State Champ Radio Women in Music
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Judy Collins, Shelly Peiken, Noelle Scaggs and more were honored at the 2023 She Rocks Awards, which were held at The Ranch in Anaheim, Calif. on Thursday (April 13).
The 11th annual event, sponsored by The Women’s International Music Network (the WiMN), honored the accomplishments of a diverse group of women representing all facets of the music industry.
The event kicked off with a set from Toronto-based band The Beaches. The all-woman quartet won their second Juno Award, rock album of the year, last year for Sisters Not Twins (The Professional Lovers Album).
Laura Whitmore, founder of the Women’s International Music Network and She Rocks co-producer, welcomed those in attendance.
The night proceeded with Legend Award honoree Collins, who quoted Mae West in her acceptance speech and lead the audience in an a cappella rendition of her 1971 hit “Amazing Grace.” Collins has a 59-year span of Grammy nominations. She was nominated for best folk recording in 1964 for her third studio album, Judy Collins #3, and was nominated again last year for best folk album for Spellbound, her 55th album. She won a 1968 Grammy for her hit rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”
Dreaming Out Loud honoree Peiken encouraged the crowd “to not be afraid to grow up.” Peiken is a two-time Grammy nominee, for co-writing Meredith Brooks’ 1997 smash “Bitch” and for best spoken word album for Confessions of a Serial Songwriter.
“I’m just finding my time at this point in my career,” Peiken said. “And there are many more adventures ahead. It’s truly an honor to be in the company of giants past, present and future.”
Powerhouse honoree Scaggs of Fitz & the Tantrums spoke of her inspiration for starting the organization Diversify the Stage (DTS). “I wanted young people to feel like they had a place in the industry,” said Scaggs. “It’s incredible to see our community standing up in ways I never got to see growing up; women are in greater positions of power to build new ways of thinking and actions that are truly moving the needle and bringing confidence to young people who may have felt they didn’t have a place here, or that the glass ceiling could never be broken. It’s important that young people see their reflections in this industry, to have people who share their identities, who have a familiar journey, this is what the DTS mission is, ensuring no human will ever feel dis-included in this space, because they see their reflections, in front and behind the scenes.”
Champion Award honoree, Stacey Ryan, COO of the School of Rock, spoke about the work needed to elevate more women into executive positions, and the importance of organizations like the Women’s International Music Network for mentoring young, up-and-coming women in the music industry. Her award acceptance was followed by an all-female School of Rock Band performing En Vogue’s 1992 smash “Free Your Mind.”
The night culminated with a performance from guitarist Gretchen Menn, She Rocks Inspire Award recipient, who led her band in an original song followed by a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s 1972 classic “Rock and Roll” with fellow Zepparella member Holly West on bass and lead vocals helmed by guest Laura Clapp.
Founded in 2012, the Women’s International Music Network unites women who work within all facets of the music and audio industries. The organization produces the She Rocks podcast, the LIVE: Front & Center web series, WiMN She Rocks Spotlight Showcase Series and the She Rocks Awards, and is founded by music industry veteran Laura B. Whitmore. For more information, go here.
Here’s a complete list of 2023 She Rocks Awards honorees:
Legend Award: Judy Collins, singer/songwriter icon; Grammy-winner and two-time Grammy Hall of Fame inductee
Powerhouse Award: Noelle Scaggs, co-frontperson for Fitz and the Tantrums and founder of Diversify the Stage
Dreaming Out Loud Award: Shelly Peiken, Grammy-nominated songwriter
Tone Setter Award: Mary Spender – guitarist, singer, songwriter and YouTube star
Mad Skills Award: Michelle Bell – vp of creative for Roc Nation
Vision Award: Lisa S. Johnson, photographer and author of 108 Rock Star Guitars and Immortal Axes
Groundbreaker Award: Katherine Wing, vp of marketing for Roland, drummer
Champion Award: Stacey Ryan, chief operating officer for School of Rock
Excellence Award: Helen Culleton, chief operating officer for Audiotonix
Inspire Award: Gretchen Menn, guitarist and founding member of Zepparella
Heart and Soul: Brad Tolinski, former Guitar World editor and author
Jennifer Lopez has nothing but praise for Kim Petras, this year’s honoree of the Chartbreaker Award at the 2023 Women in Music event.
