State Champ Radio Music
Page: 499
Ringo Starr has long loved country music as evidenced on his most recent album, Look Up, released in January.
The Beatles drummer brought that love to life with two concerts taped at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Jan. 14-15 that CBS and Paramount+ will air tonight (March 10) as Ringo & Friends at the Ryman.
In this exclusive clip, Starr, with a little help from friends like Jack White, performs the Carl Perkins rockabilly classic “Matchbox,” which the Beatles covered on their 1964 EP, “Long Tall Sally.”
Other “friends” in the special include Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Mickey Guyton, Jamey Johnson, Rodney Crowell, the War and Treaty, and Billy Strings and Molly Tuttle, both of whom appear on the album with Starr. The artists join the drummer for selections from the new album, Starr’s solo hits and Beatles classics.
Trending on Billboard
“I did love country music before I was in [the Beatles],” Starr told Billboard earlier this year. “We got plenty of it in Liverpool, because the lads who were in the merchant navy would bring not only rock and roll over, but country — and when country bands went on tour in England, they always played Liverpool.”
In addition to the performances, luminaries including Dolly Parton and fellow Beatle Paul McCartney share stories on Starr’s impact on their music.
Gunpowder & Sky’s Van Toffler produced the special with Starr and T Bone Burnett, who also produced Look Up.
“Producing Ringo & Friends at the Ryman with T Bone has been another wild ride — some of music’s finest playing the hell out of Ringo’s songs, including a few Beatles classics,” Toffler tells Billboard. “We handpicked a lineup of artists who not only have deep respect for Ringo’s legacy but could also bring their own unique spin to these songs, highlighting the great stories and messages behind them. Watching them reinterpret his music — whether through full-throttle rock energy or a stripped-down, soulful take — was a testament to just how timeless his songs are. And having Dolly, Lainey Wilson, and his fellow Beatle, Paul, talk about his love of country artists brought it all full circle, making the night even more meaningful.”
Working with Burnett enhanced the production, Toffler says. “T Bone is one of the greats: His encyclopedic knowledge of music and deep roots in so many legendary projects helped shape this into something truly special.”
Other Gunpower & Sky productions include its documentary on Crow, Sheryl (Showtime); the history of soft rock Sometimes When We Touch (Paramount+) and Lil Peep: Everybody’s Everything. Its Words + Music audio series features Beck, Eddie Vedder, Smokey Robinson and others, while new audio series Lighters in the Sky highlights the stories behind the greatest live performances from artists including Amy Winehouse, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin.
The Academy of Country Music has announced ACM Radio Awards nominees for the 60th ACM Awards, including double nominations for KCLR-FM in Columbia, Mo.; WHKO-FM in Dayton, Ohio; WIVK-FM in Knoxville, Tenn.; WQDR-FM in Raleigh, N.C.; WSIX-FM in Nashville; WUSN-FM in Chicago; WUSY-FM in Chattanooga, Tenn.; and WYCT-FM in Pensacola, Fla.
Winners of the ACM Radio Awards will be announced ahead of the 60th ACM Awards and celebrated during ACM Awards week.
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards will be held on Thursday, May 8 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Tex., and stream live on Prime Video. Reba McEntire will once again host the show. This will mark the 18th time McEntire has hosted or co-hosted the ACM Awards, placing her just one show behind Bob Hope as the most frequent host of any major awards show. Hope hosted or co-hosted the Oscars 19 times between 1940 and 1978. McEntire first co-hosted the ACM Awards in 1986 (alongside Mac Davis and John Schneider), and first served as solo host in 2002.
Trending on Billboard
Tickets are available to purchase at ACMawards.com. ACM members and those who work in the country music industry can email ticketing@acmcountry.com for direct access to ACM Awards tickets.
The full list of 60th ACM Awards nominations will be announced in the coming weeks, as will performers, presenters and detailed plans for ACM Awards week events taking place around the Dallas area.
