Janelle Monáe and Cyndi Lauper will be honored at Billboard's 13th annual Women in Music event on Dec. 6 in New York City. Monáe will accept the trailblazer award, while Lauper will receive the icon award.
“The entire world recognizes the power of Cyndi Lauper’s pop music, and just as crucially, she has used her undeniable talent to soar beyond music, create positive change in modern society and become a true Icon,” Billboard’s editorial director Jason Lipshutz says. “And Janelle Monáe’s insatiable drive to incorporate new, untold stories into her artistic projects -- while synthesizing classic funk, soul, R&B, jazz, hip-hop and rock -- makes her a truly unique voice. Popular music is more interesting today because Janelle Monáe is part of it.”