Latest news with #BreakthroughAward
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billboard's Women in Music Awards Honors Doechii, Erykah Badu and More
'It's a night to celebrate the womb of the world… The womb of life,' Erykah Badu said, as she accepted the Icon award at Billboard's Women in Music event on Saturday. 'The wombiverse of all things. The smartest creature on planet earth. The wisest, the most invincible, sexiest, purist, finest – the woman.' Badu's speech also had a funny anecdote about 'the vagina' being the most important thing on the planet, but she made the biggest impression with her outfit, a 'full figure form' costume 'imagined' by herself and engineered and built by designer/artist Myah Hasbany. View the to see embedded media. The "booty suit," as Hasbany called it on her Instagram, lit up in strategic regions when Badu performed her classic, 'Annie,' live on stage, and it was a sight to behold in person, with some calling it a 'cultural reset' for stage performance and acceptance speech wasn't the only attention grabbing moment on stage at the event, which took place at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood. The annual event brings together women from the music industry (both recording artists and behind the scenes figures) to celebrate their achievements and impact. This year, producers, songwriters, managers, and even moms had their moment to shine alongside some of the biggest names in music. Tina Knowles, mom to Beyonce, Solange, and, as she addressed at the event, a mother figure to Kelly Rowland and the girls in Destiny's Child as well, spoke of her influence on the singing group when it got its start and exploded onto the music scene. 'Thank you Billboard for thinking about mothers because a lot of times we're forgotten,' Knowles said in her acceptance speech. 'There is no formal training class to prepare you for the most important job that you will ever have in your life. You will most likely screw up sometimes. I know I did…'Knowles also spoke of her input, both in terms of dress up and creative collaboration, noting that mothers are often a huge part of their kids' success. She dedicated her award to her mom, Agnes, and 'all the mothers who have supported their kids in their dreams.' Another heartfelt moment at the two hour event included Angela Aguilar, who received the Breakthrough Award and sang a rousing version of the Spanish-language classic 'Cielito Lindo' with female mariachis on stage behind her. The daughter of beloved Mexican singer Pepe Aguilar got emotional as she accepted her award stating that 'this year almost destroyed me,' speaking about immigrant women's 'sacrifice and resilience' and raising her voice for women 'whose voices don't always have a platform." She reminded the live and streaming audience (via Vizio TV) that despite adversity, her fellow Latinas will continue to move forward with hope and determination. Laverne Cox hosted the uplifting event Saturday and other honorees included GloRilla with the Powerhouse Award; Gracie Abrams with Songwriter of the Year Award; JENNIE (from Blackpink) with the Global Force Award; Megan Moroney with the Rulebreaker Award presented by Crown Royal Whisky; Meghan Trainor with the Hitmaker Award; Muni Long with Rising Star Award presented by Honda Stage and Tyla with the Impact Award presented by biggest excitement was audibly near the end of the night when K-pop sensation Aespa accepted their award for Group of the Year. The foursome also returned to the stage at the end of the show to close it out, which had their fanbase in the balcony seats screaming non-stop. Long, Moroney, Tyla and Abrams also performed. Disappointingly, recent Grammy winner, Doechii who took the last award of the evening honor, Billboard 2025's Woman of the Year Award, did not perform. Still, her speech was inspiring. It was just two years ago that the rapper accepted Billboard's Rising Star award, and she noted how far she's come, stating she lost her shoe that night performing and had to hop to the stage to accept it. "That moment really reflects how I've approached my entire career which is always go full out, always go hard and always be fab," she said, addressing her full circle perspective. "I stand here as a serious ally."Doechii also noted that "lack of inclusion and sexism are unfortunately still an issue in this industry," adding that events like Saturday's awards are still much needed. "This is our m*therf*cking night to come together and acknowledge each other, to support each other and to celebrate!" Check out the red carpet fashion below (photos courtesy of Billboard) and more extensive recaps of the event at View the 15 images of this gallery on the original article Get the latest news delivered to your inbox daily! Sign up for Los Angeles Magazine's The Daily Brief below or click here.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Billboard Women In Music 2025: See the Backstage Portraits
