Violent Soho and many others.
The annual event is organized by trade body QMusic, with Brick Lane, Brisbane City Council and Queensland Government on board as major partners.
2023 Queensland Music Awards – Winners:
MAJOR AWARDS
SONG OF THE YEARPresented by Brick Lane BrewingThelma Plum
ALBUM OF THE YEARPresented by Brisbane City CouncilBall Park Music – ‘Weirder & Weirder’
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDPresented by Grant ThorntonLindy Morrison
SCHOLARSHIPS
2023 GRANT MCLENNAN FELLOWSHIPSahara Beck
2023 BILLY THORPE SCHOLARSHIPNEISH
2023 CAROL LLOYD AWARDPlatonic Sex
CATEGORY AWARDS
BLUES | ROOTS AWARDPresented by Trentham EstateJen Mize & The Rough N’ Tumble – ‘All Riled Up’
CHILDREN’S MUSIC AWARDPresented by The Truss CompanyCheeky Monkey Club – ‘Yes or No – A Song About Consent’
CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL AWARDPresented by Queensland Conservatorium – Griffith UniversityMonique Clare – ‘Downhill Skiing’
COUNTRY AWARDPresented by ABC Radio BrisbaneJames Johnston – ‘COUNTRY BOYS’
ELECTRONIC AWARDPresented by The Prince ConsortSycco – ‘Ripple’
FOLK AWARDPresented by APRA AMCOSYb. – ‘Blackphemy’
HEAVY AWARDPresented by IJSDZ Deathrays – ‘Paranoid’
HIP HOP AWARDPresented by NAFAKhi’leb – ‘Cheques’
INDIGENOUS AWARDPresented by AnactaWilliam Barton – ‘Kalkani’
JAZZ AWARDPresented by Jazz Music InstituteTrichotomy – ‘Forward Motion’
POP AWARDPresented by Star Entertainment GroupThelma Plum – ‘Backseat Of My Mind’
ROCK AWARDPresented by Comiskey GroupWAAX – ‘No Doz’
YOUTH (AGES 10 – 17) AWARDPresented by SAELottie McLeod – ‘Happy Birthday’
SOUL | FUNK | RNB AWARDPresented by The Sound GardenMiiesha – ‘Still Dream’
WORLD AWARDPresented by MEAAIsaac Conomos and Menaka Thomas – ‘Space’
REGIONAL | REGIONAL AWARDPresented by TelstraSahara Beck – ‘Nothing Wrong With That
VIDEO AWARDPresented by Creative ProductionsBen Wrigley – Purple Static by Mirrors
HIGHEST SELLING SINGLEAmy Shark – Sway My Way
HIGHEST SELLING ALBUMAdam Brand – All Or Nothing
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
METRO VENUE OF THE YEARPresented by Oztix and The MusicThe Fortitude Music Hall
REGIONAL VENUE OF THE YEARPresented by Oztix and The MusicSol Bar
FESTIVAL OF THE YEARPresented by Oztix and The MusicCaloundra Music Festival
ACCESSIBLE VENUE OF THE YEARPresented by CPL – Choice, Life, PassionKingston Butter Factory
Taylor Swift had a jovial backstage run-in with none other than Lenny Kravitz on Monday night at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
“The moment Lenny Kravitz and Taylor Swift met backstage,” the official iHeartRadio account wrote on the behind-the-scenes video on TikTok. In the clip, fans can spot Ice Spice shuffling past before Kravitz stops Swift for a chat.
“Taylor! Girl!” he calls out as the pair hug, with the “Lavender Haze” singer telling the host, “You did amazing!”
From there, Kravitz jokes that the superstar just might have pilfered her sequined, hooded look directly from his flamboyant wardrobe. “OK, you went in my closet, huh? You went in my closet,” he quips while Swift volleys back, “Yeah, absolutely. I was just inspired by you, I was like, ‘My favorite color is…’” before the video cuts out.