Petras took the stage at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday (March 1) to accept the honor. On Saturday, Lopez shared a clip of Petras’ speech at the event with a message of congratulations.
“Congrats @kimpetras !!! You are the moment #WomensHistoryMonth @billboard #WomenInEntertainment,” Lopez tweeted.
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The dance-pop singer-songwriter performed “brrr” at Women in Music before accepting the Chartbreaker Award. Republic co-president Wendy Goldstein, who signed Petras in 2021, hailed the star as the first transgender woman to be honored at the Billboard Women in Music Awards.
“Growing up I would question what rooms I would be put into and what boxes I would be put into — and I’m grateful it’s this one,” Petras said onstage.
“People should be able to decide what to do with their bodies to reach true equality,” she said to applause. “It’s very important.”
See J. Lo’s tweet below.
The 2023 Billboard Women In Music Awards brought big energy to the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday by way of some of the most noteworthy ladies in the game.
From Billboard’s Women in Music executive of the year Sylvia Rhone to Impact Award recipient Becky G, the night brought out the best of the best, all gathered to honor one another’s achievements within the last year.
Throughout the laughter-filled evening, chart-toppers like Latto and SZA received their honors of the night – Powerhouse and Woman of the Year, respectively – while Billboard Women in Music Producer of the Year Rosalía nestled with Lana Del Rey in the audience. Breakthrough Award-winning act TWICE put on a flawless performance for screaming fans, and Latto brought out LU KALA for a sultry performance of their joint single “Lottery.”
While the night was a nonstop celebration onstage, behind the curtains also boasted some awe-inspiring moments. Billboard’s 2023 Icon Ivy Queen held tight onto Bad Bunny as the pair strutted through the backstage area following the Queen receiving her award from Benito, Olivia Rodrigo and Kim Petras fangirled over TWICE, and Doechii popped champagne before striking a pose with her mom.
To capture the memories (and the iconic looks), our honorees, host Quinta Brunson and some dynamite presenters like WondaGurl and Coi Leray struck a pose for a Polaroid camera backstage and signed their names. Check out the photos below.
SZA
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Coi Leray
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Rosalía
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Quinta Brunson
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Latto
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Lainey Wilson
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Kim Petras
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Ivy Queen
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
WondaGurl
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Doechii
Image Credit: Noah Reardon
Backstage at Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on March 1, 2023 in Los Angeles.
Billboard‘s 2023 Women in Music Awards kicked off Women’s History Month on Wednesday evening (March 1) by bringing the best, brightest and baddest bosses in the music industry together.
This year’s extravaganza spread girl power and upbeat energy to every corner of the YouTube Theater at SoFi Stadium, from last year’s Woman of the Year recipient Olivia Rodrigo and this year’s Chartbreaker Award winner Kim Petras uniting with this year’s Breakthrough Award-winning act TWICE backstage to executives like Dina LaPolt, Mary Harrington and Angelique Jones showing off their fabulous pink suits at the cocktail reception.
SZA‘s mother and father watched their daughter and recent Billboard cover star receive the 2023 Woman of the Year honor, and they weren’t the only proud parents in the building. Doechii‘s mother introduced her daughter before giving her the Rising Star Award presented by Honda. Bad Bunny made a surprise appearance to present Ivy Queen with the Icon Award. Other honorees included Impact Award winner Becky G, Rulebreaker Award winner Lainey Wilson, Powerhouse Award Latto, Visionary Award winner Lana Del Rey and Rosalía, who received our inaugural Producer of the Year Award presented by Bose. Epic Records CEO/chairwoman Sylvia Rhone received the 2023 Executive of the Year Award. Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter, Dove Cameron, Chloe Bailey, Coi Leray and Wondagurl were on hand as presenters.
