The winners of the 2021 Apple Music Award were announced today by Apple. The Apple Music Award is an annual award that recognizes the greatest artists who have succeeded with their songs throughout the year. The Weeknd is named Artist of the Year in the third Apple Music Awards, with Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R., and Wizkid.
Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Top Song of the Year, and Top Album of the Year are among the five categories recognized by the Apple Music Awards, and winners are chosen through a process that represents both Apple Music’s editorial point of view and what customers around the world are listening to the most.
This year’s Apple Music Awards will include a new Regional Artist of the Year category, which will honor artists from five countries and regions: Africa, France, Germany, Japan, and Russia. The Regional Artist of the Year awards recognize artists who have had the greatest cultural and commercial effect in their home countries and regions.
“The past 12 months have proved to be a remarkable year for music, and we’re thrilled to honor the artists who are shaping culture and connecting with fans around the world on Apple Music,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats. “This year we’re also recognizing more regional artists, showing the world the impact of extraordinary talented musicians who are making waves globally.”
The Apple Music Awards will begin streaming on Apple Music and the Apple TV app on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, with interviews, original content, and more.
Each Apple Music Award features Apple’s custom silicon wafer suspended between a polished sheet of glass and a machined and anodized aluminum body.
Global Artist of the Year: The Weeknd
“I’m so grateful for this huge honor and want to thank Apple for all its support, not only for my work but also for great music by newer artists, where it matters so much for creators to be found and supported,” The Weeknd said.
Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year: Olivia Rodrigo
“I did my first interview for ‘drivers license’ with Apple Music, and so much has happened since then,” Rodrigo said. “It’s truly surreal. Thank you to Apple Music for these amazing awards.”
Songwriter of the Year: H.E.R.
“I am very honored and blessed to receive this recognition,” H.E.R. said. “As a young Black and Filipino artist, and a woman who is on the stage giving my all, there’s no doubt that representation is important. Thank you so much, Apple Music.”
Artist of the Year (Africa): Wizkid
“Thank you to Apple Music for this award,” Wizkid said. “It’s a blessing to get to do what I do, and I’m proud to be representing for Africa.”
Artist of the Year (France): Aya Nakamura
“I am extremely honored to be the very first Francophone artist to win an Apple Music Award as Artist of the Year (France),” Nakamura said. “Thank you, Apple!”
Artist of the Year (Germany): RIN
“2021 was such a good year for me because it has borne a lot of fruit of things that I postponed for a long time,” RIN said. “My music has evolved in the same sense. I am much more personal.”
Artist of the Year (Japan): OFFICIAL HIGE DANDISM
“We didn’t know Japanese artists could win this award and were shocked when we were told,” the band said. “We’re super happy to be the winners of the first Apple Music Award for Artist of the Year (Japan).”
Artist of the Year (Russia): Scriptonite
“This award is the culmination of an incredible few years, and Apple Music has been with me for so much of it along the way,” Scriptonite said. “Thank you for the recognition.”