While Kravitz MC’d the evening’s star-studded ceremony, Swift took home six awards out of her eight total nominations, including song of the year and best lyrics (for “Anti-Hero”), TikTok bop of the year (for fan fave “Bejeweled”), favorite use of a sample (for using her own “Out of the Woods” in Midnights album cut “Question…?”), pop album of the year (for Midnights) and the special honor of this year’s iHeartRadio Innovator Award.
Accepting the latter award, the superstar spoke about her own trial-by-error process of coming up with new ideas. “I never a single time woke up in the morning and said, ‘You know what I’m gonna do today? I’m gonna innovate stuff,’” she said. “What I did do was make the right decisions for me. People want an example of something working before, but I think the coolest ideas, moves and choices are new ones, ones that set a new precedent. I’m so thankful because my fans have backed me up on things like switching genres or re-recording all my old music.”
Watch Swift and Kravitz’s awards show meet-up below.
The Latin American Music Awards unveiled the first wave of performers set to take center stage in April at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Confirmed for the 8th edition of the awards show are Anuel AA, who will perform “Más Rica Que Ayer”; newlyweds Guaynaa and Lele Pons, who will perform a medley that includes their latest collab “Abajito”; Myke Towers, who will perform his newest track “Mi Droga”; and Prince Royce, who will surprise viewers with an unreleased song.
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Additionally, Spanish newcomer Bad Gyal and Regional Mexican crooner Eden Muñoz will make their Latin AMAs debut. The former will deliver her single “Chulo,” and the latter will offer his viral solo hit “Chale!”
Nominations for the 2023 awards — based on streaming, sales, radio airplay, tours, and even social media interactions data provided by Billboard and Luminate during the eligibility period (Feb. 12, 2022, through Feb. 4, 2023) — are led by Bad Bunny with 11 nominations. He’s followed by Becky G and Daddy Yankee, each with nine nominations; at eight nods each are Grupo Frontera, Karol G, Rauw Alejandro, Romeo Santos, and Rosalía. Meanwhile, Muñoz, Bizarrap, Blessd, Grupo Frontera, Los Lara, Luis Figueroa, Luis R Conriquez, Quevedo, Santa Fe Klan and Yahritza y Su Esencia are nominated in the best new artist category.
Carlos Vives and Pepe Aguilar will be recognized as 2023 Latin AMAs Legacy honorees. This year’s ceremony will be co-hosted by Galilea Montijo Julián Gil and Natti Natasha.
For the first time since its debut on Oct. 8, 2015, on Telemundo, the ceremony will be broadcast live simultaneously on Univision, UNIMÁS, and Galavisión (starting at 7 p.m. ET) after TelevisaUnivision acquired the rights from dick clark productions in September.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards took over the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday night (March 27), celebrating the artists we hear most across the airwaves.
Among some of the big winners of the night were P!nk, who accepted the Icon Award, and Taylor Swift, who was presented with the Innovator Award. “The thing about these exciting nights and moments and especially this award, they’re shining a light on the choices I made that worked out, that turned out to be good ideas,” the superstar, who took a break from her massive The Eras tour to accept the award, told the crowd. “I want everyone to know — especially young people — that the hundreds and thousands of dumb ideas that I had led me to my good ideas. You have to give yourself permission to fail. I try as hard as I can not to fail because it’s embarrassing, but I give myself permission to.
“Make the right choices that make sense for you and someone one day might thing you’re innovative.”
We’ve compiled photos from the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards, from the red carpet to backstage and beyond. Check out our gallery below.
PinkPantheress & Ice Spice
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/GI for iHeartRadio
“Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” collaborators PinkPantheress and Ice Spice posed backstage at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Becky G
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Becky G stunned on the red carpet before her Karol G collaboration “MAMIII” won Latin pop/reggaeton song of the year.
H.E.R.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
H.E.R. wore an eye-popping blue suit as she graced the red carpet.
Todrick Hall
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Todrick Hall brought the funk with a snow leopard-lined blazer on the iHeartRadio Music Awards red carpet.
Grupo Firme
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Grupo Firme were all smiles on the red carpet.