Petras, Wilson, Becky G, Doechii, TWICE and Latto with “Lottery” collaborator LU KALA also took to the stage to perform during this year’s ceremony, which was hosted by Emmy-winning Abbott Elementary actress and writer Quinta Brunson. Check out what was happening inside the 2023 Billboard Women in Music event below.
Olivia Rodrigo & TWICE
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Olivia Rodrigo and TWICE backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Doechii & Chloe Bailey
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Doechii and Chloe Bailey backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Olivia Rodrigo
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Olivia Rodrigo backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Bad Bunny
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Bad Bunny backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Lana Del Rey & Olivia Rodrigo
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Lana Del Rey and Olivia Rodrigo backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Erika Jayne & Dina LaPolt
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Erika Jayne and Dina LaPolt attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Sylvia Rhone
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Sylvia Rhone attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Heidi Klum
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Heidi Klum attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Coi Leray attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Lana Del Rey & Olivia Rodrigo
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Lana Del Rey and Olivia Rodrigo backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Sabrina Carpenter
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Kakul Srivastava & Christina Coleman
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Kakul Srivastava and Christina Coleman attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Sonia Clavell
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Sonia Clavell attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Lu Kala
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Lu Kala attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Sonia Clavell, Ivy Queen & Leila Cobo
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Sonia Clavell, Ivy Queen and Leila Cobo backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Madison McFerrin & Jasmin Penelope Charles
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Madison McFerrin and Jasmin Penelope Charles attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Dove Cameron
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Dove Cameron attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Latto & Lu Kala
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Latto and Lu Kala backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Samantha Kirby Yoh & United Talent Agency Staff
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Samantha Kirby Yoh (center) and United Talent Agency staff members attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Chloe Bailey
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Chloe Bailey backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Jacqueline Saturn & Sylvia Rhone
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Jacqueline Saturn and Sylvia Rhone attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Chantel Jeffries
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Chantel Jeffries attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Kim Petras & TWICE
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Kim Petras and TWICE backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Mary Harrington, Kerri Edwards, Cris Lacy, Katie McCartney & Guests
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Mary Harrington (left), Kerri Edwards (third from left), Cris Lacy (third from right), Katie McCartney (second from right) and guests attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Helen Yu & Monika Tashman
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Helen Yu and Monika Tashman attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Ashlee Keating & Guest
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Ashlee Keating and guest attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Shenseea
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Shenseea attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Angelique Jones & Tiara Lewis
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Angelique Jones and Tiara Lewis attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Britney Davis
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Britney Davis attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Bozoma Saint John & Lael Saint John
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Bozoma Saint John and Lael Saint John attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Amber Grimes & Äyanna
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Amber Grimes and Äyanna attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Em Beihold
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Em Beihold attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Larsen Thompson
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Larsen Thompson attends the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Chloe Bailey
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Chloe Bailey backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Lana Del Rey
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Lana Del Rey greets fans at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Israel Houghton & Adrienne Bailon
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Israel Houghton and Adrienne Bailon attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Piper Perabo
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
Piper Perabo backstage at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
SZA’s parents
Image Credit: Flo Ngala
SZA’s parents attend the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on March 1, 2023.
Billboard celebrated the music industry’s most talented, impactful women at the 2023 Women in Music awards at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday (Mar. 1).
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Beyond honoring the 2023 Woman of the Year SZA and her many accomplishments — including her 10th week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with her latest album, SOS — artists like Ivy Queen, Rosalía, Lana Del Rey, Kim Petras, TWICE, Lainey Wilson, Doechii, Becky G and Latto were also honored with their own awards at the ceremony. Rosalía was the event’s first-ever Producer of the Year, Ivy Queen accepted the Icon Award, Lana Del Rey was the night’s Visionary, Kim Petras took home the Chartbreaker award, TWICE was the Breakthrough artist, Lainey Wilson was awarded the Rulebreaker honor, Doechii was honored as the Rising Star, Becky G accepted the Impact award and Latto was 2023’s Powerhouse.
