Apple will launch the Apple Music Awards at the Steve Jobs Theater later today (December 4), celebrating major achievements in the music industry, tying it into its streaming service.
The company announced yesterday that the Apple Music Awards would celebrate “the best and boldest musicians of 2019 and the enormous impact they have had on global culture this year.”
“The Apple Music Awards honor achievements in music across five distinct categories and winners are chosen through a process that reflects the service’s editorial perspective, combined with what customers around the world are loving most,” Apple added in a press release.
Rather than allowing fans to vote for the awards, winners are chosen by Apple Music’s global editorial team of experts and tastemakers.
They’re “given to artists who have a true passion for their craft, who boldly defy conventions in the category and who embody a sense of humanity, where listeners are drawn as much to who they are as to their music.”
Speaking of the new awards, Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and International Content, said: “The Apple Music Awards are designed to recognize the passion, energy, and creativity of the world’s favorite artists.
“The musically diverse group of inaugural winners have sparked deep social conversation, influenced culture and inspired our customers around the world. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate them.”
Billie Eilish has been named Artist of the Year, whilst she and her brother FINNEAS are named as Songwriters of the Year.
Lizzo has been named Breakthrough Artist of the Year, and Lil Nas X wins the award for Song of the Year with Old Town Road. All four artists will be celebrated at today’s event.
And it wouldn’t be an Apple award ceremony without some beautiful awards.
The company has unveiled a series of awards to “celebrate the extraordinary craftsmanship integral to creating music,” featuring Apple’s custom silicon wafer suspended between a polished sheet of glass and a machined and anodized aluminum body – a truly stunning feat of engineering.
Catch a live-streamed performance by Billie Eilish at the Steve Jobs Theater on December 4 at 6:30 p.m. PST around the world (via Apple.com, Apple TV, and more) and check back soon for more coverage on the Apple Music Awards, right here at AppleMagazine.com.