P!nk
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Icon Award recipient P!nk looked angelic in a flowing white gown and sleek blazer.
Phoebe Bridgers & Taylor Swift
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/GI for iHeartRadio
Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift shared a photo backstage before the “I Know the End” singer presented Swift with the Innovator Award.
Ice Spice
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Ice Spice was cool as, well, ice as she rocked a black and white mini dress on the red carpet.
Big Time Rush
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Kendall Schmidt, Logan Henderson and James Maslow of Big Time Rush rocked big grins and sunglasses upon joining the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Phoebe Bridgers
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Phoebe Bridgers paired her satin dress with a vampy black lip, bringing the ultimate cool girl energy.
Lenny Kravitz
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
The evening’s host Lenny Kravitz elevated the simple black suit look with shiny wide-leg pants and an asymmetrical blazer.
Nicole Scherzinger
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Nicole Scherzinger glowed in a strapless pink gown, which she paired with a matching eyeshadow look and sleek straight hair.
Cole Swindell
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Cole Swindell added to his all-black look with a satin varsity jacket and a black baseball cap.
Heidi Klum
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Heidi Klum turned heads with her sequined, cut-out blue gown, which she completed with a mermaid-inspired “wet” hair look.
Latto
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Latto brought the “Big Energy” to the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards ina sultry red leather dress and voluminous curls.
Benson Boone
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Benson Boone paired his tailored white pants with an ethereal, see-through floral shirt. He added to the spring vibes with a pair of white sunglasses.
TLC
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas and Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins of TLC both wore unique takes on a black pantsuit as they walked the red carpet together.
Bebe Rexha
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Bebe Rexha gave old Hollywood glamour with her velvet off-the-shoulder gown and blonde updo.
Doja Cat
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Doja Cat dominated the red carpet in black leather trousers and a clean white tee, topped with a floor length faux fur coast and sunglasses.
Madison Beer
Image Credit: Christopher Polk
Madison Beer shined bright like a diamond ina sparkling mini-dress, complete with silver stilletos and hoop earrings.
The tribute concert for the Gershwin Prize, designated each year by the Library of Congress to fete an artist’s lifetime contribution to popular music, is by its very nature a love fest. The fact that this year’s event ratcheted up the heartstrings even more than usual is a testament to its 2023 honoree, Joni Mitchell.
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The show, which took place earlier this month in Washington, D.C., and airs Friday (March 31) on PBS, brought out a cavalcade of well-wishers, musical talent and friends. That included Brandi Carlile (who, besides performing, acted as an intermittent MC), James Taylor, Annie Lennox, Cyndi Lauper, Marcus Mumford, Graham Nash, Angélique Kidjo, Ledisi, Diana Krall and Herbie Hancock.
Mitchell, 79, was an obvious choice for this year’s Gershwin. She’s received a host of recent accolades since she made a remarkable recovery after suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015 that left her hospitalized. She received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2021, was celebrated as MusiCares’ 2022 Person of the Year and received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music the same year.
Seated front and center in DAR Constitution Hall, which added rows of chairs in front of the stage to accommodate a full house of invitation-only fans and Capitol Hill luminaries, Mitchell swayed and smiled throughout the night, clearly relishing the celebration.
Carlile, who performed her professed favorite Mitchell song, the title track from her 2007 album Shine, sprinkled in stories of spending time with Mitchell during her convalescence and Mitchell’s triumphant return to the Newport Folk Festival last year, where she performed 13 songs.
“The songs of Joni Mitchell, like the woman, speak to innocence and experience, success and failure, overcoming odds, falling short,” Carlile told the crowd. “[Last summer] she showed the world that it was not done with Joni Mitchell, and she showed the world that she was not done with us. All of us on stage here tonight just couldn’t let anything pass without recognition of Joni’s courage, her determination, her spirit, will and grit.”
The performances were strong across the board, all delivered with reverence on a stage that was adorned with images of some of Mitchell’s paintings. And the band comprised musicians who are longtime collaborators and friends of Mitchell, including music director Greg Phillinganes.