This year's Billboard Women in Music took over the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., on Saturday (March 29), and it was the ultimate celebration of the brightest stars in the industry. Artist honorees at this year's star-studded event included Doechii, receiving the Woman of the Year Award, as well as 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). Global Women of the Year are ANNA (Billboard Italy Woman of the Year) and Charlotte Cardin (Billboard Canada Woman of the Year). More from Billboard ROSÉ & Bruno Mars' 'APT.' Notches Record-Extending 19th Week at No. 1 on Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Chart R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks of the Week: YG, Mahalia, Amerie, Coco Jones, Ivory Scott & More JENNIE Thanks Doechii & BLACKPINK Bandmates While Accepting Global Force at Billboard Women in Music 2025 While accepting her Woman of the Year trophy, Doechii called it 'a full-circle moment,' as she previously accepted the Rising Star honor a few years before. 'This is our motherf–king night to rightfully come together to acknowledge each other, support each other and to celebrate,' she said during her powerful speech. 'We are the creators, we are the executives, we are the innovators who are just as central to this industry as the men. Clock it.' Tina Knowles, mother to Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, also accepted the inaugural presentation of the Mother of the Year honor. This year's presenters included Becky G, Kali Chis, Madison Beer, Julia Michaels, Lauren Jauregui, Mickey Guyton, Suki Waterhouse, Summer Walker, Tanner Adell, Victoria Monét and Zara Larsson. Many of the stars in attendance stopped by the backstage photo booth to take stunning portraits against red and black backgrounds. See all the photos exclusively via Billboard below. Best of Billboard Drake's Historic Chart Week: How He Matched The Beatles' 57-Year-Old Record How Elton John Keeps Up His Hot 100 Hot Streak With Dua Lipa Duet 'Cold Heart' Pink's 'All I Know So Far' Has Us Looking Back at the History of Live Music on the Charts
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ángela Aguilar dedicates Billboard Breakthrough Award to immigrants: 'You deserve safety'
INGLEWOOD, Calif. − After a year that "almost broke me," Mexican American musician Ángela Aguilar is speaking her truth. Aguilar, 21, who received the Breakthrough Award at Billboard's Women in Music event Saturday, addressed the public scrutiny over her husband Christian Nodal. The singer was criticized after her relationship with Nodal, who had recently split from Argentinian singer Cazzu, became public last summer. Onstage while receiving her award, she said the honor meant a lot to her "because this year almost broke me." "I have had to stand onstage and sing through the tears and I have had to carry the weights of judgment and speculation of a story that I have not even told, and a story that has never hit my voice," Aguilar, daughter of singer Pepe Aguilar, said. "And yet, here I am. I'm still singing, I'm still standing. Because music is who I am." Speaking through roars of applause, Aguilar remembered a lesson her late grandmother Flor Silvestre, a singer and actor of the golden age of Mexican cinema, taught her: "She taught me that you can fight in silence and that music speaks way louder than what other people say. "To every young girl watching this, wondering if she should make herself smaller to fit in to someone's ideas about who they are, don't. In this world, they'll try to write your story for you; don't let them," she said. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Her father, brother and fellow collaborator Leonardo Aguilar, mother Aneliz Alvarez-Alcala and her husband Nodal looked on proudly at the singer from their seats. (Gracie Abrams, Songwriter of the Year honoree, was also on her feet, applauding Aguilar during the many standing ovations during her speech.) Ángela Aguilar dedicates award to immigrant women The "Dime Cómo Quieres" also used her platform to acknowledge immigrant women and "raise my voice for the women whose voices are not always given a stage." Aguilar dedicated her award "for the women who leave behind everything they know crossing borders with nothing but hope in their hearts, only to find themselves living in uncertainty and fear," she continued, her voice growing faint against the constant cheers and applause from the audience. "For the immigrant women in the country who work tirelessly building and nurturing, sacrificing, and yet still remain unseen, unheard and unprotected, this one is for you. "I see you. I honor you. You deserve safety, dignity, the right to dream," Aguilar said, fighting back tears. "And if my voice and my music and my presence on this stage can remind you that you are not invisible, then I will sing for you every single time." Before her speech, former Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui introduced Aguilar to the stage for a special rendition of "Cielito Lindo" with an all-women mariachi band. Aguilar spoke to USA TODAY on the Billboard blue carpet about using her voice to empower the Mexican American and Latino community. "Seeing the injustices that are happening doesn't sit well with me, and if I can do something about it, and if I can give something back to my people, I'm always going to be doing that," she said. Ángela Aguilar teases new music and what fans can expect Aguilar, who released her album "Bolero" in February 2024, is working on new music. "I'm so excited, this is my first time producing my album. My father has always produced my albums, and this is the first time I'm doing it by myself, so it gives me a big sense of respect for what he used to do. It's much harder than what I thought it was going to be, but I've been writing a lot, I've been listening to a lot of new music and this new chapter of my life talks about just that." At 9, Aguilar released her first album, "Nueva Tradición," with her older brother Leonardo. At 15, she released her first solo album, "Primero Soy Mexicana," which earned her a Grammy Award nomination and two Latin Grammy Award nominations. At the time, she became one of the youngest artists to be nominated for either award. These days, Aguilar also co-headlines the "Jaripeo Sin Fronteras" (Rodeo without Borders) tours with her father, brother and uncle Antonio Jr., cementing their place as La Dinastía Aguilar (The Aguilar Dynasty).