“I really just want my life to be more than music,” SZA said during her unscripted, moving acceptance speech, “to be more than an artist. I want to serve others, I want to serve people, I want to be open and available for whatever God wants for me, and saying yes to everything that’s scary, to everything that feels like it’s not for you or where you don’t belong, is really the only way where we walk through those doors.”
She concluded with a powerful affirmation: “You just have to say yes to the possibility,” she said. “And thank y’all for saying yes to me.”
If you missed out on the official livestream, or just need another dose of inspiration, check out all of the 2023 Billboard Women in Music acceptance speeches below.
SZA (Woman of the Year)
Ivy Queen (Icon)
Lana Del Rey (Visionary)
Rosalía (Producer of the Year)
TWICE (Breakthrough)
Becky G (Impact)
Latto (Powerhouse)
Kim Petras (Chartbreaker)
Lainey Wilson (Rulebreaker)
Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music event took over the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday (Mar. 1), and the night was filled with love, support and celebration for the music industry’s most impactful women.
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Beyond honoring the 2023 Woman of the Year SZA and her many accomplishments — including her 10th week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with her latest album, SOS — artists like Rosalía, Lana Del Rey, Kim Petras, TWICE, Lainey Wilson, Doechii, Becky G and Latto were also honored with their own awards at the ceremony. Rosalía was the event’s first-ever Producer of the Year, Lana Del Rey was the night’s Visionary, Kim Petras took home the Chartbreaker award, TWICE was the Breakthrough artist, Lainey Wilson was awarded the Rulebreaker honor, Doechii was honored as the Rising Star, Becky G accepted the Impact award and Latto was 2023’s Powerhouse.
Additionally, a number of the star-studded honorees took the stage to deliver some incredible performances and celebrate their achievements.
If you happened to miss out on the official Women in Music livestream or you’re hoping to relive some of the night’s musical moments, we’ve got you covered. See below for all of the 2023 Billboard Women in Music onstage performances.
TWICE
Kim Petras
Becky G
Latto
Doechii
Lainey Wilson
The night before Billboard’s 2023 Women in Music Awards, we honored another collection of women in music: the top women producers.
At the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Top Producers Dinner on Tuesday night (Feb. 28), Chloë Bailey, TOKiMONSTA, Uniiqu3, Syd, MNDR, Suni, Malibu Babie, Kito, Ebonie Smith, Tiffany Miranda, Jenn Decilveo, Monique Winning, Yuli, INK, Jade Rose and more gathered at the Pendry Hotel in West Hollywood to celebrate their music and talk about the future of the profession for women. Producers who are women make up less than 3% of working producers today, so it’s time to inspire the next generation of women beatmakers.
You might know the names Chloë and TOKiMONSTA — Chloë is a singer/songwriter who also produces her own music, and TOKiMONSTA is a DJ and dance producer who has released projects under her own name — but oftentimes, no matter how high-profile the music they’re working on, producers’ names stay out of the limelight. That’s why this event, as well as the first-ever Women in Music Producer of the Year Award handed out to Rosalía at Wednesday’s ceremony, look to shine a light on the women already making strides in the studio to show young women that this is a viable career path.
As Rosalía said in her speech Wednesday night, “A producer’s job is a job in the shadow. … It’s not very fun – whoever tells you otherwise, they’re lying. It’s 15 hours a day, nonstop maybe, working on a sound. It comes from love, it comes from obsession maybe, and that’s why you stay in that small-ass room with no windows while everybody else around you is at home, just chilling, eating something nice, laughing, having sex, living life, just regular human cool sh–.”