The 60th ACM Awards marks a return to Frisco, Tex., for the third consecutive year. Ford Center at The Star in Frisco opened in 2016 and serves as the practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys, as well as the home for many major sporting events throughout the year.
The 2024 show, also hosted by McEntire, was a two-hour concert event that streamed live globally on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.
The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor is executive producer and showrunner. Kapoor was one of three executive producers of the 2025 Grammy Awards on Feb. 2 (along with Jesse Collins and Ben Winston) and one of two executive producers of the 2025 Oscars on March 2 (along with Katy Mullen). Kapoor has received eight Primetime Emmy nominations, winning in 2022 as an executive producer of Adele: One Night Only, which was voted outstanding variety special (pre-recorded).
Patrick Menton serves as co-executive producer of the ACM Awards. Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP, and Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the ACM. John Saade will serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Here’s a complete list of the 60th ACM Radio Awards nominees:
National Daily On-Air Personality of the Year
Ashley Till, Y2Kountry with Ashley Till
Big D, Bubba, Big D & Bubba
Buzz Brainard, Nick Ultra, The Music Row Happy Hour with Buzz Brainard
Cody Alan, Highway Mornings with Cody Alan
Patrick Thomas, PickleJar Up All Night
National Weekly On-Air Personality of the Year
Kelleigh Bannen, Today’s Country Radio
Lorianne Crook, Charlie Chase, Crook & Chase Countdown
Steve Harmon, Country Gold with Steve Harmon
Wayne D, Tay Hamilton, iHeartCountry House Party
Whitney Allen, The Big Time Saturday Night
On-Air Personality of the Year – Major Market
The Lo Show – Lo Sessions, KKBQ-FM, Houston
The Morning Wolfpack with Matt McAllister – Matt McAllister, Gabe Mercer, “Captain Ron” Koons, KKWF-FM, Seattle
John and Tammy: San Diego’s Morning Show, John Flint, Tammy Lee, KSON-FM, San Diego
The Scotty Kay Show – Scotty Kay, WUSN-FM, Chicago
Josh, Rachael and Grunwald in the Morning – Josh Holleman, Rachael Hunter, Steve Grunwald, WYCD-FM, Detroit
On-Air Personality of the Year – Large Market
Heather Froglear – Heather Froglear, KFRG-FM, Riverside, Calif.
Deb & Matt in the Morning – Deborah Honeycutt, Matt Malone, WFMS-FM, Indianapolis
Wayne D and Tay – Wayne D, Tay Hamilton, WSIX-FM, Nashville
The Big Dave Show – Big Dave, Stattman, WUBE-FM, Cincinnati
The Q Morning Crew with Mike and Amanda – Amanda Daughtry, Mike Wheless, WQDR-FM, Raleigh, N.C.
On-Air Personality of the Year – Medium Market
The Bee Morning Coffee Club – TJ Sharp, Bo Jaxon, Hope Breen, WBEE-FM, Rochester, N.Y.
New Country Mornings with Nancy and Woody – Nancy Wilson, Aaron Woods, WHKO-FM, Dayton, Ohio
Joey & Nancy – Joey Tack, Nancy Barger, WIVK-FM, Knoxville, Tenn.
Julie and DJ in the Morning – Julie Kansy, Dale Sellers, WPCV-FM, Lakeland, Fla.
Mo & StyckMan – Mo, StyckMan, WUSY-FM, Chattanooga, Tenn.
On-Air Personality of the Year – Small Market
Hilley & Hart – Kevin Hilley, Erin Hart, KATI-FM, Jefferson City, Mo.
Liz & Scotty in the Morning – Liz DelGrosso, Scotty Cox, KCLR-FM, Columbia, Mo.
Ben & Arnie – Ben Butler, Arnie Andrews, WCOW-FM, Sparta, Wisc.
The Dr. Shane and Tess Show – Dr. Shane, Tess, WPAP-FM, Panama City, Fla.
The Cat Pak Morning Show – Brent Lane, Mel McCrae, WYCT-FM, Pensacola, Fla.
