Shania Twain and Halsey are the latest honourees to be announced for the 11th annual Billboard Women In Music event, which recognizes prominent female game changers in the industry.
Twain will receive the 2016 Women in Music Icon award, which "celebrates an artist whose historic contributions to the music industry establish them among the highest class of performers," Halsey will be given this year's Rising Star title for her "chart dominance and exceptional, unconventional talent."
In a statement, Janice Min, president and chief creative officer of The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group, couldn't have had better words to describe how much Twain has been a pioneer for the country and pop scene.
“Shania Twain is a groundbreaking artist whose successful country-pop crossover blazed the trail for a new generation of country stars like Taylor Swift, Billboard’s 2014 Woman of the Year, and Carrie Underwood," she said. "She's fearless in her career, following her own path and pushing the boundaries of the country music genre as she creates music that has proven to be timeless.
"She is revered in the industry and we are honoured to present the Icon award to her.”
Min also emphasized how much Halsey stands out from her pack of pop peers. "[She] is the voice of a generation, someone who is an impassioned political advocate and personal artist, the kind who can have a No. 1 single, as she did with 'Closer,' and not at all be categorized as your typical pop star," she continued.
Less than two weeks ago, Billboard announced that the one and only Madonna will receive the 2016 Woman of the Year award, following a year that saw the trendsetter extend her record as the highest-grossing female artist of all time.
The Billboard Women In Music event goes down in New York City on Dec. 9.
Original article by James Dinh at iHeartRadio