Billboard president Mike Van, Billboard editorial director Hannah Karp and Billboard chief brand officer Dana Droppo led Tuesday’s dinner, sponsored by Splice and the Mechanical Licensing Collective.
See photos from the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Top Producers dinner below.
MNDR & TOKiMONSTA
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
MNDR and TOKiMONSTA photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Kito, Malibu Babie & Chloe Bailey
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Kito, Malibu Babie & Chloe Bailey photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Alisa Coleman
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
ASCAP’s Alisa Coleman photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Chloe Bailey
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Chloe Bailey photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Suni & Mike Van
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Suni and Billboard President Mike Van potographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Syd
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Syd photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Jenn Decilveo, Ellen Truly & Ebonie Smith
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Producer Jenn Decilveo, whose recent work includes White Reaper’s “Pages,” Mechanical Licensing Collective’s chief marketing officer Ellen Truly, producer Ebonie Smith, founder of Gender Amplified.
Jade Rose, Alisa Coleman & Elayna Kaylor
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Jade Rose (left), Alisa Coleman & ABKCO Music’s Elayna Kaylor (right) photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Tiffany Miranda
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Tiffany Miranda, producer and founder of the nonprofit Girls Make Beats, photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Kito, Chloe Bailey & Malibu Babie
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Producers Kito, Chloe Bailey and Malibu Babie photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Kakul Srivastava, INK & Moya Nkruma
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava, INK, and Splice’s artist marketing lead Moya Nkruma photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Hannah Karp
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Billboard editorial director Hannah Karp photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Monique Winning & Samanda Rivera
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Producer Monique Winning and Splice artist operations manager Samanda Rivera photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
MNDR & TOKiMONSTA
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
MNDR and Toki Monsta photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Mike Van, Alisa Coleman & Dana Droppo
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Mike Van, Alisa Coleman & Billboard chief brand officer Dana Droppo photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Yuli
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Yuli, co-producer of SZA’s “Blind,” photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Samanda Rivera, Kakul Savisatra & Syd
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Splice’s artist operations manager Samanda Rivera, Splice CEO Kakul Savisatra and Syd photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Frances McMahon, Suni & Kakul Srivastava
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Splice’s Frances McMahon, Suni & Splice CEO Kakul Srivastava photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Malibu Babie & Ebonie Smith
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Producers Malibu Babie and Ebonie Smith photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Hannah Karp
Image Credit: Brandon Todd
Hannah Karp photographed at Billboard’s Women in Music Top Producers Dinner held at the Pendry Hotel on Feb. 28, 2023 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Billboard‘s 2023 Women in Music event took place at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Wednesday (March 1), and brought out the several of the biggest and brightest stars who have cemented their impact within the music industry over the past year. In between acceptance speeches — Lana Del Rey, SZA, Rosalía were among the few to go home with an award — attendees were treated to performances from TWICE, Becky G, Kim Petras and more, but which was your favorite?
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After receiving the Breakthrough Artist Award, the K-pop stars delivered a stunning showcase of its second-ever English single, “Moonlight Sunrise,” expertly performing the track’s choreography in unison, much to the delight of ONCEs in the audience.
Becky G, recipient of the Impact Award, took to the stage to perform a solo rendition of her Karol G collab “Mamiii,” backed by a guitarist, percussionist and two backing vocalists. “Lo que no sirve, que no estorbe/ Te metiste autogol por torpe/ Te quedó grande este torque/ Ya no estoy pa que de mí te enamores, baby/ Sin visa ni pasaporte/ Mandé tu falso amor de vacaciones,” she sang in Spanish.
Kim Petras, who used her Chartbreaker Award acceptance speech to plead for women’s body autonomy, performed her recently released dark-pop banger “brrr” under a blanket of billowing fog.
Doechii, Latto and Lainey Wilson also graced the stage for Women in Music, but which performance was your favorite? Vote in our poll below.