Radio Station of the Year – Major Market
KSCS-FM, Dallas-Fort Worth
KYGO-FM, Denver
WMZQ-FM, Washington, D.C.
WPOC-FM, Baltimore
WUSN-FM, Chicago
Radio Station of the Year – Large Market
KNCI-FM, Sacramento, Calif.
WDSY-FM, Pittsburgh, Pa.
WGH-FM, Virginia Beach, Va.
WQDR-FM, Raleigh, N.C.
WSIX-FM, Nashville
WWKA-FM, Orlando
Radio Station of the Year – Medium Market
KUZZ-FM, Bakersfield, Calif.
KXKT-FM, Omaha, Neb.
WHKO-FM, Dayton, Ohio
WIRK-FM, West Palm Beach, Fla.
WIVK-FM, Knoxville, Tenn.
WLFP-FM, Memphis, Tenn.
WUSY-FM Chattanooga, Tenn.
Radio Station of the Year – Small Market
KCLR-FM, Columbia, Mo.
KFGE-FM, Lincoln, Neb.
WKML-FM, Fayetteville, N.C.
WXBQ-FM, Bristol, Va.
WYCT-FM, Pensacola, Fla.
The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corporation. PMC is also the parent company of Billboard.
Rick Springfield recently found out that a bad fall he took in 2000 resulted in brain damage. The 75-year-old “Jessie’s Girl” singer revealed to People magazine that after getting a whole-body MRI scan he was told that he still has lasting brain damage from an on-stage tumble during a Las Vegas show 25 years ago.
“I fell 25 feet, hit my head and then wood came down and hit my head, and then my head hit the stage again,” Springfield said of the nasty fall. “I thought I had just broken my wrist, but on the scan I found out I have some brain damage from the fall, so I’m working on trying to repair that.” Unlike most people, who Springfield said “don’t want to know what’s wrong with them,” the singer and former soap opera star said he’s the “opposite.”
And with good reason.
Trending on Billboard
One of the them is because Springfield is very attuned to what is going on with his body after his father “died from now wanting to know.” According to the singer, his dad believed he had stomach cancer for years, but never got it checked out. “When he finally collapsed one day at home, they found out it was an ulcer that burst, and he died from the loss of blood. It could have been fixed if he had gotten it checked out,” Springfield said, calling the incident a “giant message” for him.
“If you want to live long, you have to be prepared for some bad news now and then,” he said. “I could find out I have terminal cancer tomorrow and be dead in a year, but I can only do all I can do.”
Despite being halfway through his seventh decade, the singer said he’s still feeling like he’s in his 20s in his head thanks to daily exercise, a mostly pescatarian diet and the dialing back of his alcohol intake a few years ago, which has also had a positive impact on his lifelong battle with depression.
One adage about aging Springfield said he does not abide by is that “bulls–t” about how “wisdom comes with age… Wisdom comes with digging and looking at yourself,” he said. “It doesn’t automatically come.”
Springfield released his Big Hits: Rick Springfield’s Greatest Hits, Volume 2 in December, which features the Foo Fighters team-up “The Man That Never Was,” as well as “I’ll Make You Happy,” “What’s Victoria’s Secret?,” “Wide Awake,” “Our Ship’s Sinking,” “Light This Party Up” and many more. He’s also slated to hit the road on the I Want My 80s Tour this summer alongside such fellow 1980s stars as John Waite, Wang Chung, Paul Young and John Cafferty.
The forecast for Ariana Grande fans is looking especially bright this week, with the pop superstar finally announcing her highly anticipated Eternal Sunshine deluxe edition. The two-time Grammy winner shared the news Monday (March 10) with a post on Instagram, sharing the cover art — a zoomed-out photo of Grande levitating in a white dress, […]
Baylee Littrell proved that talent definitely doesn’t skip a generation. The 22-year-old did not shy away from his famous father on Sunday night (March 9) during his audition on American Idol‘s season 23 premiere. “There’s something about you that looks familiar,” new judge and former champ Carrie Underwood told the handsome Georgia singer who definitely has his dad’s smile.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Rather than tamp down the connection, the video package introducing Baylee leaned hard into his “nepo baby” status, beginning with a throwback video of the singer as a toddler on stage with his dad, Backstreet Boys legend Brian Littrell, who announces, “this is the new generation of Backstreet Boys.”
