The Billboard Woman of the Year award is a coveted title. It’s a recognition of an artist’s impact on the charts, ability to sell out stadiums, and influence in the industry. But who will be this year’s Woman of the Year? The answer is still a mystery, but we have some clues.
Chart-Topping Queens
Several female artists have recently made significant chart history. ”Dido”, for instance, saw her album‘ Life For Rent’ top the U.K. Album Chart for ten weeks, cementing her status as one of the best-selling female artists ever. ”Lady Gaga’‘ also made waves with her debut album ‘The Fame,’ which topped the charts in the U.K. and the U.S., marking her as one of the most exciting new pop stars of the 21st century. And then there’s ”Adele”, whose second album ’21’ not only topped both the Top 40 singles and albums of the decade but also became the most significant album by a female artist.
The Billboard Criteria
Billboard uses several criteria to assess an artist’s impact on the charts. These include physical sales, downloads, and streams. In recent years, Billboard has changed weight-paid streams on services like Spotify over unpaid ones on Pandora for the Billboard 100 singles chart. For the Billboard 200, 1,500 streams of any song on one record equal one listen to that record. Artists are also getting strategic with their sales by selling their merchandise alongside concert tickets, T-shirts, and energy drinks.
Milestones and Achievements
There are several chart achievements or milestones that could influence the selection of an artist. These include the number of weeks at number one, the number of number-one songs an artist has, the number of consecutive number-one songs, and the longest climb to No. 1 on the charts. For example,” Tones and I” –“Dance Monkey” spent 24 weeks at number one, and ”The Beatles” had 14 consecutive number-one songs. These achievements are significant milestones in an artist’s career and can significantly influence their recognition and selection in the music industry.
Sold-Out Stadium Tours
Several female artists have recently sold out stadiums during their tours.” Beyoncé”, for instance, has sold out stadiums multiple times, including her Formation World Tour. She also embarked on the “On the Run” and “On the Run II” tours with Jay-Z, which were completely sold out.”Lady Gaga” is another artist known for her ability to sell out stadiums. More recently,” TWICE” a K-pop group, became the first female K-pop group to headline and sell out a stadium concert in the U.S.
The Power of a Nickname
Several female artists have popular nicknames in the music industry. For instance, **Madonna** is often called the “Queen of Pop”. **Rihanna**, born Robyn Rihanna Fenty, is known for her unique voice and versatile style. These nicknames, often given by fans or the media, indicate the significance of an artist and are often used metaphorically. They can reflect an artist’s influence, unique style, or dominance in a particular genre.
Trends and Movements Shaping the Choice
The music industry is witnessing a surge in female empowerment, with women topping charts and breaking barriers, but it’s not without its challenges. The underrepresentation of women in certain spheres could play a role in choosing the Woman of the Year, highlighting the triumphs over adversity.
The impact of cultural and social movements further shapes the selection. Artists participating in these movements may find themselves in the spotlight as their influence extends beyond music.
Emerging Stars
The horizon of talent is dynamic, and emerging artists are stepping into the limelight. Olivia Rodrigo, crowned Billboard’s 2022 “Woman of the Year,” SZA has officially been named Billboard‘s 2023 Woman of the Year. And Victoria Monét, the Rising Star in 2024, embodies the new wave of female artists making waves.
As we eagerly await the revelation of Billboard’s Woman of the Year, the mysterious aura surrounding the award adds to the anticipation. The clues are scattered across charts, stadiums, nicknames, and a legacy of impactful women. One thing is sure – the recipient will not only be a musical marvel but a force shaping the narrative of women in the music industry.
So, who will be this year’s Woman of the Year? The answer is still a mystery, but these clues give us an idea of the kind of artist who might take home the title. One thing is for sure: whoever she is, she will be a woman who has significantly impacted the music industry and inspired countless others with her talent and creativity.