The outpouring of love for 2023 Woman of the Year SZA at Wednesday night’s Billboard Women in Music Awards was the perfect example of the celebratory, overjoyed mood at the ceremony.
Not only did SZA have a very enthusiastic Coi Leray hyping up her many accomplishments this year and beyond — including her 10th week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with her latest album, SOS — but she also had a surprise video message from fellow superstar Lizzo, singing her praises (literally): She started the pre-recorded message by singing her favorite SZA song, “Warm Winds” from 2014’s Z.
“You are the real deal. You are such a genuine human being, a genuine artist, a poet, a songwriter, an emoter who’s a once-in-a-lifetime, once-in-a-generation talent,” Lizzo said, adding, “We don’t deserve you!”
SZA was one of many honorees at the Billboard Women in Music Awards, and below we’re remembering our favorite moments from the night. See the best moments from Lana Del Rey, TWICE, Rosalía and more here:
Kim Petras in the Crowd
Image Credit: Rich Polk/PMC
In addition to performing her latest single “Brrr” and being presented the Chartbreaker Award, Kim Petras was the MVP of the YouTube Theater crowd. She flitted among the VIP tables next to the stage to rub elbows with the other powerhouse women in attendance — including fellow German superstar Heidi Klum, who made sure to give Petras a hug before leaving the show – and danced enthusiastically for each intimate performance, especially the show-ending number “Moonlight Sunrise” from K-pop nonet TWICE, as you can see below.
Rosalía Gets Real About the Life of a Producer
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/PMC
The importance of receiving the first Women in Music Producer of the Year Award was not lost on Rosalía, and she used her speech to both encourage more women to join the field but also to not sugarcoat the reality of life in the studio. “A producer’s job is a job in the shadow. … It’s not very fun – whoever tells you otherwise, they’re lying. It’s 15 hours a day, nonstop maybe, working on a sound. It comes from love, it comes from obsession maybe, and that’s why you stay in that small-ass room with no windows while everybody else around you is at home, just chilling, eating something nice, laughing, having sex, living life, just regular human cool sh–.”
Doechii: A Star Is Born
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/PMC
If you went into Wednesday’s ceremony not knowing Doechii’s name, you definitely know it now. The Rising Star Award winner made the most of her time on the YouTube Theater stage, ripping through a frenetic mash-up of her songs “Persuasive” and “Crazy” and dancing with the energy of an arena or stadium show vs. to the 5,000-ish people lucky enough to be in the room. She performed so hard, in fact, that one of her shoes couldn’t survive the spectacle, so the first female TDE rapper had to limp over to the microphone to accept her award from her mother, Celesia Moore. “Girl, I done danced my shoe off!” she said with a laugh to kick off her speech.
A Bad Bunny Surprise, All for Ivy Queen
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When an introduction started for Billboard’s top artist of 2022, the crowd started murmuring about who could be the hitting the stage, but once the intro mentioned Puerto Rico, everyone knew: Bad Bunny was surprising the crowd. And it was all for reggaeton pioneer Ivy Queen, whom Bunny presented the Icon Award to with an all-Spanish speech. He said he is the artist he is today because he has a part of Ivy Queen in his musical DNA. “She gave me the strength to be myself and to work double,” he said. “As a fan of reggaetón, I’ve waited a long time for this moment, and I think that 2023 is the time where more female reggaeton artists exist, and I’m sure it’s because of the root that Ivy planted a long time ago.”
Lainey Wilson Is All ‘Heart’
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Country star Lainey Wilson might have stripped down her top five Country Airplay hit “Heart Like a Truck” for the Women in Music stage, but she didn’t strip away any of her impressive vocals for the performance, even sustaining one big power note in the chorus. And she also didn’t strip away any of her signature style, wearing a wide-brimmed black hat and gold-lamé spandex bell bottoms. “This sh– is not for the faint of heart,” she said later in her speech. “All the women who are coming on this stage and in this room here tonight being honored can testify.”