“And you look like your dad!” Underwood said, as fellow judge Luke Bryan apologized, “You must forgive me, I didn’t have your dad’s posters in my room.” In a montage of some of his dad’s biggest moments, Baylee said he definitely got his voice from his father. “I guess you could say music runs in our family,” he said while pulling off a clunky spin and admitting, “dance moves-wise that is the one thing genetically that did not pass down.”
Trending on Billboard
And if you think it would be intimidating to give music a shot when your pops is one of the biggest boy band stars of all time, Baylee agreed. “Following in my dad’s footsteps is scary,” Baylee said. “Because his career to me is one of the most extraordinary in music history.” In one of the most touching moments, Baylee recalled the time when he was eight or nine and he got to open up for the BSB at a huge arena show and play his “two little songs.”
Ramping up the emotion, Brian Littrell said he’s always told everyone that his son is “ten times more talented” that he is, something Baylee proved when he sang an “emotional” original about wanting to give up called “Waiting on Myself to Die.” When Baylee began strumming his acoustic guitar and crooning the song’s turbulent lyrics — “I don’t know what to do anymore/ I seem to be by all alone this war” — the judges leaned forward in rapt attention.
“You’re really good,” Underwood said. “Like, you’re really good. I loved the song,” she added about the risk of playing an original while telling Baylee that she thinks he can go “very, very far” in the competition. Proud papa Brian was near tears after the performance, bragging that he also thinks his son could go far in the family business. “We’re super proud. He’s obviously grown up in the business and He’s cut out for it,” Brian said.
Bryan asked if father and son ever sing together, which got Brian out on the audition stage to harmonize on the original’s chorus with Baylee. “I’m very happy for you and very proud of your son,” said judge Lionel Richie. “He’s got his own lane and I think you can go a long way. Very happy for you.”
Baylee, of course, made it through to Hollywood, leading to waterworks for both him and his dad.
And, for the record, this isn’t his first rodeo. Baylee has released a number of single to date, including the emotional single “Boxes” in 2019, whose video featured father and son together. The song was the follow up to Baylee’s debut track, “Don’t Knock It,” which the then-rising country singer got to work out when he hit the road with Backstreet for their DNA world tour.
Watch Baylee Littrell’s audition below.
https://twitter.com/RyanSeacrest/status/1898932080228315448
After being nominated for inclusion in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — a historic first for a Spanish-language act — and after successfully touring Latin America and Spain, Mexican rock band Maná will tour the U.S. and Canada this fall, Billboard can announce.
The “Vivir Sin Aire” tour, so titled after the iconic song of the same name from 1992, will play more than 30 dates, extending through early 2026. The tour kicks off September 5 with back to back shows at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. The band will play a total of 21 cities, including first-ever performances in Nashville, St. Louis, Baltimore, Montreal and Detroit, as well as multiple shows in Chicago, Dallas, Phoneix, San Jose and Miami.
As part of the tour, Maná will play four dates at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, with the shows doubling as part of their residency at the venue. With the completion of these four shows, Maná will break the record for most arena shows in the Los Angeles area, according to tour promoter Live Nation. The Mexican rockers will have performed a remarkable total of 44 arena concerts, two more than Bruce Springsteen, who holds the record with 42 arena shows.
Trending on Billboard
A portion of proceeds from the tour will go toward establishing the “Latin Luchonas” (Fighting Latinas) program, created in honor of Rosario Sierra, the late mother of vocalist Fher Olvera. Sierra raised Olvera and his sisters as a single mom after his father died when he was still a child (Olvera has memorialized both parents in different songs). The program, created in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, will “empower Latina women entrepreneurs through scholarships, mentorship and leadership opportunities,” according to a press release provided to Billboard.