Mumford got things started with “Carey,” from Mitchell’s cherished 1971 album Blue. Lennox soared with power and passion on the timeless “Both Sides Now.” Kidjo got creative with her time in the spotlight: while performing Mitchell’s Billboard Adult Contemporary No. 1 “Help Me,” she hopped off the stage and delivered a portion of the song directly to Mitchell, who obliged by dancing along in her seat.
Describing her contribution “Big Yellow Taxi,” Ledisi said Mitchell wanted listeners to understand the importance of maintaining the balance of the natural world, “but she did it in an almost subversive way, wrapping the message in a universally easy-to-sing chorus that sneaks up on you and then hits you in the face with the importance of taking action.”
Nash, who shared a long-resonating love affair with Mitchell between 1968-70, recalled meeting her in 1967. “She took me to her room and played me probably over a dozen of the most incredible songs I’ve ever heard in my life,” he said, before launching into “A Case of You,” which was highlighted by photos of the two in their younger years.
Lauper gave a lilting performance of title track to Blue, though she immediately had to do a second take when Ken Ehrlich of Ken Ehrlich Productions made one of a few mid-show appearances to make sure the event would be ready for its primetime debut. (When Ehrlich came out, halted Taylor’s silky, buttery performance of “California” and asked him to start over, Taylor quipped, “Is this the part where you come in?”)
Excitement was palpable leading to the finale, when a beaming Mitchell rose from her seat and took the stage.
“This is such a great honor; it’s so exciting to see all of these musicians I admire preforming my music. And I wanted to express my gratitude by singing a Gershwin song,” she said, before launching into a jaunty rendition of “Summertime,” which she followed up with her own iconic “The Circle Game,” joined by the cast of performers.
The laureates for the 2023 Polar Music Prize have been revealed. They are Chris Blackwell, who founded Island Records, one of the U.K.’s most successful independent labels; Angélique Kidjo, dubbed “Africa’s premier diva” by Time; and Arvo Pärt, who created the minimalist compositional style known as tintinnabuli, and is one of the most-performed classical composers in the world. All three will be honored in the presence of the Swedish Royal Family at a ceremony and banquet on May 23 at Stockholm’s Grand Hotel.
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The prestigious Polar Music Prize was created by Stig “Stikkan” Anderson, famed Swedish writer/producer/label owner/publisher and manager of ABBA, and first presented in 1992. This year’s laureates, who will all be in attendance, will each receive a cash prize of 600,00 Swedish kronor (approx. $58,000 U.S.).
Blackwell built an impressive roster of artists for Island, including Bob Marley, Cat Stevens, Roxy Music, Steve Winwood, Robert Palmer, Nick Drake, Melissa Etheridge, Tom Waits, Grace Jones, U2 and Marianne Faithfull. Kidjo relocated from her home country of Benin to Paris, where Blackwell heard her sing and signed her to Island. Her life of music and activism was praised by President Bill Clinton, who cited her “passionate call for freedom, dignity, and the rights of people.” Influenced by sacred music, including Gregorian chants, Pärt is known for his laconic, reduced compositions, with his style evolving from neo-classical in his early years to more avant-garde music.
Blackwell has a long history with Sweden, first traveling there in the late 1950s. In 1960, he met with Dag Haeggquist, a beloved figure in the Swedish music industry, who was running the independent Sonet label. “I really liked him,” Blackwell tells Billboard. “So when I was back in Jamaica, I did a record there and thought it sounded okay. I sent it to Dag to see if he might be interested in releasing it, and that’s what happened. It didn’t do well but I worked with Dag for many years after that.”
One of Blackwell’s most memorable times in Sweden was a visit on his 30th birthday in 1967, when he was in Gothenburg, on tour with Traffic. “A few people were smoking what they were not supposed to be smoking and everybody was shocked that I’d never smoked any weed before in my life. ‘You? Coming from Jamaica and you’ve never smoked any weed?’ And I said no. I never had – at that time.”
