Milan reconfirmed itself as Italy’s capital of music by hosting the first Italian (and European) edition of Billboard Women In Music, the award ceremony that celebrates the most influential women in the music industry.
Kickstarting Fashion Week, the event took place Monday (Sept. 16) at Teatro Manzoni, with the patronage of the Municipality of Milan and Camera della Moda, the association of Italian fashion brands.
Opened by a video message from the mayor Giuseppe Sala, the show was hosted by two protagonists of Italian cinema and TV, Cristiana Capotondi and Maurizio Lastrico. With their sympathy and energy, the two hosts introduced the honorees and the special guests who took the stage.
In addition to the awards, the first edition of Billboard Italia Women in Music also saw special performances by Gaia (Hitmaker of the Year, who sang her summer hit, “Sesso e Samba”), emerging talent Bu Cuaron, Federica Abbate (Songwriter of the Year, who sang a medley of some of the biggest hits she wrote for others) and Ariete.
At the end of the show, Rinascente, Italy’s top luxury store and one of the main partners of Billboard Italia Women In Music, welcomed guests to a spectacular party on the rooftop of the iconic store in Piazza Duomo, where the music continued with DJ sets by Anfisa Letyago (DJ of the Year) and Margherita Grechi and live performances by Alexia and Gaia, who sang “Sesso e Samba” again but this time with the surprise participation of Tony Effe.
Bu Cuarons on September 16 during the first Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music.
Elena Di Vincenzo
In addition to Rinascente itself, the sponsors were Rabanne and Bellissima, which presented the “Stylist of the Year” award.
Radio 105 was the official radio station of Billboard Italia Women in Music and presented the “Hitmaker of The Year” award, in addition to animating both the event at Teatro Manzoni and the aftershow with its speakers and DJs.
Billboard Italia Women in Music was created with the support of the collecting society SIAE (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori) and produced in collaboration with Vivo Concerti, with direction by Gianlorenzo Mortgat. Ticketmaster Italia was the ticketing partner of the event.
Below is the complete list of honorees, with the official reasons for their respective awards.
ANNA, Woman of the Year
Her new album, Vera Baddie, broke several records, some unbeaten for almost 20 years, occupying the first place in the Italian chart for nine consecutive weeks. Since 2020, she has been breaking down the gender gap in Italian rap like never before.
Laura Pausini, Icon
She’s the artist who, more than anyone else, in her 30-year career, has held the flag of Italian music high in the world. A globally recognized talent, Pausini is an artist who, despite having achieved all possible goals, never stops putting herself on the line.
Elodie, Performer of the Year
Her tour in the arenas was explosive and entirely sold out, with a live show that was a manifesto of freedom. With two dates in the stadiums already scheduled for next summer in Milan and Naples, she will be the third Italian female artist to take the stage of San Siro Stadium and the first woman to perform at the Maradona Stadium.
Gaia on September 16 during the first Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music.
Elena Di Vincenzo
Gaia, Hitmaker of the Year by Radio 105
An artistic vision that leaves nothing to chance and steals nothing from her naturalness. Gaia is synonymous with freedom of expression, in music but not only. This summer she was an absolute protagonist with “Sesso e Samba” feat. Tony Effe. That refrain is exactly what we can’t get out of our heads.
Rose Villain, Impact Award
From her debut album Radio Gotham onwards, she has established herself on the Italian charts. Rose Villain has never stopped expressing her opinions, from the topic of environmental sustainability to that of the inequality of treatment between men and women in music and all other professional sectors.
BigMama on September 16 during the first Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music.
Camilla Pisoni
BigMama, Breakthrough
With an explosive participation in the Sanremo Festival, where she honored women with a performance in which the key words were “sisterhood” and “female power,” Italy was able to get to know her music and her personality better. BigMama is the most disruptive revelation of 2024.
Clara, Rising Star
A rising star of Italian music, she introduced us to her talent as a singer and as an actress, obtaining impressive results in a very short time, from the success of the TV series Mare Fuori to her participation in the Sanremo Festival. For this reason, Clara is the Rising Star at Billboard Italia Women in Music.
Federica Abbate on September 16 during the first Italian edition of Billboard Women in Music.
Camilla Pisoni
Federica Abbate, Songwriter of the Year
How many hits of the last few years in Italy bear her signature? Many. Federica Abbate is a singer-songwriter who a year ago published her first album of unreleased songs, Canzoni per gli Altri. From pop to rap, everything her pen touches turns to gold. Or rather platinum, and in one case, even diamond.
Anfisa Letyago, DJ of the Year
A true pride of the Italian electronic scene, Anfisa Letyago has climbed to the top of the international dance scene with her engaging DJ sets and her sophisticated productions. Now she is touring the world but her heart stays in Naples, a city that never ceases to give her ideas and inspiration.
Marta Salogni, Producer of the Year
She’s the producer and sound engineer who makes Italy proud on a global level. Björk, Depeche Mode, Animal Collective and Bon Iver are just some of the artists who have had the pleasure of having her in the control room. For this reason, Marta Salogni is Producer of the Year of Billboard Italia Women in Music.
Marta Donà, Manager of the Year
From the courageous choice to start a managerial career on her own, very young, in 2012, to the most recent milestone of Angelina Mango’s victory at the Sanremo Festival, from the strength of her all-female team to the passion she puts in her work: this is why Marta Donà is Manager of the Year of Billboard Italia Women in Music.
Sara Potente, A&R of the Year
She discovered new talents of Italian music and with determination worked alongside them until she achieved the success she deserved. Now she is the director of Numero Uno, the historic label (part of Sony Music Italy) that was founded by legendary Lucio Battisti and songwriter Mogol.
Ramona Tabita, Stylist of the Year by Bellissima
She takes care of the image of some of the most important protagonists of the Italian music scene and beyond. She is a creative consultant for several brands. She is undoubtedly the name that best embodies the connection between music and fashion, and that is why Ramona Tabita is Stylist of the Year by Bellissima.