The Vivir Sin Aire Tour is presented by Live Nation and sponsored by Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in San Manuel, Calif., where Maná has twice performed private shows. Tickets will go on sale starting Friday, March 14 at 10 a.m. local time at Mana.com.mx.
Find all tour dates below:
MANÁ – VIVIR SIN AIRE 2025 TOUR DATES
Friday, Sept. 5 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Saturday, Sept. 6 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Thursday, Sept. 11 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Friday, Sept. 19 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Saturday, Sept. 20 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Friday, Sept. 26 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Saturday, Sept. 27 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Friday, Oct. 3 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Friday, Oct. 10 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Saturday, Oct. 11 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Saturday, Nov. 1 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Sunday, Nov. 2 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Friday, Nov. 7 – Phoenix, AZ – PHX Arena
Saturday, Nov. 8 – Phoenix, AZ – PHX Arena
Friday, Nov. 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Saturday, Nov. 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Friday, Nov. 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
LL Cool J is set to host the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, which will air live from Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, March 17 (8-10 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. LL also hosted the show in 2022. He is the first repeat host in the show’s 12-year history.
A wide range of top acts — Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Kenny Chesney, Muni Long and Nelly — are set to perform on the show.
LL hosted the Grammy Awards five years running, from 2012-16. He has also hosted or co-hosted the Soul Train Music Awards (1996-97), the NAACP Image Awards (2007) and the MTV Music Video Awards (2022).
Trending on Billboard
Taylor Swift and Morgan Wallen are the leading contenders for the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, with 10 nods each. They are followed by Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone and Sabrina Carpenter, with nine nods each. All five artists are nominated for artist of the year, as are Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, SZA and Teddy Swims.
Lady Gaga will receive the 2025 iHeartRadio Innovator Award, which is presented to an artist who has impacted both music and global culture throughout their career. Mariah Carey will receive the 2025 iHeartRadio Icon Award. Nelly will receive the 2025 iHeartRadio Landmark Award, honoring artists whose album releases have inspired and shaped culture over multiple decades.
Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour will be named Tour of the Century (despite the fact that we’re only one-quarter of the way through the century). The telecast will air an exclusive performance from the opening night of The Eras Tour, March 17, 2023.
The 12th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards will celebrate the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2024, while also offering a preview of the hits of 2025.
The event also will be heard on iHeartRadio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.
Fan voting will determine this year’s favorite soundtrack, favorite Broadway debut, favorite K-pop dance challenge, favorite surprise guest and favorite tour tradition (all of which are new categories this year), plus these five returning categories: best lyrics, best music video, favorite tour style, favorite tour photographer and favorite on screen. Social voting began on Jan. 22 and will close on March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Fans can vote by visiting iHeartRadio.com/awards.
Additional categories include label of the year and individual winners for album of the year in music’s biggest genres, including pop, country, alternative, rock, dance, hip-hop, R&B, Latin and regional Mexican formats. For a full list of categories, visit iHeartRadio.com/awards.
Executive producers for the iHeartRadio Music Awards are Joel Gallen, for Tenth Planet; and Sykes, Poleman and Bart Peters, for iHeartMedia.
Britney Spears had a lot to say about famous ex Justin Timberlake in her 2024 memoir, The Woman in Me. And over the weekend, she said even more in her favorite medium: dance. In her latest choreo video, Britney slipped into a pair of thigh-high black boots, a brown stetson hat and a patterned thong bodysuit to bust some moves in front of a roaring fireplace to a classic JT tune.
In the video posted with no commentary, Britney swivels her hips, spins around and shakes it around the room to the strains of “Señorita,” the sensual single from Timberlake’s 2002 debut solo album, Justified. At one point, as the jazzy pop ballad plays out, Britney moves over to the fireplace and appears to get dangerously close to the flames as she drops it low in front of the flaming logs.
