Lady Gaga Is Billboard's 'Rising Star' For Women In Music Event

Billboard announced today (Sept. 28) pop sensation Lady Gaga will be named its "Rising Star" at the 2009 Billboard Women In Music event, taking place on Oct. 2nd in New York City. The Billboard Rising Star Award rewards artists that have achieved a level of success and proven to have vast potential in the early stages of their career.

Lady Gaga is the undisputed break-out star of the year for many reasons, including the success of her debut album, "The Fame" (Streamline Records), which has spawned four Billboard Hot 100 hit singles like "Just Dance" and "Poker Face," both which reached No. 1 on the tally. "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" are also the Nos. 2 and 8 best-selling digital songs of all time, with 4.6 million and 4 million downloads, respectively.

Gaga recently became the third artist in the history of the Mainstream Top 40 Airplay chart to have three No. 1 singles from a debut album. "The Fame" is also the best-selling album from a debut artist for 2009, with 1,441,000 copies sold in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In addition to writing all the tracks on her album, Lady Gaga has previously written for Britney Spears, the Pussycat Dolls, and New Kids on the Block.

"Lady Gaga is one of those rare examples of a truly unique artist with mass appeal," says Bill Werde, Editorial Director of Billboard. "She has established herself as one of today's top songwriters, and the whole world is waiting to see what her next outrageous but brilliant move or style will be. It is that ongoing anticipation, combined with her success that makes her a rising star."

The Billboard Women in Music Event celebrates the most powerful and talented women in the music business, and is held in conjunction with the much-anticipated publication of Billboard's Women In Music Power Players List - recognizing the top female music executives who are leading the industry with their artistic and business vision.

Billboard will also honor Grammy Award-winning artist and pop culture icon Beyoncé with the coveted Billboard Woman of The Year Award at the event.