Billie Eilish Named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for the Second Time
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In 2019, Apple unveiled its first-ever Apple Music Awards, naming Billie Eilish its Global Artist of the Year. Now, it’s honoring the singer-songwriter again in the same way for this year’s Apple Music Awards.
This marks the first time an artist has won the top honor twice. Although that’s arguably not saying too much for an award with a five-year history, it’s still a significant accomplishment for Eilish, who Apple says has made an “extraordinary impact throughout 2024.”
Following a historic second Academy Award win and two additional GRAMMY Awards for her contribution to Greta Gerwig’s feature-length film Barbie, “What Was I Made For?,” Billie released her third full-length album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. At once vulnerable and bold, it’s the sound of a generational artist taking a massive leap forward — and the best music of her career. Upon release, the album soared to No. 1 on Apple Music’s all-genre albums chart in 138 countries worldwide.
Eilish and Apple have enjoyed a close working relationship since she received her first award in 2019, with Apple bankrolling a $25 million documentary on the artist, Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, in partnership Interscope Films, Darkroom, This Machine, and Lighthouse Management & Media. While it was initially expected to be an Apple Music or Apple TV+ streaming production, it ultimately got a theatrical release.
Since day one, Apple Music has supported my music and artistry, and I am both honored and humbled to receive this recognition as Artist of the Year this many years into my career.Billie Eilish
In addition to her Apple Music win, Eilish has been nominated for seven more Grammy awards, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. Her 2019 debut album, WHEN WE FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? which netted her Apple’s inaugural Artist of the Year award and also Album of the Year in 2019, continues to be popular on Apple Music, hitting number 30 on Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums of All Time in May. However, it’s Eilish’s evolution from teen phenom to established artist that’s captured the attention of the Apple Music team.
From the moment we first heard ‘Ocean Eyes’ nearly a decade ago, we’ve been fans and champions of Billie’s work. It’s always special when a young artist can connect with so many people so quickly. But what’s been truly remarkable about watching her evolve over the course of this last year isn’t just that her voice and artistry have continued to resonate so widely. It’s that she’s blossomed as bravely and honestly as she has — on her own terms, in her own way.Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s senior director of Content and Editorial
Billie Eilish’s entire catalog is naturally available on Apple Music in Spatial Audio, with her more influential works available from the Apple Music Awards page, along with several interviews by Apple Music 1 Creative Director Zane Lowe and others. You can also see Apple’s full Best of 2024 Playlist, selected by the Apple Music editorial team, which opens with Eilish’s BIRDS OF A FEATHER and is rounded out with an eclectic collection of hits by Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, Eminem, The Weeknd, and more.