Trending on Billboard
In her memoir, Spears wrote about having an abortion after an unexpected pregnancy with then-boyfriend Timberlake, saying it was something “I never could have imagined choosing for myself, but given the circumstances, that is what we did.”
Despite the pain from the medication abortion — which she called “excruciating” — Spears said she still had love for married father of two Timberlake. “After that, I was messed up for a while, especially because I still love Justin so much,” she wrote. “It was insane how much I loved him, and for me, it was unfortunate.”
Spears has been on a posting spree over the past couple days, also offering up a dance to Otis Redding’s “These Arms of Mine,” with a lengthy commentary on her recent doings. “After a day phone call, yoga, and watching the sunset at 5 which was literally way more beautiful in person … The phone does no justice !!! Time with self trying to teach self love sometimes that’s the hardest thing to do so I get busy and rode horses and got pissed the f–k off because no matter how hard I kicked with my heels he only listened to his trainer !!!” she wrote.
“Finally actually rode the damn horse and got back realizing evenings are meant for substance as you get older so I confess I want wine !!! My mind is too busy and the two classes I was supposed to teach for once I said f–k it and danced for me !!!,” Spears added. “And I did after being on the beach and saving 7 sea shells that to me felt like silk !!! I’m never hungry here I’m just excited so I walk outside and see the fire pit and I swim and feel like a mermaid and I become one with fire 🔥 once again !!! The dirty night gown !!! I have nice dresses too but do you honestly think I feel anyone is honestly worthy of the real me at this point ??? Just motherf–king saying I’d rather serve cow s–t !!!”
She also posted a throwback pic from early in her career shot by legendary photographer Herb Ritts, as well as another dance video in which she rocks a floor-length red strapless dress and one in which she wears a low-plunging cheetah-print bodysuit as she rocks out to Janet Jackson’s “All Nite (Don’t Stop).”
“I dropped four sizes putting the cheetah on — Haven’t danced in a while !!!,” she wrote. “I burned my bathroom down today, ran like a maniac back to the house because there was a pie in the oven and I’m honestly tired of making sense of things these days !!!”
Doechii is set to receive the 2025 Woman of the Year award at the annual Billboard Women in Music event. The star-studded event is taking place Saturday, March 29, at YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California.
Doechii won the Rising Star award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event. She is just the third woman to progress from the Rising Star award to Woman of the Year, following Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
“After receiving the Billboard Women in Music Rising Star Award in 2023, Doechii has quickly gained recognition in the music industry for her bold creativity and impressive talent,” Hannah Karp, editorial director of Billboard, said in a statement. “With her genre-blending sound, Doechii is redefining what it means to be a trailblazer in the music industry. We are honored to celebrate Doechii and cheer on her continued success!”
Trending on Billboard
Billboard’s Woman of the Year award has become one of the music industry’s highest honors. Past recipients include Karol G, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift.
Doechii is the second rap artist to win the award, following Cardi B in 2020. Doechii, who was born in Tampa, Florida, is the second artist from the Sunshine State to be named Woman of the Year. Grande, the 2018 recipient, was born in Boca Raton.
On Feb. 2, Doechii became the second solo woman to win the Grammy for best rap album, again following the lead of Cardi B. Doechii won for her acclaimed mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal. Her performance of “Denial Is a River” and “Catfish” on the Grammy telecast was rated as the night’s best by Billboard‘s Jason Lipshutz.
Less than three weeks later, Doechii was named outstanding new artist at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards.
Alligator Bites Never Heal has climbed as high as No. 14 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Two of Doechii’s songs have made the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100: “What It Is (Block Boy)” and “Denial Is a River.”
Hosted by Laverne Cox, who received four Primetime Emmy nods for Orange Is the New Black, the event will air live on VIZIO WatchFree+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
The 2025 event will also honor aespa (Group of the Year), Ángela Aguilar (Breakthrough Award), Erykah Badu (Icon Award), GloRilla (Powerhouse Award), Gracie Abrams (Songwriter of the Year), JENNIE (Global Force Award), Megan Moroney (Rulebreaker Award presented by Crown Royal Whisky), Meghan Trainor (Hitmaker Award), Muni Long (Rising Star Award Presented by Honda Stage) and Tyla (Impact Award presented by Bose).