Kidjo also has many memories of Sweden, though one that stands out is laced with tragedy. “I was on tour and was supposed to play in Stockholm,” Kidjo recalls to Billboard. “The night before, I heard that a discotheque had burned down with all the kids in it.” (On Oct. 29, 1998, an arsonist burned down a discotheque in Gothenburg. There were 63 deaths and 213 people were injured). “I thought, ‘How are we going to do this concert?’ Everybody wanted to cancel, and I said, ‘No. Please, let’s do something. Let’s celebrate the spirit of those kids that are gone. Let’s help heal the wound.’ It was one of the most difficult things that you do as a performer, knowing that the youth [who died] were never going to be there anymore and thinking about the pain of the parents and the loss of the parents. I use music to be the art of healing, building bridges. Music has come to my rescue so many times that I ask myself sometimes, ‘If I was not a singer, how would I live in this world?’”
Kidjo is looking forward to seeing Blackwell for the first time since the pandemic began. “I couldn’t dream of a better person to share this with because he was the one who taught me what it is to be on a major label, to be humble, to keep grounded and focus on the music. The first 10 years of my career brought me to where I am today because Chris won’t lie to you. If it’s not good, Chris is going to tell you. When he would listen to my demos, he would call me right away and say, ‘I like this number and this number, but I didn’t like that.’ And he’s always right.”
The citation that will be read at the ceremony for Blackwell says, in part, “As a record producer and genuine music lover, Chris Blackwell has been one of the key figures in the development of popular music for half a century. When Island Records was founded in Jamaica in 1959, he began his mission to introduce the world to ska and reggae. In folk, rock and disco, he has invested in uncompromising artists and helped them become the best version of themselves. Never focusing on sales figures, but on the songs and albums as works of art, Chris Blackwell has expanded the world and abolished border controls between genres.”
Calling her “unique and unstoppable,” Kidjo’s citation reads, in part, “Angélique grew up in Cotonou, surrounded by the dynamic Beninese culture and listening to music from all over the world: soul, jazz, reggae, Afrobeat, pop, classical. When a communist dictatorship tried to silence her, she moved to Paris and became even more active. Angélique Kidjo invented the word batonga, a response to those who think girls don’t belong in schools, and runs the Batonga Foundation, which seeks out girls and provides them with education. Bono has said of her, ‘In Africa’s new morning, Angélique Kidjo is the warmth of the rising sun.’”
Pärt’s citation says he “has likened his music to white light. It is in the encounter with the prism of the listener’s soul that all colors become visible. Arvo Pärt has created the compositional style tintinnabuli, from the Latin word for ‘bell,’ in which the music moves according to a given structure. In 2006 and 2007, Arvo Pärt dedicated the performances of his works to the murdered Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya and other dissidents in Russia. Arvo Pärt’s courageously beautiful music creates depth in every sense.”
Marie Ledin, managing director of the Polar Music Prize, tells Billboard, “It was so great to be back last year staging the Polar Music Prize after two years away due to COVID. And this year I feel that the committee has again risen to the challenge of choosing three laureates that are so well-deserving. It’s a great privilege for the Polar Music Prize to be able to put these three remarkable talents in the spotlight and hopefully introduce new audiences to their music. I’m looking forward to a wonderful evening of great music at the ceremony in Stockholm on May 23.”
Blackwell, Kidjo and Pärt join a long list of laureates that includes Elton John, Ravi Shankar, Metallica, Ennio Morricone, Led Zeppelin, Renée Fleming, Paul McCartney, Grandmaster Flash, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel, Isaac Stern, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Sonny Rollins, Diane Warren, Gilberto Gil, B.B. King, Emmylou Harris, Yo-Yo Ma, Miriam Makeba, Björk, Wayne Shorter, Patti Smith, Dizzy Gillespie, Iggy Pop, the Kronos Quartet, Youssou N’Dour and Chuck Berry.
Monday night’s (March 27) iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrated the artists we hear most across the airwaves, with Lenny Kravitz hosting and performing.
Taylor Swift collected the Innovator Award and Pink won the Icon Award, but who else took home prizes?
