In December, Apple announced its first Apple Music Awards. Billy Eilish took top honors as artist of the year. Apple Music award winners went on to win big at the Grammy’s and Oscars.

On December 4th, Apple introduced its new Apple Music awards with a live celebration and global, live-streamed performance by Billie Eilish at the Steve Jobs Theater. Earlier in the year, Apple rebranded its beloved iTunes Store into Apple Music. The new Apple Music Awards celebrate music achievements across five categories. Winners are hand picked and selected by Apple Music editors based on originality, passion for craft with feedback from customer favorites all over the world.

Billie Eilish, first discovered by Platoon in 2018, took the top honor as Global Artist of the Year — something that was repeated when the young musician went on to win top awards at the Grammy’s and Oscars subsequently this year. The awards for both Album of the Year and Song of the Year were chosen based on streaming data and based on what Apple Music customers listened to repeatedly in 2019.

Eighteen-year-old Billy is easy to relate to and her debut album “WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?” that was co-written and produced by her brother, Finneas, became a worldwide favorite and the most played album on Apple Music in 2019. This led to sold out concerts at many festivals from Coachella to Glastonbury, appearing on “Saturday Night Live,” and going on to perform notably at the Grammy’s and Oscars. Billy’s distinctive style and boldness also appeals to a broad swath of people, inspiring new hair styles and outfits across generations. Billy and Finneas’ success is even more remarkable given that they composed and recorded their music at home.

“WHEN WE FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?” also won Apple Music’s Album of the Year as the most streamed album of 2019 with more than a billion streams on Apple Music. Billie and her brother Finneas, also shared the award for Songwriter of the Year.

Raking in the Grammy’s

Billy Eilish and her brother Finneas went on to rake five Grammy Award each for Best Album, Best Record, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Song, along with Nominee for Pop Solo Performance.

Lizzo Wins Breakthrough Artist of the Year

Rap and soul singer Lizzo joyful music had already received eight Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year for “Cuz I Love You” prior to her Apple Music award for Breakout Artist of the Year. She went on to win four Grammy awards — Pop Solo Performance, Urban Contemporary Album, Traditional R&B Performance, Song and was nominated for four more Grammy awards — Album, New Artist, Record and R&B performance

Lil Nas X Wins Song of the Year for “Old Town Road”

The most played single of the year on Apple Music, “Old Town Road” became a viral sensation and established Lil Nas X overnight. The artist went on to win two Grammy Awards for both Music Video and Pop Duo/Group Performance and was nominated for four more awards — Album, New Artist, Record and Rap/Sung Performance.

The Apple Music award itself is beautiful with Apple’s custom silicon wafer suspended between a polished glass sheet and a machined and anodized aluminum body.