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ángela Aguilar dedicates Billboard Breakthrough Award to immigrants: 'You deserve safety'
Ángela Aguilar dedicates Billboard Breakthrough Award to immigrants: 'You deserve safety' INGLEWOOD, Calif. − After a year that "almost broke me," Mexican American musician Ángela Aguilar is speaking her truth. Aguilar, 21, who received the Breakthrough Award at Billboard's Women in Music event Saturday, addressed the public scrutiny over her husband Christian Nodal. The singer was criticized after her relationship with Nodal, who had recently split from Argentinian singer Cazzu, became public last summer. Onstage while receiving her award, she said the honor meant a lot to her "because this year almost broke me." "I have had to stand onstage and sing through the tears and I have had to carry the weights of judgment and speculation of a story that I have not even told, and a story that has never hit my voice," Aguilar, daughter of singer Pepe Aguilar, said. "And yet, here I am. I'm still singing, I'm still standing. Because music is who I am." Speaking through roars of applause, Aguilar remembered a lesson her late grandmother Flor Silvestre, a singer and actor of the golden age of Mexican cinema, taught her: "She taught me that you can fight in silence and that music speaks way louder than what other people say. "To every young girl watching this, wondering if she should make herself smaller to fit in to someone's ideas about who they are, don't. In this world, they'll try to write your story for you; don't let them," she said. Her father, brother and fellow collaborator Leonardo Aguilar, mother Aneliz Alvarez-Alcala and her husband Nodal looked on proudly at the singer from their seats. (Gracie Abrams, Songwriter of the Year honoree, was also on her feet, applauding Aguilar during the many standing ovations during her speech.) More: Ranchera royalty Ángela Aguilar follows 'in the footsteps of my dad' Pepe, but could also be its future Ángela Aguilar dedicates award to immigrant women The "Dime Cómo Quieres" also used her platform to acknowledge immigrant women and "raise my voice for the women whose voices are not always given a stage." Aguilar dedicated her award "for the women who leave behind everything they know crossing borders with nothing but hope in their hearts, only to find themselves living in uncertainty and fear," she continued, her voice growing faint against the constant cheers and applause from the audience. "For the immigrant women in the country who work tirelessly building and nurturing, sacrificing, and yet still remain unseen, unheard and unprotected, this one is for you. "I see you. I honor you. You deserve safety, dignity, the right to dream," Aguilar said, fighting back tears. "And if my voice and my music and my presence on this stage can remind you that you are not invisible, then I will sing for you every single time." Before her speech, former Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui introduced Aguilar to the stage for a special rendition of "Cielito Lindo" with an all-women mariachi band. Aguilar spoke to USA TODAY on the Billboard blue carpet about using her voice to empower the Mexican American and Latino community. "Seeing the injustices that are happening doesn't sit well with me, and if I can do something about it, and if I can give something back to my people, I'm always going to be doing that," she said. Ángela Aguilar teases new music and what fans can expect Aguilar, who released her album "Bolero" in February 2024, is working on new music. "I'm so excited, this is my first time producing my album. My father has always produced my albums, and this is the first time I'm doing it by myself, so it gives me a big sense of respect for what he used to do. It's much harder than what I thought it was going to be, but I've been writing a lot, I've been listening to a lot of new music and this new chapter of my life talks about just that." At 9, Aguilar released her first album, "Nueva Tradición," with her older brother Leonardo. At 15, she released her first solo album, "Primero Soy Mexicana," which earned her a Grammy Award nomination and two Latin Grammy Award nominations. At the time, she became one of the youngest artists to be nominated for either award. These days, Aguilar also co-headlines the "Jaripeo Sin Fronteras" (Rodeo without Borders) tours with her father, brother and uncle Antonio Jr., cementing their place as La Dinastía Aguilar (The Aguilar Dynasty).
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Doechii named Billboard's 2025 Woman of the Year
March 10 (UPI) -- Grammy-winning rapper Doechii was named Billboard's 2025 Woman of the Year on Monday. She will be presented with the honor at a ceremony March 29 at YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif. Laverne Cox will host the event, which is to stream live on Vizio WatchFree+ at 10 p.m. EDT. Other artists who will be honored during the gala include 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); Meghan Trainor (Hitmaker Award); Muni Long (Rising Star Award) and Tyla (Impact Award).