Find the night’s big winners below:
Song of the year“About Damn Time”- LizzoWINNER: “Anti-Hero”- Taylor Swift“As It Was”- Harry Styles“Big Energy”- Latto“Enemy (from the series Arcane League of Legends)”- Imagine Dragons“First Class”- Jack Harlow“Ghost”- Justin Bieber“Heat Waves” – Glass Animals“Industry Baby” – Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow“Woman” – Doja Cat
Artist of the yearBeyoncéDoja CatDrakeDua LipaHarry StylesJack HarlowJustin BieberLizzoTaylor SwiftThe Weeknd
Best duo/group of the yearAJRBlack Eyed PeasBlackpinkGlass AnimalsWINNER: Imagine DragonsMåneskinOneRepublicParmaleeRed Hot Chili PeppersSilk Sonic
Best collaboration“Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)”- Elle King & Miranda Lambert“Cold Heart”- Elton John & Dua Lipa“half of my hometown”- Kelsea Ballerini ft. Kenny Chesney“I Like You (A Happier Song)” – Post Malone ft. Doja Cat“Industry Baby” – Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow“One Right Now”- Post Malone & The Weeknd“Sweetest Pie” – Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa“Unholy” – Sam Smith & Kim Petras“Wait For U” – Future ft. Drake & Tems“You Right” – Doja Cat ft. The Weeknd
Best new pop artistDove CameronGayleWINNER: JaxNicky YoureSteve Lacy
Country song of the year“Buy Dirt” – Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan“half of my hometown” – Kelsea Ballerini ft. Kenny ChesneyWINNER: “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” – Cole Swindell“The Kind of Love We Make” – Luke Combs“Wasted On You” – Morgan Wallen
Country artist of the yearCarrie UnderwoodJason AldeanKane BrownLuke CombsWINNER: Morgan Wallen
Best new country artistBailey ZimmermanWINNER: Cody JohnsonElle KingElvie ShanePriscilla Block
Afrobeats artist of the yearBurna BoyCKayFireboy DMLTemsWizkid
Hip-hop song of the year“F.N.F. (Let’s Go)”- Hitkidd & GloRilla“First Class” – Jack Harlow“Girls Want Girls” – Drake ft. Lil Baby“Super Gremlin”- Kodak Black“Wait For U” – Future ft. Drake & Tems
Hip-hop artist of the yearDrakeFutureKodak BlackLil BabyMoneybagg Yo
Best new hip-hop artistB-LoveeGloRillaLattoNardo WickSleazyWorld Go
R&B song of the year“Break My Soul” – Beyoncé“Free Mind” – Tems“Hrs And Hrs” – Muni Long“I Hate U”- SZA“Smokin Out The Window” – Silk Sonic
R&B artist of the year BlxstMuni LongSilk SonicSZAYung Bleu
Best new R&B artist BlastBrent FaiyazWINNER: Muni LongSteve LacyTems
Alternative song of the year“Black Summer”- Red Hot Chili Peppers“Edging”- Blink-182“Enemy (from the series Arcane League of Legends)”- Imagine Dragons“Heat Waves”- Glass Animals“Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)”- Kate Bush
Alternative artist of the yearImagine DragonsMåneskinRed Hot Chili Pepperstwenty one pilotsWeezer
Best new artist (alternative & rock)Beach WeatherBoyWithUkeWINNER: Giovannie and the Hired GunsTurnstileWet Leg
Rock song of the year“Black Summer”- Red Hot Chili Peppers“Patient Number 9”- Ozzy Osbourne ft. Jeff Beck“Planet Zero”- Shinedown“So Called Life”- Three Days Grace“Taking Me Back”- Jack White
Rock artist of the yearGhostWINNER: Papa RoachRed Hot Chili PeppersShinedownThree Days Grace
Dance song of the year“Cold Heart”- Elton John & Dua Lipa“Escape”- KX5, Kaskade, Deadmau5 ft. Hayla“Heaven Takes You Home”- Swedish House Mafia & Connie Constance“Hot In It”- Tiësto & Charli XCXWINNER: “I’m Good (Blue)”- David Guetta & Bebe Rexha
Dance artist of the yearWINNER: Anabel EnglundJoel CorrySofi TukkerSwedish House MafiaTiësto
Latin pop/reggaeton song of the year “El Incomprendido” – Farruko/ Víctor Cárdenas/ DJ AdoniWINNER: “MAMIII”- Becky G & Karol G“Me Porto Bonito”- Bad Bunny ft. Chencho Corleone“Moscow Mule” – Bad Bunny“Provenza”- Karol G
