Andra Day to Receive 'Powerhouse' Award at Billboard Women In Music 2016
Andra Day, a vital voice in the singer-songwriter scene and dynamic live performer, will be honored as the recipient of the 'Powerhouse' award at Billboard's 2016 Women In Music event. Day will accept the award for her breathtaking vocal prowess and perform at the Dec. 9 event in New York City, which will be broadcast on Lifetime on Dec. 12.
Inspired by the raw, honest vocal greats of music history (everyone from Billie Holiday to Lauryn Hill), Day saw her 2015 debut album Cheers to the Fall nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2016 Grammy Awards and its single, "Rise Up," nominated for Best R&B Performance. The motivational "Rise Up" hit No. 6 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart and No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs chart, and serves as the theme song for the film We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World, which also stars Meryl Streep, Frieda Pinto and CNN’s Isha Sesay. In addition to performing at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, Day appeared with the legendary Stevie Wonder in an ad for Apple TV last year, performing "Someday at Christmas," which topped the Billboard & Clio Music Top Commercials chart. Day also earned three BET Awards and an NAACP Award this year.
“Andra Day’s voice, style, stage presence, music and lyrics combine in a way that makes her the very definition of a music powerhouse,” said Janice Min, president and chief creative officer of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group. “From ‘Rise Up’ to her chart-topping collaboration with Stevie Wonder, she continues to prove her seemingly limitless talent.”
Pandora Jewelry, the official jewelry sponsor of Billboard's Women in Music, is also partnering with Day for an event to celebrate the singer.
2016's Women in Music will also honor Madonna, Shania Twain and Halsey. Aside from Day, Halsey will also perform at the 11th annual ceremony. The star-studded event is held in conjunction with the publication of Billboard’s Women in Music list, which identifies the 50 most powerful female executives in the industry each year.
Madonna is 2016's Woman of the Year award recipient. Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour, which wrapped in March, solidified her status as one of the biggest touring acts of all time. Madonna sold more than 1 million tickets and walked away with $170 million. That makes her the highest grossing solo touring artist in Billboard Boxscore history (the archives go back to 1990) with a staggering $1.31 billion in total concert grosses.
Country legend Shania Twain will receive the 2016 Women in Music 'Icon' award, which celebrates an artist whose historic contributions to the music industry establish them among the highest class of performers. Chart-topping singer-songwriter Halsey is this year's Women in Music 'Rising Star,' recognized for her chart dominance and exceptional, unconventional talent.