The Sisterhood of Latto & Chloe Bailey
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We knew they were collaborators, teaming up on “For the Night” last year, but now we also know what good friends Latto and Chloe Bailey are. Bailey presented Latto with the Powerhouse Award – calling her “a force to be reckoned with,” “an icon for young women everywhere” and “the personification of a powerhouse” — and the rapper squeezed the singer’s hand during her whole speech.
Becky G Comes Home
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Becky G was born and raised in Inglewood, Calif., so she was extra emotional to receive the Impact Award in her hometown. She talked about how she made a promise to her family and fans in her breakthrough “Becky From the Block” song (her interpretation of Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny From the Block”). “The promise wasn’t that I wouldn’t leave where I came from, but that I would take where I’m from wherever I go,” she said, explaining that as a Mexican-American, a “200 percenter,” she often feels not American enough for the U.S. and not Hispanic enough for Mexico. “Where we come from, that will always be in our hearts, but where we go, that’s up to us.”
Lana Del Rey Is ‘Happy’
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Accepting the Visionary Award from last year’s Billboard Woman of the Year Olivia Rodrigo, Lana Del Rey said she didn’t “exactly have a long-term vision at all, but if you were curious, I am very, very happy.” That hasn’t always been the case, as the quintessential sadgirl singer described a much less friendly time in the music industry when she first started. “I feel like being happy is the ultimate goal, so I did it,” she concluded.
TWICE Pandemonium
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Of all the moments and all the performances, there was nothing more showstopping than the sheer volume and enthusiasm of the TWICE fans in the YouTube Theater. Host Quinta Brunson made a running joke out of it, including telling the audience she wanted to try something and then whispered “TWICE” into her microphone, causing the fans to scream on cue. The nine-piece girl group accepted the Breakthrough Award from certified ONCE Sabrina Carpenter, with Chaeyoung saying during their speech: “This title Breakthrough Artist proves that if you confidently push for your dream, people who support you will always be your team, you will break through.” According to the vocal crowd on Wednesday night, they’ve definitely broken through in a big way.
Kim Petras would do unholy things to work with Madonna. While walking the red carpet at Billboard‘s 2023 Women in Music event Wednesday (March 1), the night’s Chartbreaker honoree gushed about her love for the Queen of Pop — who introduced Petras and Sam Smith’s performance at the Grammys in February — and revealed her hopes to work together in the future.
“I’m such a huge fan,” Petras told Entertainment Tonight. “I don’t know how good of a friend I can be to her because I’m just like, Confessions [on a Dance Floor], Ray of Light changed my life!’ Every time I see her, I just talk about her music and how much it means to me, but it’s just been the most incredible thing for me to get respected by Madonna, and for her to even know anything about me.”
When asked if their newfound friendship but someday turn into a collab, the “Unholy” singer said, “I would die to.” “I would die to have Madonna on anything, or be on anything Madonna, so yeah, absolutely,” she added.
Later that evening, Petras performed her latest single, “Brrr,” for the Women in Music crowd at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater before accepting the Chartbreaker Award, a moment that made her the first transgender woman to be honored at the annual event. “Growing up, I would question what rooms I would be put into and what boxes I would be put into — and I’m grateful it’s this one,” she said during her acceptance speech.
In January, the German dance-pop star became the first transgender artist to win a major category Grammy award when “Unholy,” her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 duet with Sam Smith, took home best pop duo-group performance. While accepting the Grammy, Petras gushed, “I don’t think I could be here without Madonna.”
Later that night, the “Material Girl” singer herself introduced Petras and Smith before their performance of “Unholy.” “So now, speaking of controversy, it gives me great pleasure to introduce two incredibly talented artists who have risen above the noise, the doubt, the critics into something beautifully unholy,” Madonna said. “Here are two Grammy award winners, Sam Smith and Kim Petras.”