Latin pop/reggaeton artist of the year Bad BunnyDaddy YankeeFarrukoKarol GRauw Alejandro
Regional Mexican song of the year “Cada Quien”- Grupo Firme ft. Maluma“Cómo Te Olvido” – La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho“Si Te Pudiera Mentir”- Calibre 50“Ya Solo Eres Mi Ex” – La Adictiva“Ya Supérame”- Grupo Firme
Regional Mexican artist of the yearCalibre 50Christian NodalEl FantasmaWINNER: Grupo FirmeLa Adictiva
Best new Latin artistBlessdKali UchisQuevedoRyan CastroVenesti
Best lyrics (socially voted category)“About Damn Time” – Lizzo“abcdefu” – Gayle“Anti-Hero” – Taylor Swift“Buy Dirt”- Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan“Glimpse Of Us”- Joji“Lift Me Up”- Rihanna “N95” – Kendrick Lamar“pushin P” – Gunna ft. Future, Young Thug“Super Freaky Girl” – Nicki Minaj “Wasted On You” – Morgan Wallen“We Don’t Talk About Bruno”- Lin-Manuel Miranda performed by the Cast of Encanto
Best music video (socially voted category)“Anti-Hero”- Taylor Swift “As It Was” – Harry Styles “Calm Down”- Rema & Selena Gomez“Don’t Be Shy”- Tiësto & Karol G “Don’t You Worry”- Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, David Guetta“Envovler” – Anitta “Left and Right”- Charlie Puth ft. Jung Kook of BTS“Pink Venom”- BLACKPINK “Tití Me Preguntó” – Bad Bunny “Yet To Come” – BTS
Best fan army (socially voted category)“Barbz”- Nicki Minaj “Beliebers”- Justin Bieber “BeyHive” – Beyoncé“Blinks”- Blackpink “BTSArmy”- BTS “Harries” – Harry Styles “Hotties”- Megan Thee Stallion “Louies”- Louis Tomlinson “RihannaNavy”- Rihanna “Rushers”- Big Time Rush “Selenators” – Selena Gomez “Swifties”- Taylor Swift
Social star award (socially voted category)Bailey ZimmermanCharli D’AmelioEm BeiholdGayleGloRillaJVKELauren Spencer-SmithYung Gravy
Favorite tour photographer (socially voted category)Bad Bunny – SiemprericDemi Lovato – Angelo KritikosDua Lipa – Elizabeth MirandaHalsey – YasiWINNER: Harry Styles – Lloyd WakefieldLouis Tomlinson – Joshua HallingLuke Combs – David BergmanMachine Gun Kelly – Sam CahillOlivia Rodrigo – DonslensPost Malone – Adam DeGrosstwenty one pilots – Ashley OsbornYUNGBLUD – Tom Pallant
TikTok bop of the year (socially voted category)“About Damn Time”- Lizzo “As It Was” – Harry Styles“Bad Habit” – Steve Lacy “Bejeweled”- Taylor Swift “Big Energy”- Latto “Cuff It”- Beyoncé“Envolver”- Anitta “Just Wanna Rock” – Lil Uzi Vert “Made You Look”- Meghan Trainor “Super Freaky Girl” – Nicki Minaj “Unholy”- Sam Smith & Kim Petras “World’s Smallest Violin”- AJR
Favorite documentary (socially voted category)Halftime – Jennifer Lopez Life in Pink – Machine Gun Kelly Love, Lizzo– Lizzo Niall Horan’s Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar With Lewis Capaldi – Niall Horan + Lewis Capaldi Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me – Selena Gomez Shania Twain: Not Just a Girl – Shania Twain Sheryl – Sheryl Crow Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby – Lil Baby
Favorite tour style (socially voted category)Bad BunnyCarrie UnderwoodDua LipaElton JohnHarry StylesLady GagaLil Nas XLizzoMachine Gun KellyOlivia RodrigoRosalíaThe Weeknd
Favorite residency (socially voted category)“An Evening with Silk Sonic” – Silk Sonic“Enigma + Jazz & Piano” – Lady Gaga “Let’s Go!” – Shania Twain “Love In Las Vegas”- John Legend “Love On Tour” – Harry Styles “Play”- Katy Perry “Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency” – Carrie Underwood“Usher: My Way – The Las Vegas Residency” – Usher“Weekends with Adele” – Adele