As previously announced, honorees aespa, Aguilar, GloRilla, Abrams, Moroney, Long and Tyla will also perform at the event. Becky G, Julia Michaels, Kali Uchis, Madison Beer, Mickey Guyton, Suki Waterhouse, Summer Walker, Tanner Adell and Zara Larsson are set as presenters. Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
Billboard’s global partners have expanded Women in Music with new events launched around the world. ANNA, named Woman of the Year by Billboard Italy at its inaugural ceremony, and Charlotte Cardin, honored as the latest Woman of the Year by Billboard Canada, will also be celebrated as Global Women of the Year.
VIZIO WatchFree+ will be the exclusive home to the Billboard Women in Music 2025 live channel and on-demand collection from March 17 through April 5, with the live show airing free on March 29 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on VIZIO TVs and in the VIZIO mobile app. The channel and on-demand collection will give viewers an inside look at the inspiring women artists shaping the music industry, featuring interviews, in-studio sessions with artists, episodic series and more.
VIZIO TV owners can watch Billboard Women in Music 2025 and the live event by opening the WatchFree+ app on their TV. For those who do not have a VIZIO TV, anyone can download the free VIZIO mobile app to their mobile device, click on the WatchFree+ button in the bottom row menu, and tune into the Billboard Women in Music 2025 channel.
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster here. Prices start at $89. (Tables are also available to purchase; contact joe.maimone@billboard.com for additional information.)
Sponsors for the 2025 Billboard Women in Music event include Official Whisky Partner Crown Royal, HarbourView Equity Partners, Bose (presenter of the Impact Award), Sol De Janeiro and Honda Stage (presenter of the Rising Star Award).
This event is not affiliated with Women in Music, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing equality, visibility and opportunities for women in the musical arts through education, support, empowerment and recognition. To support the work of Women in Music, visit WomenInMusic.org.
Rihanna celebrated International Women’s Day on Saturday (March 8) by sharing a rare glimpse at the two sons she shares with longtime love A$AP Rocky. The candid pics of RZA, 2 and Riot Rose, 19 months, were taken in the hospital after the singer gave birth to the children, a moment she said was the high-point of her life.
“By far the most powerful thing I’ve ever done as a woman… my little miracles! #InternationalWomensDay,” she wrote in the caption to the post, with the first pic depicting RZA Athelston Mayers laying on his mother’s chest for some crucial skin-to-skin time, with RihRih’s face only partially in the frame, her neck adorned with a pair of gold and pearl necklaces.
In the second snap, Rihanna stares at the camera while rocking pink shades and a black bra as Riot Rose Mayers snuggles up to her in the hospital bed. “And yes I gave birth in pearls and sunglasses,” Rihanna wrote. “Don’t ask, a lot was happening.”
Trending on Billboard
She got support from fellow pop star and mom Katy Perry, wrote commented, “The BEST.”
The singer and rapper have kept their sons out of the public eye for the most part to date, though last month Rihanna opened up to Harper’s Bazaar about being a mom and her boys’ personalities. “Riot, he’s just hilarious,” she said of her second-born. “When he wakes up, he starts to squeal, scream. Not in a crying way. He just wants to sing. And I’m like, ‘Okay, here we go!’ He’s my alarm in the morning! He’s not taking no for an answer from anyone.”
She also revealed that RZA is “just an empath. He’s so magical. He loves music. He loves melody. He loves books. He loves water. Bath time, swimming, pool, beach, anything. And Riot, he’s just hilarious. When he wakes up, he starts to squeal, scream. Not in a crying way. He just wants to sing. And I’m like, ‘Okay, here we go!’ He’s my alarm in the morning! He’s not taking no for an answer from anyone. I don’t know where he came from, dude.”