Favorite use of a sample (socially voted category)Beyoncé’s “Summer Renaissance” – sampled Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”Blackpink’s “Pink Venom” – sampled 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P,” Rihanna’s “Pon de Replay,” andBiggie’s “Kick In The Door”Chlöe’s “Treat Me” – sampled Bubba Sparxxx & Ying Yang Twins’ “Ms. New Booty”David Guetta & Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue)” – sampled Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee)”DJ Khaled & Drake’s “Staying Alive” – sampled The Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive”Doja Cat’s “Vegas” – sampled Shonka Dukureh’s “Hound Dog”Jack Harlow’s “First Class” – sampled Fergie’s “Glamorous”Latto’s “Big Energy” – sampled Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy”Lizzo’s “Break Up Twice” – sampled Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)”Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl” – sampled Rick James’ “Super Freak”Taylor Swift’s “Question…?” – sampled Taylor Swift’s “Out of The Woods”Yung Gravy’s “Betty (Get Money)” – sampled Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”
Most Played ArtistWINNER: Doja Cat
Country Album of the YearWINNER: Luke Combs, Growin’ Up
Taylor Swift took a brief break from her blockbuster The Eras Tour on Monday night (March 27), popping by Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater for the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards to accept the Innovator Award.
Phoebe Bridgers presented the award to her “Nothing New” collaborator, explaining how hearing a young Swift singing her own songs on country radio when she was growing up is what inspired her to become an autobiographical songwriter.
“I was listening to country radio one day with my mom and Taylor came on,” Bridgers said. “I heard a girl not much older than me singing a song she had written about her own life and the song was really good. As I grew up, so did Taylor, and so did her songs.
“Taylor has always told the truth,” Bridgers added. “She has always written songs about exactly where she is. I’m grateful to have grown up in a world with Taylor Swift in it. Or ‘The World (Taylor’s Version).’”
Before Swift took the stage, a video montage played of her famous friends and fans — including Selena Gomez (“She can represent what she’s walking through so well”) and Dolly Parton (“We wanna keep you around forever”) — singing Swift’s praises.
“Anyone who is part of that video, that video really blew my mind,” Swift said, before launching into her speech and marveling at being labeled an “Innovator.”
“I never a single time woke up in the morning and said, ‘You know what I’m gonna do today? I’m gonna innovate stuff,’” she said. “What I did do was make the right decisions for me. People want an example of something working before, but I think the coolest ideas, moves and choices are new ones, ones that set a new precedent. I’m so thankful because my fans have backed me up on things like switching genres or re-recording all my old music.
“The thing about these exciting nights and moments and especially this award, they’re shining a light on the choices I made that worked out, that turned out to be good ideas,” she added. “I want everyone to know — especially young people — that the hundreds and thousands of dumb ideas that I had led me to my good ideas. You have to give yourself permission to fail. I try as hard as I can not to fail because it’s embarrassing, but I give myself permission to.
“Make the right choices that make sense for you and someone one day might thing you’re innovative.”
The Eras Tour continues this weekend at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where MUNA and GAYLE will open Friday night and beabadoobee and Gracie Adams open Saturday night. Bridgers will join The Eras Tour as a warm-up act starting with the Nashville dates in May.